jumping to points

[johnfulwyler]

Im using AutoCAD 2002 and i need to know how to start a drawing tool a certain distance away from another point. Say i have a point and i want to start a line exactly 3.5 inches away from it and at a 0 degree angle.

[robfowler]

Use object tracking. Ensure the OTRACK button is on at the bottom of the screen.

After selecting the line tool hover over your point a wee while (so that you get an osnap marker) then drag the mouse in the direction you want to start the line (a dotted otrack line displays on screen). Then type in the distance you want to start the line from away from your original point and press ENTER and the first point of the line should start from where you want it.

Rob.

[CADTutor]

Also, see the "From" object snap http://www.cadtutor.net/acad/acad2ki/osnap/osnap.html#from

[Flores]

Ther are 2 ways that I do this. (object-tracking is a pet-peeve of mine)
1. Right-click "Polar" (below the command line) Then turn Polar Tracking on, and choose an increment angle (30 for example). You can add additional angles, but if you use too many angles it gets confusing. I keep the "Track Orthogonally" and "Absolute" radio buttons checked. While your still in the "Drafting Settings" dialog box, hit the "Options" button, and check all 3 buttons in the "Autotrack Settings".
Now when drawing a line for example, pick your start point, then just move your cursor until you see an anle that you want and all you will have to enter is the distance. (I turn Ortho and Otrack off).
The above works with the line and other commands that require you picking a second point, but it wouldn't work for the first point to pick, such as with the circle command. For this, I use a lisp that references from a point, and I also made a button for it to make it easier.

;;; rf.lsp
;;; This routine allows the use of reference points
;;; Directions: when reference point is needed type (rf) including parentheses

(defun rf ()
(setq pt1 (getpoint "\n Pick reference point: ")
pt2 (getpoint "\n Enter x,y,z distance from reference point: ")
np (list
(+ (car pt1) (car pt2)) ;;; constructs x value
(+ (cadr pt1) (cadr pt2)) ;;; constructs y value
(+ (caddr pt1) (caddr pt2)) ;;; constructs z value
)
)
)
You will have to type in (rf) to use it, but this way it is transparent. Instead of typing anything in, I use the following button macro:




(if c:rf (princ)(load "rf")) (rf)
Now use the circle command, hit the new reference button, pick your reference, and then enter your desired destination such as "10,10,2" or just "10,10" if working in one plane.
I know you could just enter "@10,10" instead of using the lisp above, but what can I say.

Flores