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Unit 1
UNIT 1-1 UNIT 1-2 UNIT 1-3 UNIT 1-4 UNIT 1-5 UNIT 1-6
DraftSight Basics
INTRODUCING DRAFTS IGHT INTRODUCING COMMANDS USING DRAW COMMANDS USING DELETE AND SELECTION SETS UNDERSTANDING BASIC DISPLAY COMMANDS ENTITY SNAPPING
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Introducing DraftSight
1-1.1 1-1.2 1-1.3 1-1.4 1-1.5 1-1.6 1-1.7 1-1.8 1-1.9 1-1.10 1-1.11 1-1.12
Unit 1-1
LAUNCHING DRAFTSIGHT CREATING A NEW DRAWING INTRODUCING TEXT AND GRAPHICS SCREENS UNDERSTANDING THE CURSOR CANCELING A COMMAND USING THE MAIN MENU USING T OOLBARS USING THE STATUS BAR AND COMMAND PROMPT COMMAND ALIASES USING THE MOUSE UNDERSTANDING UNDO AND REDO GETTING HELP
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5. Select the appropriate template file and click Open <Top> <Unit 1-1> 4 DraftSight.com
Main Menu: Pull-down menus of thematically related commands are arranged in the Main Menu. Toolbars: You can drag and drop toolbars to convenient locations in the application window. You can also dock them below the Main Menu or at the left and right margins of the application desktop. To display or hide toolbars: 1. Right-click the menu bar or a docked toolbar to display the shortcut menu. 2. Select Toolbars... and activate or deactivate toolbars in the Specify Toolbars dialog box. Options Toolbar: The Options toolbar displays context sensitive options you can select when executing a command. It displays only those options that are available at the current prompt. For example, if you enter the Zoom command, the Options toolbar shows Bounds, Center, Dynamic, Fit and Previous. To display the Options toolbar: 1. Right-click the menu bar or a docked toolbar to display the shortcut menu. 2. Select Options Toolbar and activate or deactivate the Options Toolbar.
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Shortcut Menus: Right-clicking displays a shortcut menu (context menu). If a command is active, the shortcut menu displays:
Enter: Confirms default options of the current command or ends entity selection Cancel: Cancel command execution ESnap Overrides: Lets you select entity snap options and coordinate input methods Pan and Zoom Undo
Repeat previous command Cut, Copy, Copy with Base Point, and Paste Undo and Redo Pan and Zoom Options (general settings) Drafting Options
Graphics Area: The graphics area is the part of the application where you create and modify drawing entities. You can open multiple drawings simultaneously in the graphics area. Each drawing and view is in its own window. The individual windows can be tiled, cascaded, or enlarged to fill the graphics area. When the pointer is inside the drawing area, it appears as crosshairs. If more than one window is open, only one is the active window. To make a window active:
Click in any part of the window or click Window and click the file you want to activate.
Palettes: Palettes are areas on the left or right side of the drawing window that manage drawing entities. The palettes include the:
Properties Palette. Allows you to view and change drawing entity properties. References Palette. Lists and manages drawings and images that are referenced in your drawing. Lighting Palette. Lists and controls the lights inserted into the drawing to create realistic renderings.
You can display or hide the palettes. Usually palettes are docked to the left or right side of the drawing window.
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You can make a floating palette by clicking and holding the left mouse button (or double-clicking) on the palette caption and dragging it to a new position. To dock a floating palette, either double-click the caption or drag it to the left or right margin of the drawing area, and release the mouse button. To save space in the drawing area, you can also overlap palettes in one location (at the left or right margin). Activate the palette you need by clicking the tab at the bottom of the palette area.
Issue commands at the command prompt. Specify points and values, and select entities. Confirm the selection or input steps. Receive messages, indications, or warnings.
You can view a transcript of the commands entered on the command window so you can read or reconstruct your working steps, including all keyboard inputs. Press F2 to display the command history in a separate window. Click F2 again to close it. Status Bar: The status bar is located at the bottom of the application window. It is divided into three areas: tooltips, drafting settings, and coordinate display.
The left side of the status bar displays tooltips. If you move the pointer over toolbar icons or menu items, a description of the command or function displays in the tooltips area. The middle of the status bar contains buttons to turn on and off drafting options. These are: Snap, Grid, Ortho, Polar (Polar Guides), ESnap (EntitySnaps), ETrack (EntityTracking). The right side of the status bar shows the X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates of the pointer.
