What Is AutoCAD Tracking?
AutoCAD is a popular computer-aided design (CAD) software used by professionals in various industries, including architecture, engineering, and construction. One of the essential features of AutoCAD is tracking, which allows users to precisely measure distances and angles within their drawings.
In this article, we will dive into the concept of AutoCAD tracking and explore its functionalities.
How Does AutoCAD Tracking Work?
AutoCAD tracking provides a dynamic way to measure distances and angles while creating or editing drawings. It helps users maintain accuracy and make informed decisions during the design process.
By enabling tracking, you can easily snap to specific points on objects or reference lines within your drawing.
Tracking in AutoCAD is based on the concept of points and object snaps. Points are locations within your drawing that have defined coordinates.
Object snaps are settings that allow you to snap or attach your cursor to specific points or geometric elements in your drawing. These object snaps include endpoints, midpoints, centers, intersections, and more.
Enabling Tracking in AutoCAD
To enable tracking in AutoCAD, you can either use the “Tracking” button on the status bar or press the “F11” key on your keyboard. Once enabled, you will see a small green square cursor called the “tracking crosshair.”
This crosshair indicates that tracking is active and ready for use.
Using Tracking for Distance Measurement
With tracking enabled, you can measure distances between two points by moving your cursor along a straight path. As you move your cursor closer to an object snap point or line extension point, a temporary dimension will appear dynamically showing the distance from your starting point.
For example, if you want to measure the distance between two endpoints, you can hover your cursor over the first endpoint and start moving it towards the second endpoint. The temporary dimension will update in real-time, providing you with accurate distance information.
Using Tracking for Angle Measurement
In addition to measuring distances, AutoCAD tracking also allows you to measure angles within your drawing. To measure an angle, move your cursor along an angular path by snapping to points or lines.
As you move your cursor, a temporary angle dimension will appear dynamically showing the angle between your starting point and the current cursor position.
For example, if you want to measure the angle between two lines, you can snap your cursor to the first line’s endpoint and align it with the second line. The temporary angle dimension will update as you move your cursor, giving you precise angle measurements.
Conclusion
AutoCAD tracking is a powerful tool that enhances accuracy and productivity in CAD drawings. By enabling tracking and utilizing object snaps, users can easily measure distances and angles with precision.
Whether it’s for architectural designs or mechanical drawings, AutoCAD tracking is an essential feature that helps professionals create accurate and detailed plans.