Understanding Ortho Mode

Understanding Ortho Mode

As you create or move objects, you can use Ortho mode to restrict the cursor to the horizontal or vertical axis found along the UCS icon. It is recommended to leave Ortho mode turned on while in the drawing environment. This will help ensure that an object is moved in the desired direction. Using the direct distance entry method with Ortho mode turned on is a quick method to move objects. While in a 3D view, the cursor will not only be restricted along the X and Y-axis but also allow restricted movement along the Z-axis.


  1. With Ortho Mode turned on, the cursor is restricted along the axis.
  2. With Ortho Mode turned off, the cursor is unrestricted.

Ortho Mode can be activated or deactivated with the F8 command key, or by using the button near the bottom of the screen.


    • Related Articles

    • Understanding Annotative Dimensions

      Understanding Annotative Dimensions Annotative dimensions can be an enormous time saver. Annotative dimensions allow you to use a single dimension and apply one or more scales to it. The correct scale will be used when the scale is set for the ...
    • Understanding Object Snaps

      Object snaps are a handy visual tool to help you identify precise locations on objects.  With object snaps turned on, anytime your cursor moves over an object in the drawing, a highlighted shape will appear to indicate a snap location.  If you pick a ...
    • Understanding Room Components

      Creating Floor and Ceilings To begin drawing floors and ceilings, click on the Draw tab in Toolbox and then click the Draw Room Components tab. Select the Walls category from the drop-down menu. At the bottom of the window, you’ll see the following ...
    • Understanding Drawing Tabs

      Located at the bottom of the drawing area are tabs that allow you to switch between the Model tab and other layout tabs. While working in the drawing environment, you will need to have the Model tab selected. Selecting any other tab will bring you to ...
    • Understanding the Blocks Palette

      Blocks can be inserted into a drawing with the Blocks Palette, the Tool Palettes window, or Design Center, depending on which of these tools best suits the user's needs. This article focuses on the Blocks Palette. To access the Blocks Palette, enter ...
    • Recent Articles

    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1025

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1025. Additions Added new global variable “Remove Stop Dado On Bottom Edge” for wood drawer boxes. Check this option to run the dado through at the bottom of the sub front ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1030.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1030.641 Routing and Profile Fixes Several issues were found with routing and polyline paths: Fig. 1: Horizontal routes off of a part disappearing (left) and appearing correctly (right). When ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1010.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1010.641 Biesse Winstore Fix Several issues with the Biesse Winstore plugin have been resolved: There was an issue that would sometimes occur wherein materials that were intended to stack wound ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1001.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1001.641 HBore Toolfile Fix Fig. 1: The location in the Toolfile UI where the error would occur. There was an issue reported with the functionality of the Horizontal Boring Machine setting in ...
    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.0919

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.0919 Additions Added 5 new special Wine Rack products and 9 new Wine Rack Insert subassemblies. Products: Master Vertical Wine Rack Corner Frame Master Vertical Wine Rack ...