Model and Sheets Tabs: The desktop contains tabs on the bottom left labeled Model and Sheet1. These display the drawing as a model or as a drawing sheet. The model is where you draw and construct. A drawing can have only one Model tab. Sheets are ready-to-print pages that contain entities such as frames and title blocks, overviews and details, and views of the model. You can work with multiple sheets using the Sheet command to add, copy, delete, name, or rename sheets. To access these options you can also right-click to Sheet tab.
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Coordinate Symbol: The coordinate symbol is a visual reference to the drawing. It is located in the lower left corner of the graphics area. This symbol indicates the position of the axes of the coordinate system and provides orientation of the alignment of the current coordinate system.
You can turn the coordinate symbol on or off with the CsIcon command. Scroll Bars: Scroll bars are in the right and bottom margins of the drawing window and can be used to pan the view of the drawing. Instead of using the scroll bars, you can use pan commands. To turn on and off the scroll bars:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Click Tools > Options. Click System Options Expand Display Expand Screen options Select or clear Show scroll bars.
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Within this program, the cursor color may be set for the X, Y and Z axis.
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Specify points and values, select entities, and confirm inputs Confirm the selection or input steps Receive messages, indications, or warnings
You can view a transcript of the command entered on the command window, so that you can view or reconstruct your working steps, including all keyboard inputs. Press F2 to display the command history in a separate window. Click F2 again to close it.
Status Bar: The status bar is located at the bottom of the visible desktop. It is divided into three areas: tooltips, drafting tool toggles, and current coordinates display.
Tool tip display. The left hand side of the status bar displays tooltips. If you move the cursor over toolbar icons, a brief description of the corresponding command or function displays in the tooltips area. Descriptions of commands selected from any of the pull-down menu items also display in this area. Drafting tools. The middle of the status bar contains the buttons that let you turn on and off drafting tool settings. These are: Snap, Grid, Ortho, Polar (Polar Guides), ESnap (EntitySnap), ETrack (EntityTracking). Current coordinate display. The information field at the right of the buttons shows the X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates of the current crosshair (cursor) position.
Drafting Tools
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Options: Reverse the zoom wheel direction Enable Click and drag Edit by double-clicking Display shortcut menus by right clicking
Displays the shortcut menu Displays the shortcut menu only if command options are available Is the same as pressing Enter
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Redo: The REDO command reverses the last undo. To access the REDO command, type REDO at the command prompt or select the REDO Icon.
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Unit 1-2
1-2.1 1-2.2 1-2.3 1-2.4 1-2.5 1-2.6 1-2.7 1-2.8
Introducing Commands
OPENING E XISTING DRAWINGS CREATING A NEW DRAWING TEMPLATE SETTING THE UNITS FORMAT SETTING THE DRAWING BOUNDS
SETTING THE GRID AND SNAP
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If you try to save a read-only file with changes, an error message prompts you to save the file under another name. <Top> <Unit 1-2>
Creating templates with these elements and parameters ensures that new drawings follow the standards of your company, organization, or industry. To set up your drawing environment you can apply unit, drawing bounds, grid, and snap settings. These settings can be stored in your template drawings. To save the template: 1. 2. 3. 4. Click File>Save As Complete the File name field Select Drawing Template (.dwt) from the Save as type drop-down menu. Click Save. <Top> <Unit 1-2> 19 DraftSight.com
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Snap Snap creates a set of invisible magnetic points that force the pointer to move in even increments. Snap constrains the points you can choose with the pointer to the snap grid you define. The snap grid is an invisible grid in the drawing area. With snap activated, the pointer selects only points positioned directly on the snap grid. When you point to the drawing, start points, endpoints, center points, and other specific points lie exactly on points of the snap grid. Use the Snap command to determine the distance between snap points. The snap grid follows the axes of the current coordinate system. You can also use an isometric style of snap. Use isometric snap to create two-dimensional isometric drawings representing three-dimensional entities. To set snap: 1. Type Snap at the command prompt. 2. To specify snap spacing, type a positive number or select two points that reflect the snap spacing. Typically, the snap grid coincides with the grid display defined by the Grid command. Another method is to set the snap grid to a partial fraction of the grid display. 3. To turn snap on or off, specify the On or Off options. 4. Set the X and Y spacing of the snap grid by specifying the Spacing option and specifying values for horizontal and vertical spacing. 5. Specify the Grid style option and specify: Isometric: Sets up an isometric snap grid aligned along lines 30, 90, and 150 degrees from the horizontal axis. Specify vertical spacing for an isometric snap grid when prompted. Unlike rectangular snap, isometric snap cannot have different Spacing values. Use the IsometricGrid command to determine the active isometric plane to draw on (left, top, or right). Rectangular: Sets up an orthogonal snap grid aligned parallel to the X- and Y-axes of the current coordinate system. 2. Specify the Orientation option to set the type of snap and specify: Grid: Toggles to standard snap. Radial: The radial snap grid aligns along polar angle increments. Specify the radial snap spacing. <Top> <Unit 1-2>
