In AutoCAD, the UCS (User Coordinate System) icon provides a visual representation of the coordinate system in a 3D space. By default, the UCS icon is displayed as a 3D arrow that indicates the X, Y, and Z axes.
However, there may be instances when you want to switch to a 2D UCS icon for better visualization or ease of use. In this tutorial, we will explore how to change your UCS 3D icon to a 2D icon in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Accessing the UCS Icon Options
To begin with, locate the “UCS” command in AutoCAD’s ribbon or type “UCS” into the command line. Press Enter to activate the command.
Using Ribbon:
If you prefer using the ribbon interface, navigate to the “Home” tab and select “UCS” from the “Coordinates” panel.
Using Command Line:
If you favor using command line inputs instead, simply type “UCS” and hit Enter.
Step 2: Changing UCS Icon Type
After activating the UCS command, you will see a dialog box labeled “UCS.” In this dialog box, locate and click on the “Icon” tab. This tab provides options for customizing your UCS icon appearance.
Step 3: Selecting a 2D Icon Style
In the “Icon” tab of the UCS dialog box, you will find multiple options for choosing different styles of UCS icons. To switch from a 3D icon to a 2D icon, select one of the available options that represent a two-dimensional representation of your coordinate system.
- Box: This option displays a rectangular box as the UCS icon.
- Circle: This option displays a circular shape as the UCS icon.
- Dot: This option displays a simple dot as the UCS icon.
Select the desired 2D icon style by clicking on it. The preview on the right side of the dialog box will update to reflect your selection.
Step 4: Applying the Changes
Once you have selected a 2D icon style, click on the “OK” button to apply the changes and close the UCS dialog box. The UCS icon in your AutoCAD workspace will now be displayed as a 2D representation according to your chosen style.
Additional Tips
- To restore the default 3D UCS icon, simply repeat steps 1-4 and select “3D” or “World” from the UCS Icon options in step 3.
- To temporarily hide or turn off the UCS icon, use the “UCSFOLLOW” command and set its value to “0”.
Congratulations! You have successfully changed your UCS 3D icon to a 2D icon in AutoCAD.
By customizing your workspace, you can enhance your productivity and work more efficiently according to your preferences. Experiment with different styles and find what works best for you!
I hope this tutorial has been helpful in guiding you through this process. Happy designing!