2012

Overview of Coordinate Entry
You can enter two-dimensional coordinates as either Cartesian (X,Y) or polar
coordinates. When dynamic input is on, you can enter coordinate values in
tooltips near the cursor.
Cartesian and Polar Coordinates
A Cartesian coordinate system has three axes, X, Y, and Z. When you enter
coordinate values, you indicate a point's distance (in units) and its direction
(+ or -) along the X, Y, and Z axes relative to the coordinate system origin
(0,0,0).
In 2D, you specify points on the XY plane, also called the work plane. The work
plane is similar to a flat sheet of grid paper. The X value of a Cartesian
coordinate specifies horizontal distance, and the Y value specifies vertical
distance. The origin point (0,0) indicates where the two axes intersect.
Polar coordinates use a distance and an angle to locate a point. With both
Cartesian and polar coordinates, you can enter absolute coordinates based on
the origin (0,0), or relative coordinates based on the last point specified.
Another method of entering a relative coordinate is by moving the cursor to
specify a direction and then entering a distance directly. This method is called
direct distance entry.
You can enter coordinates in scientific, decimal, engineering, architectural,
or fractional notation. You can enter angles in grads, radians, surveyor's units,
or degrees, minutes, and seconds. The UNITS command controls unit format.
Display Coordinates on the Status Bar
The current cursor location is displayed as a coordinate value on the status
bar.
There are three types of coordinate display: static, dynamic, and distance and
angle.
■ Static display. Updates only when you specify a point.
■ Dynamic display. Updates as you move the cursor.
■ Distance and angle display. Updates the relative distance (distance<angle)
as you move the cursor. This option is available only when you draw lines
or other objects that prompt for more than one point.
466 | Chapter 16 Use Precision Tools