Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
ively, change the snap spacing frequently — changing to a smaller spacing as you
zoom in and work on smaller areas.
You can switch between
Grid Snap
(that is, snap points in rows and columns) and
PolarSnap
(snap points based on distances and angles) by using the Snap Mode
button's shortcut menu. See the PolarSnap item later in this list for more info.
Ortho:
Ortho mode forces the crosshairs to move horizontally or vertically
relative to the current coordinate system's X- and Y-axes. Click the Ortho Mode
button (ORTHO for text buttons) on the status bar or press F8 to toggle Ortho
mode. Because technical drawings often include lots of orthogonal lines, you may
use Ortho mode a lot — but take a close look at polar tracking as well.
Direct distance entry (DDE):
This point-and-type technique is an easy and efficient
way to draw with precision. You simply point the crosshairs in a particular direc-
tion, type a distance value at the command line, and press Enter. You can use DDE
any time the crosshairs are anchored to a point, and the command line or Dynam-
ic Input tooltip prompts you for another point or a distance.
You'll usually use DDE with Polar Tracking turned on to specify distances in partic-
ular directions (for example, in angle increments of 45 degrees). You can also com-
bine DDE with Ortho mode to specify a distance in an orthogonal direction (0, 90,
180, or 270 degrees).
Object Snap Tracking:
This feature extends running object snaps so that
you can locate points based on more than one object snap point. For example, you
can define a point at the center of a square by tracking to the midpoints of two
perpendicular sides. Click Object Snap Tracking on the status bar (if you're show-
ing text instead of icons, this button is labeled OTRACK — which has nothing at all
to do with the Irish railway system) or press F11 to toggle Object Snap Tracking.
Polar Tracking:
When you turn on Polar Tracking, the crosshairs jump to
increments of the angle you specified in the Drafting Settings dialog box or chose
on the right-click menu. When the crosshairs jump, a tooltip label starting with
Polar:
appears. Right-click the Polar Tracking button on the status bar (POLAR
on buttons that show text labels) and choose the Settings option to display the
Polar Tracking tab on the Drafting Settings dialog box. Select an angle from the In-
crement Angle drop-down list and then click OK. Click the Polar Tracking button
on the status bar or press F10 to toggle Polar Tracking mode.
