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Polar Tracking
AutoCAD continues to enhance point selection and precision drawing tools. One of these new features in Polar Tracking. Polar Tracking is similar to using Ortho to constrain screen pointing motion. Ine big difference is the ability to specify your own increment angle.
In the status line, you will see a button for POLAR. Place your pointer over the button adn right-click on your mouse. Pick Settings... from the menu that appears. In the Increment angle section, select 45 from the list. This will lock Polar Tracking at a 45 degree angle
On the same tab, left-click the radio button Track using all polar angle settings, instead of tracking orthogonally (90 increments). Left-click the OK button when finished.
Make sure POLAR is turned on the status line.
Begin the Line command and select a starting point. Move your point down and to the right. Eventually, the Polar Tracking tip will be displayed. This happens when your pointer is located at a 45 degree increment angle from the last point. When the Polar Tracking tip displays an angle of 315, type 2 and press ENTER.
Finish the figure as shown at the right. Use the Close option of the Line command to create the undimensioned angled line.
Extension Object Snap
The Extension Object Snap allows you to locate a point extended from the end of a line or arc.
Select the Circle command. Select the Extension Object Snap button from the Object Snap tool bar. Hint: The menu of toolbars can be displayed by right-clicking on any visible toolbar button.
Place your pointer over the angled line as down, but don't left-click. A marker will be displayed when the line (or arc) has been acquired. Now move your pointer down adn to the left.
Type 1 and press ENTER to locate the center of the new circle 1 unit from the end of the line , along the angle of the line. Complete the Circle command by entering a radius of 0.25.
Parallel Object Snap
The Parallel Object Snap locate a point at angle angle parallel to an indicated line.
Select the Copy command. Chose the new circle as the object to be copied and press ENTER. When prompted for the Base point, select the Center of the circle.
At the Second point prompt, select the Parallel Object Snap button from the Object Snap tool bar. Place your pointer over the angled line along the top portion of the figure, but don't left-click. A marker will will be displayed.
Now move you pointer down and to the left of the circle until the marker reappears. Type 2 and press ENTER.
All these tools help you select points more efficiently, without the use of temporary construction lines.