2011

Change Alignment Path Display
You can change how AutoTrack displays alignment paths, and you can change
how object points are acquired for object snap tracking. By default, alignment
paths stretch to the end of the drawing window. You can change their display
to abbreviated lengths, or no length.
Tips for Using Object Snap Tracking
As you use AutoTrack (polar tracking and object snap tracking), you will
discover techniques that make specific design tasks easier. Here are a few you
might try.
■ Use Perpendicular, End, and Mid object snaps with object snap tracking
to draw to points that are perpendicular to the end and midpoints of
objects.
■ Use the Tangent and End object snaps with object snap tracking to draw
to points that are tangent to the endpoints of arcs.
■ Use object snap tracking with temporary tracking points. At a point prompt,
enter tt, then specify a temporary tracking point. A small + appears at the
point. As you move your cursor, AutoTrack alignment paths are displayed
relative to the temporary point. To remove the point, move the cursor
back over the +.
■ After you acquire an object snap point, use direct distance to specify points
at precise distances along alignment paths from the acquired object snap
point. To specify a point prompt, select an object snap, move the cursor
to display an alignment path, then enter a distance at the Command
prompt.
NOTE The direct distance entry method is not available while you are using
the temporary override key for object snap tracking.
■ Use the Automatic and Shift to Acquire options set on the Drafting tab of
the Options dialog box to manage point acquisition. Point acquisition is
set to Automatic by default. When working in close quarters, press Shift
to temporarily avoid acquiring a point.
To turn on and turn off object snap tracking
■ Press F11, or click
on the status bar.
610 | Chapter 17 Use Precision Tools