2004

212 | Chapter 15 Use Precision Tools
To visually locate a point
1 From the Tools menu, choose Inquiry. Then choose ID Point.
2 On the command line, enter the coordinate of the point you want to
locate.
If the
BLIPMODE system variable is on, a blip (a small cross) is displayed at
the point location.
Inquiry toolbar
Command line
ID
To change the coordinate display on the status bar
Use one of the following methods:
■ Click the coordinate display at the Specify Next Point prompt.
■ Press F6 or CTRL+D.
■ Set the COORDS system variable to 0 for static display, 1 for dynamic
display, or 2 for distance and angle display.
Enter Cartesian Coordinates
To use coordinate values to specify a point, enter an X value and a Y value
separated by a comma (X,Y). The X value is the positive or negative distance,
in units, along the horizontal axis. The Y value is the positive or negative
distance, in units, along the vertical axis.
Absolute coordinate values are based on the origin (0,0), where the X and Y
axes intersect. Use an absolute coordinate when you know the precise X and
Y values of the point coordinate. For example, the coordinate 3,4 specifies a
point 3 units along the X axis and 4 units along the Y axis from the origin.
Relative coordinate values are based on the last point entered. Use a relative
coordinate when you know the position of a point in relation to the previous
point. To specify a relative coordinate, precede the coordinate with an @ sign.
For example, the coordinate @3,4 specifies a point 3 units along the X axis
and 4 units along the Y axis from the last point specified.
For example, to draw a line beginning at an X value of –2, a Y value of 1, and
an endpoint at 3,4, make the following entries on the command line:
Command: line
From point: –2,1
To point: 3,4
AutoCAD locates the line as follows: