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Combine or Offset Points and Coordinates | 247
In the following illustration, the Endpoint object snap is on. You start a line
by clicking its start point (1), move the cursor over another line’s endpoint
(2) to acquire it, and then move the cursor along the horizontal alignment
path to locate the endpoint you want for the line you are drawing (3).
Change Object Snap Tracking Settings
By default, object snap tracking is set to orthogonal. Alignment paths are
displayed at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees from acquired object points.
However, you can use polar tracking angles instead.
For object snap tracking, AutoCAD automatically acquires object points.
However, you can choose to acquire points only when you press
SHIFT.
Change Alignment Path Display
You can change how AutoTrack displays alignment paths, and you can
change how AutoCAD acquires object points 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 dis-
cover 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 +.
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alignment path
start point acquired point endpoint
Endpoint: 0.48<
0