MicroStation Offset in AutoCAD?

[tennis4you]

There is of course the "move or copy parallel in MicroStation is that AutoCAD calls "offset". But in MicroStation is has something called "offset" that I am really hoping AutoCAD has the capability to do.

 

In MS (before or during a command) you can snap to an object, line, whatever, and then hit the "O" button. This allows you to then relocate the spot the "snap" was placed. So if I want to draw a line 4' away from where I snapped I could do it without drawing the line and then moving it 4'. It basically eliminates a lot of construction lines.

 

Essentially I snap, hit the "O" button and then type 4' and then I can start my line 4' from where I snapped. It helps tremendously if I want to place an object or line along another object or line where I cannot easily snap to.

 

Hopefully that all made sense. If not, kick me upside the head and I will try again.

[ReMark]

Unfortunately for you AutoCAD's Offset command is not like that of Microstation at all.

 

A few of the features of AutoCAD that may prove beneficial to you would be Polar Tracking, Object Snap Tracking, and Point Filters.

[tennis4you]

I have not yet found the Point Filters, I will have to go look that up, I have no clue what it is. I have found the Polar Tracking which I like. I wish it was more like MicroStations Accu Draw which allows you to lock into a plane which is great!

 

Not sure what object snap tracking is either, need to research.

 

Thanks!

[ReMark]

Accu Draw? Well AutoCAD does have Orthomode (keeps lines being drawn either horizontal or vertical) and SnapAng (Snap Angle) for locking one into a particular angle other than straight up and down or side-to-side.

[tennis4you]

Accu-Draw allows you to hit "Enter" and stay locked in an "x" plane or "y" plane no matter what which is awesome. Ortho Lock locks you in but the snaps still seem to overwrite the Ortho Lock. If the snaps did not overwrite Ortho Lock then Ortho Lock would act very similar to Accu Draw. It eliminates the need for construction lines. 95% of the lines I draw in MicroStation have Accu Draw turned on and locked into a plane just from habit.

[ReMark]

Snaps or Osnaps? There is a difference. Osnaps gives one the ability to "snap" to endpoints, midpoints, parallel, perpendicular, centers, intersections, quadrants and alike of entitles like lines, circles, etc.. Snap is usually, but not always, used along with Grid. The user can set their own increment values for the two.

[tennis4you]

Sorry for not being clear, my terminology is shot between the 2 CAD programs right now. It must be the OSnaps.

[Murph_map]

Two different options in AutoCAD, one is the "From" command, the second is a combination of using Dynamic Input, Object Snap and Object Tracking.

[tennis4you]

The From command sounds like it is exactly what I need. I read about it in the help section of AutoCAD. Sadly, it does not seem to be offsetting to the point I am trying to specify, it's actually acting very weird. I specify the base point and then the "offset" comes up and I fill both of those in and I get some random offset point. I am sure it is me, I am still trying to figure out AutoCAD. The directions made sense though and everything is acting like it should until it is time to accept all the commands.

[Murph_map]

The From command sounds like it is exactly what I need. I read about it in the help section of AutoCAD. Sadly, it does not seem to be offsetting to the point I am trying to specify, it's actually acting very weird. I specify the base point and then the "offset" comes up and I fill both of those in and I get some random offset point. I am sure it is me, I am still trying to figure out AutoCAD. The directions made sense though and everything is acting like it should until it is time to accept all the commands.

 

Command: line

Specify first point: from

Base point: : 6

It helps if you have dyn input on and otracking.

Give the line command, then enter FROM, pick the point and enter the distance to offset and move your cursor in the direction to offset before you click or press enter. Also need to watch the relative vs. absolute coordinates for input.

[tennis4you]

Wow you guys are quick, thanks for that!

 

Absolute coordinates are on. I seemed to be able to get the command to work if I was already drawing a line, so that is good. What if I wish to pick an arbitrary spot though and start a line from that spot, that is where I seem to struggle. I can get the line to terminate from that spot, but not begin from that spot.