Enter 2D Coordinates

While drawing, the command line will prompt you for a point where you can use the mouse to specify a point, or you can enter a coordinate value at the command prompt. While entering coordinates, there are three different methods that you can use.

Enter Direct Distances

Using the Direct Distance input method is the simplest way to draw elements. To use direct distance, all you need to do is move your cursor in the direction you would like to draw your drawing element and enter a distance in the command line. The drawing element will be drawn at the angle your cursor is pointed, and the distance entered in the command line.

This same input method works for most drawing commands such as move and copy. For example, after starting the move command and selecting an object you want to move, you can move your mouse in the direction you would like to move the object and enter a distance of how far that object should be moved in that direction.

Enter Cartesian Coordinates

To use the Cartesian coordinates 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 along the horizontal axis. The Y value is the positive or negative distance along the vertical axis.

Absolute Coordinates

While using the Cartesian system, you can use two different input types in the command line. The first we will discuss is Absolute Coordinates. To input absolute coordinates, all of the values entered will be based on the (0,0) drawing origin. You can specify absolute coordinates with the # prefix and then the coordinates. So if we wanted to start drawing the line at (3,4), we would input #3,4 in the command line. This will start the line at 3 units in the X-axis and 4 units along the Y-axis. Below is an example of where the line starting at (3,4) would start in the drawing.

Relative Coordinates

Relative coordinates are based on the last point entered. Use relative coordinates when you know the location or length of a point in relation to the previous point. To input relative coordinate values, use the @ symbol. So, entering in @3,4, while drawing a line, will continue the line 3 units in the X-axis and 4 units along the Y-axis from the last specified point. So if you were already at the (3,4) point in the drawing and wanted to draw a line straight up 5 units, you could enter in @0,5 to draw a line 5 units on the Y-axis.

Dynamic Input

To input coordinates values using either the relative or absolute coordinates, Dynamic Input must be enabled. You can toggle Dynamic input on or off using the F12 key. The Dynamic Input button will be lit up at the bottom of the screen if Dynamic input is currently turned on.

1. Dynamic Input Button.
   

Enter Polar Coordinates

Polar Coordinates use a distance and angle to locate points when drawing elements in the drawing. The format for this entry method is “30<45.” This will draw a line of 30 units at a 45-degree angle. The (<) symbol is used as the angle symbol. By default, angles increase in the counterclockwise direction and decrease in the clockwise direction. To specify a clockwise direction, enter a negative value for the angle. For example, entering “1<315” locates the same point as entering “1<-45.”

Absolute Coordinates

Just like Cartesian coordinates, you have the option to use absolute coordinates, which is based on the UCS origin (0,0) of the drawing. Using the (#) symbol as the prefix, you can enter in absolute coordinates. For example, enter “#3<45” specifies a point 3 units from the origin at an angle of 45 degrees from the X-axis.

Relative Coordinates

Relative coordinates are based on the last point entered. Use relative coordinates when you know the location of a point in relation to the previous point. Using the (@) symbol as the prefix, you can enter in relative coordinates. For example, entering in @1<45 specifies a point at a distance of 1 unit from the last point specified at an angle of 45 degrees from the X-axis.