2004

38 | Chapter 3 The Command Window
Enter System Variables on the Command
Line
System variables are settings that control how certain commands work. They
can turn on or turn off modes such as Snap, Grid, or Ortho. They can set
default scales for hatch patterns. They can store information about the
current drawing and about AutoCAD configuration. Sometimes you use a
system variable in order to change a setting. At other times you use a system
variable to display the current status.
For example, the
GRIDMODE system variable turns the dot grid display on
and off when you change the value. In this case, the
GRIDMODE system
variable is functionally equivalent to the
GRID command. DATE is a read-only
system variable that stores the current date. You can display this value, but
you cannot change it.
You can examine or change a system variable's setting transparently, that is,
while using another command; however, new values may not take effect
until the interrupted command ends.
To change the setting of a system variable
1 At the Command prompt, enter the system variable name. For example,
enter gridmode to change the grid setting.
2 To change the status of
GRIDMODE, enter 1 for on or 0 for off. To retain the
current value of the system variable, press
ENTER.
To see a complete list of system variables
1 At the Command prompt, enter setvar.
2 At the Variable Name prompt, enter ?.
3 At the Enter Variable(s) to List prompt, press
ENTER.
Command line
SETVAR