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The drawing is saved under the name, drawing format, and location specified when it was opened. If the drawing is unnamed, the Save As dialog box opens so that you can set the name, folder, and file type. By default, the drawing is named NONAME_n.dwg. 2. Complete the File name field and ensure that the Save in field is the folder in which to save the drawing. <Top> <Unit 1-2>
Select File >Exit (or type Exit at the command prompt, or press Alt + F4 or Ctrl + Q). If the drawing is unnamed, the Save As dialog box opens so that you can set the name, folder, and file type. After saving the open drawings, the current working session ends. <Top> <Unit 1-2>
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Unit 1-3
1-3.1 1-3.2 1-3.3 1-3.4 1-3.5 1-3.6 1-3.7 1-3.8 1-3.9
LEARNING THE LINE COMMAND UNDERSTANDING THE CARTESIAN COORDINATE SYSTEM USING ABSOLUTE COORDINATES USING RELATIVE COORDINATES USING POLAR COORDINATES DIRECTION AND DISTANCE ENTITY SNAP POINTS (ESNAP) CREATING CIRCLES USING ARC COMMAND
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Note: Each segment in a series of connected lines is a separate entity. You can also use the Line command to append lines to existing lines or arcs. To undo a line segment:
To create a segment from the last point to the first point (minimum of 3 points must be specified):
Type Close.
To append a line segment to an existing line or arc: 1. Select Draw > Line (or type Line) or select 2. Press Enter. The appended continuation line attaches to the end of the last line or arc that you drew. 3. Click a point to define the appended line segment and press Enter.
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Using absolute coordinates a line from (-4,-4) to (8,4) will produce the following result:
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Exercise: Using the Absolute Coordinate method, construct the shape show above. Note: Units are in INCHES Solution: :Line <enter> Specify start point>>2,0 Specify next point>>3,0 Specify next point>>3,1 Specify next point>>5,1 Specify next point>>5,0 Specify next point>>6,0 Specify next point>>8,2 Specify next point>>8,3 Specify next point>>6,5 Specify next point>>5,5 Specify next point>>5,4 Specify next point>>3,4 Specify next point>>3,5 Specify next point>>2,5 Specify next point>>0,3 Specify next point>>0,2 Specify next point>>C
In DRAFTSIGHT, it is also possible to enter relative coordinates. This is used to specify a location that is relative to the current position. In this case the character @ is used in the text string. An example: @-6,4 this would mean that the specified point is -6 units in the X-axis, and 4 units in the Y-axis from the last point specified.
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Exercise: Using the Relative Coordinate method, construct the shape show above. Note: Units are in INCHES Solution: :Line <Enter> Specify start point>>2,0 Specify next point>>@1,0 Specify next point>>@0,1 Specify next point>>@2,0 Specify next point>>@0,-1 Specify next point>>@1,0 Specify next point>>@2,2 Specify next point>>@0,1 Specify next point>>@-2,2 Specify next point>>@-1,0 Specify next point>>@0,-1 Specify next point>>@-2,0 Specify next point>>@0,1 Specify next point>>@-1,0 Specify next point>>@-2,-2 Specify next point>>@0,-1 Specify next point>>C
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Note: The angle is absolute. Refer to the following chart to determine the absolute angles for line segments that are to be drawn at a 45 degree angle. Tip: Use negative angles when appropriate (e.g. -90)
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Exercise: Using the of Polar Coordinate method, construct the shape shown above. Note: Units are in INCHES Solution: :Line <Enter> Specify start point>>2,0 Specify next point>>@1<0 Specify next point>>@1<90 Specify next point>>@2<0 Specify next point>>@1<-90 Specify next point>>@1<0 Specify next point>>@2.83<45 Specify next point>>@1<90 Specify next point>>@2.83<135 Specify next point>>@1<180 Specify next point>>@1<-90 Specify next point>>@2<180 Specify next point>>@1<90 Specify next point>>@1<180 Specify next point>>@2.83<225 Specify next point>>@1<-90 Specify next point>>C <Top> DraftSight.com <Unit 1-3> 31
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Exercise: Using the Distance and Direction method, construct the shape shown above. Note: Units are in INCHES Solution: Turn Ortho on. :Line <Enter> Specify start point>>specify screen position Click Specify next point>>move cursor to the right and type 2 Specify next point>> move cursor up and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the right and type 4 Specify next point>> move cursor down and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the right and type 2 Specify next point>> move cursor up and type 5 Specify next point>> move cursor to the left and type 2 Specify next point>> move cursor down and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the left and type 4 Specify next point>> move cursor up and type 1 Specify next point>> move cursor to the left and type 2 Specify next point>>C
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Exercise: Create the shape above. Be sure that the Endpoint and Midpoint ESnap options are set. Turn Ortho off <Top> DraftSight.com <Unit 1-3> 34
To construct a circle from its center point and diameter: 1. Select Draw > Circle > Center, Diameter 2. Click the graphics area to define the center point of the circle. 3. Click the graphics area to define the circle diameter, or enter the diameter at the command prompt. Or 1. 2. 3. 4. Type Circle or C. Type D at the command prompt Click the graphics area to define the center point of the circle. Type the value of the diameter at the command prompt.
