The 2D drawing aids

Now that we know how to draw lines and circles, we will investigate the aids which are available to the user. AutoCAD 2006 has several 2D drawing aids which are generally toggled on/off using the status bar buttons and include: 1

Grid a) 

allows the user to place a series of imaginary dots over the drawing area

b) 

the grid spacing can be altered by the user at any time while the drawing is being constructed

c) 

as the grid is imaginary, it does not appear on the final plot.

2

Snap a) 

allows the user to set the on-screen cursor to a pre-determined point on the screen

b) 

the snap spacing can be altered at any time by the user

c) 

when the snap and grid are set to the same value, the term grid lock is often used.

3

Ortho a) 

an aid which allows only horizontal and vertical movement of the on-screen cursor

4

Polar tracking a) 

allows objects to be drawn at specific angles along an alignment path

b) 

the user can alter the ‘polar angle’ at any time.

5

Object Snap a) 

the user can set a snap relative to a pre-determined geometry

b) 

this drawing aid will be discussed in detail in a later chapter.

6

Dynamic Input a) 

provides tooltip display information near the on-screen cursor

b) 

this information is updated as the cursor moves

c) 

the tooltip allows the user direct keyboard entry.