AutoCAD is a powerful software used by architects, engineers, and designers to create precise 2D and 3D drawings. One of the useful features in AutoCAD is the polar tracking, which helps users align objects or draw lines at specific angles.
However, there may be instances when you want to turn off polar tracking to have more control over your drawing. In this tutorial, we will explore how to turn off polar tracking in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Accessing the Drafting Settings
To turn off polar tracking in AutoCAD, you need to access the drafting settings. You can do this by following these steps:
- Step 1.1: Open AutoCAD and open a new or existing drawing.
- Step 1.2: In the status bar at the bottom of the screen, click on the icon that looks like a grid and a polar coordinate system.
Step 2: Turning Off Polar Tracking
Once you have accessed the drafting settings, follow these steps to turn off polar tracking:
- Step 2.1: In the Drafting Settings dialog box that appears, click on the “Polar Tracking” tab.
- Step 2.2: Uncheck the box next to “Polar Tracking” to disable it.
Note:
If you want to temporarily disable polar tracking without turning it off completely, you can also use the shortcut key “F10”. Pressing “F10” once will toggle polar tracking on or off, making it convenient for quick adjustments during your drawing process.
Step 3: Applying the Changes
After turning off polar tracking, you need to apply the changes for them to take effect in your drawing. Follow these steps:
- Step 3.1: Click on the “OK” button in the Drafting Settings dialog box to close it.
- Step 3.2: Start drawing or editing your objects without any restrictions imposed by polar tracking.
Please note: Disabling polar tracking may affect your workflow if you heavily rely on its assistance for precise alignments or angles. It is recommended to turn it back on when needed.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have learned how to turn off polar tracking in AutoCAD. By accessing the drafting settings and disabling polar tracking, you can have more control over your drawings and align objects or draw lines without any restrictions imposed by this feature. Remember that turning off polar tracking is not a permanent change and can be easily re-enabled when required.
Happy designing!