To construct a circle from three points: 1. Select Draw > Circle > 3 Points. 2. Type C at the command prompt. 3. Select three points in the graphics area that define points on the circle. Or 1. Type Circle or C 2. Type 3 at the command prompt. 3. Select three points in the graphics area that define points on the circle.
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To construct a circle from two points along the diameter: 1. Select Draw > Circle > 2 Points. 2. Select two points in the graphics area that define the circle diameter. Or 1. Type Circle or C 2. Type 2 at the command prompt. 3. Select two points in the graphics area that define points on the circle.
To construct a circle from two tangent entities and the radius:
1. Select Draw > Circle > Tangent, Tangent, Radius. 2. Select a point on each of two linear entities that define lines tangent to the circle in the graphics area. 3. Click a point in the graphics area to define the radius, or enter the radius at the command prompt. Or 1. Type Circle or C 2. Type T at the command prompt. 3. Select a point on each of two linear entities that define lines tangent to the circle in the graphics area. 4. Click a point in the graphics area to define the radius, or enter the radius at the command prompt.
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To construct a circle that is tangent to three lines: 1. Select Draw > Circle > Tangent, Tangent, Tangent. 2. Select a point in the graphics area on each of three linear entities that define lines tangent to the circle. Or 1. Type Circle or C 2. Type TTT at the command prompt. 3. Select a point in the graphics area on each of three linear entities that define lines tangent to the circle.
Tip: This option is useful when inscribing the circle within a regular polygon.
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Start, Center, Angle to select the start point and center point in the graphics area, and then enter the value of the arc tangent angle from its chord
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Start, Center, Length to select the start point and center point in the graphics area, and then enter the value of the arc chord length 2. Select the required points in the graphics area or enter the option values at the command prompt. To construct an arc from start and endpoint options: 1. Select Draw > Arc and select a start and endpoint-based option: Start, End, Angle to select the start point and endpoint in the graphics area, and enter the positive or negative value of the angle from the chord to the tangent to the start point Start, End, Radius to select the start point and endpoint in the graphics area, and then enter the value of the arc tangent angle from its chord Start, End, Direction to select the start point, endpoint, and tangent direction from the start point in the graphics area 2. Select the required points in the graphics area or enter the option values at the command prompt. To append an arc to a line, polyline, or arc: 1. Select Draw > Arc > Continue (or type Arc at the command prompt and enter a to append an arc). 2. Select a line, polyline, or arc entity in the graphics area. 3. Select the arc endpoint in the graphics area.
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Unit 1-4
1-4.1 1-4.2 1-4.3 1-4.4
DELETING OBJECTS LEARNING SELECTION SET OPTIONS ENTITY SELECTION METHODS USING THE UNDELETE COMMAND
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5. To remove previously selected entities from the selection set, press and hold the Shift key. 6. Once you have marked all desired entities, finish the selection by pressing Enter. The current command resumes.
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Unit 1-5
1-5.1 1-5.2 1-5.3
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With Dynamic Zoom, you can zoom in and out of the current drawing window at real time. To use Dynamic Zoom: 1. Right-click and select Zoom, click Zoom Dynamic or View > Zoom > Dynamic. (Zoom toolbar),
Center: Lets you specify a center point for the new view and a magnification value or height
Zoom Center lets you specify a center point for the new view and a magnification value or height. To use Zoom Center: 1. Click View > Zoom > Center. 2. Click or type a: a. center point. b. magnification or height. A smaller value increases the magnification. A larger value decreases the magnification. Tip: Press Enter to use the default values to re-center the drawing without changing the display scale.
