What Is Ortho Mode in AutoCAD?

by

What Is Ortho Mode in AutoCAD?

Ortho mode is a very useful feature in AutoCAD that allows you to draw lines perfectly horizontal or vertical, without having to worry about any other angle. It restricts the cursor movement to only 0, 90, and 180-degree angles.

Enabling Ortho Mode

To enable ortho mode, you can either click on the ‘Ortho’ button located on the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window or simply press the F8 key on your keyboard. Once enabled, you will see a small square icon with a green border next to your cursor indicating that ortho mode is active.

Using Ortho Mode

With ortho mode enabled, drawing lines becomes much easier and precise. You can start drawing a line by clicking anywhere on your screen and then move your cursor either vertically or horizontally to define the direction of the line.

As you move your cursor, AutoCAD will snap it to the nearest 0, 90, or 180-degree angle. You can also enter specific lengths for your line using the keyboard.

  • Ortho mode is particularly useful when creating architectural floor plans or technical drawings where straight lines are crucial.
  • It saves time by eliminating the need for manual alignment and ensures accurate drawing.
  • You can toggle ortho mode on and off during your drawing session as needed.
  • If you prefer working with polar tracking instead of ortho mode, you can enable both features simultaneously. Polar tracking allows you to draw lines at specific angles defined by polar increments.

Troubleshooting Ortho Mode

If you are experiencing any issues with ortho mode, make sure that it is enabled. You can check the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window to see if the ortho button is highlighted or press F8 to toggle it on and off.

If ortho mode is not working as expected, ensure that your snap mode is also enabled. Snap mode helps your cursor to snap to specific points or increments on the drawing grid.

Conclusion

Ortho mode in AutoCAD is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of creating straight lines in your drawings. It allows you to draw lines only at 0, 90, and 180-degree angles, ensuring accuracy and consistency throughout your design. By enabling ortho mode, you can save time and effort while producing professional-looking results.