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CCAD's AutoCAD Tutorials
Using Object Snap Tracking
Object Snap Tracking (OTRACK) works with OSNAP and POLAR to help align new points with existing locations in your drawing. For instance, OTRACK makes it easy to draw a new rectangle in line with an existing one or draw a circle to align vertically with the midpoint of a line and horizontally with an intersection. OTRACK only works with Running Object Snaps.
Enabling Object Snap Tracking
To turn on Object Snap Tracking, just make sure the OTRACK button in the status line is activated.
Polar Tracking Settings and OTRACK
Polar Tracking will guide the movement of your pointer along specified angles. You can choose among many different increment angles. You can choose to allow OTRACK to use all polar angle settings or limit OTRACK to track orthogonally only. This setting is accessed by right-clicking on the POLAR button in the status line. Select Settings… from the menu.
To track using all angles, click the Track using all polar angle settings radio button. Click the OK button when finished.
Using OTRACK to Align with a Single Point
To align new points with locations on existing objects, make sure OTRACK and POLAR are turned on. Set the running Osnap to the appropriate mode. In this example, a new rectangle will be aligned with an existing rectangle intersection.
Choose the RECTANG command. Place your pointer over the corner of the rectangle A. Do not click. Move your pointer in the desired direction B, along the Polar Tracking guide. When you are satisfied with the location, click to select the first corner of the rectangle. Then complete the command normally.
Using OTRACK to Align with Two Points
To align new points with locations on existing objects, make sure OTRACK and POLAR are turned on. Set the running Osnap to the appropriate mode. In this example, a new circle will be drawn to align vertically with the midpoint of a line an horizontally with an intersection.
Choose the CIRCLE command. Place your pointer over the edge of the line A. Do not click. Move your pointer in the desired direction, along the Polar Tracking guide.
Place your pointer over the intersection B. Do not click. Move your pointer toward the original OTRACK point along the Polar Tracking guide C.When you are satisfied with the location, click.