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Zoom Factor lets you zoom the display by a scale factor. This is helpful when working with sheets or when plotting or printing the drawing. To use Zoom Factor: 1. Select View > Zoom > Factor (or type ZoomFactor). 2. Type a number to specify the scale factor. If you type a number: a. Without an x or xp extension, the zoom is relative to the drawing extents. A scale factor of: 1 shows the entire drawing. 2, shows entities twice as large. 0.5., shows entities half as large. b. Followed by x, the scale is relative to the current view. c. Followed by xp, the scale is relative to the sheet's units. For instance, a value of .5xp displays the model area at half the scale of the sheet units. Use this to specify the magnification for each view on the sheet. 3. Press Enter. Zoom Previous allows you to undo the last zoom operation. You can restore up to ten previous displays. To zoom to a previous display:
Select View > Zoom > Previous (or type ZoomBack, or Zoom Previous).
Zoom Selected calculates the boundary of the area that contains the specified entities and zooms in or out so the entities are visible on screen. To zoom to the extents of selected entities: 1. Select View > Zoom > Selected. 2. Select entities to zoom into. 3. Press Enter. Zoom Window lets you show a selected part of a drawing in the largest possible scale. To use Zoom Window: 1. Select View > Zoom > Window (or type ZoomWindow). 2. Click in the drawing area to set the upper left corner of the window. 3. Click in the drawing area to set the lower right corner of the window. The center of the window becomes the center of the display and the area inside the specified window enlarges to fit the display. Zoom Bounds displays the entire drawing even if only a portion of the drawing has entities.
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Zoom Bounds zooms to the current bounds of the drawing if no entities extend beyond these bounds. If entities extend beyond the defined bounds, they are included in the calculation of the boundaries in which to zoom. Using Zoom Bounds in a 3D view is the same as using Zoom Fit. To use Zoom Bounds:
Note: Zoom Bounds cannot be used transparently because it always rebuilds the drawing. Zoom Fit displays the drawing with all its elements as large as possible on the screen. Unlike Zoom Bounds, Zoom Fit ignores drawing bounds. Zoom Fit includes entities on layers that are turned off but does not include those on frozen layers. Points from deleted or modified elements that are still saved in the drawing can influence the results. These points are deleted when a drawing rebuilds. Therefore, before using Zoom Fit, you should execute the Rebuild command. To use Zoom Fit: 1. Click View > Rebuild (or type Rebuild). 2. Click View > Zoom > Fit (or type ZoomFit).
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2. Place the pointer anywhere in the drawing. 3. Hold down the left mouse button and drag in the direction you want the drawing to move. To exit pan mode:
Press Enter, or Esc, or the spacebar. - or Release the left mouse button, right-click and click Exit.
Re-computes and re-indexes the drawing to optimize performance for displaying and selecting drawing entities. Recalculates the screen coordinates for all entities in the current view. Refreshes the current view. Using Rebuildall
The RebuildAll command rebuilds the current drawing and refreshes all tiled views. 1. Click View > Rebuild Allall (or type Rebuild). Rebuilding a drawing:
Re-computes and re-indexes the drawing to optimize performance for displaying and selecting drawing entities. Recalculates the screen coordinates for all entities in all tiled views. Refreshes all tiled views.
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Unit 1-6
1-6.1 1-6.2 1-6.3
Entity Snapping
RUNNING ENTITY SNAPS UNDERSTANDING CASE BY CASE (TEMPORARY MODE ) ESNAP SETTINGS
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The type of the drawing entity The selected entity snap mode The specific point on the selected entity
The illustration below shows the connection between the point selected and the point snapped:
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To set entity snaps permanently: 1. Select Tools > Options (or type EntitySnap or Options at the command prompt). The EntitySnap command brings up the Entity Snaps tab of the Drafting Options dialog. 2. Select Enable EntitySnap and select the ESnap type. The selected mode is permanently activated. You can suspend entity snap by typing non when prompted for a point selection. To use entity snap when prompted for point selection: 1. Call a command or a function that requires a point selection. 2. At the prompt, select Tools > Drafting Options (or use the Entity Snap toolbar, select Snap Overrides from the pointer context-sensitive menu, type an entity snap mode abbrevation, or type EntitySnap). The EntitySnap command brings up the Inferencing tab of the Drafting Options dialog. 3. Select Enable inferencing and select an Inference type. The pointer becomes a small box. You are prompted for the point. 4. Select the entity with the pointer. The pointer snaps according to the entity snap mode you selected.
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Example Command Sequence To apply the EntitySnap function 'end': : LINE First point of Line: <point to graphics area > Next point of Line: end of: <point to drawing entity> Next point of Line: This will force the entity to an endpoint regardless of any other settings. This function is available for all of the EntitySnap options.
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CENter Selects the center of an arc. Cursor must be on the arc to locate the center.
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Reference Esnaps EXTension Snaps to the phantom extension or an arc or line. INTersection Selects the intersection of two entities
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