Polar and osnap tracking

Last updated: 2023-01-04

Total video time: 14:01

Both Polar Tracking and Object Snap (aka Osnap) Tracking are tools designed to streamline the process of specifying location precisely when executing a command. Polar tracking allows "snapping" along vectors based on preset angle increments around an initially specified point. Osnap Tracking allows projection out from existing Osnap locations to specify the next command location. These projection vectors can come from multiple Osnap locations and can use current Polar Tracking angles to form the projections. Once you become familiar with the tools, both Polar Tracking and Object Tracking can greatly improve efficiency when specifying command location.

Exercise files: acad-data-c3d20.zip

Start with acad-polr-osnp-trak-begin.dwg

acad-polr-osnp-trak-01.mp4 4:33

Basics

This section will get you started using Polar Tracking with an example exercise laying out title block Lines.

  1. Open acad-polr-osnp-trak-begin.dwg
  2. Status Bar > Customization flyout
    1. Polar Tracking = checked
  3. Status Bar
    1. Polar Tracking on

  4. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Left-click anywhere in Model space to specify first points
    2. Rotate cursor around first point location
    3. Observe Polar Tracking vector "snapping"
  5. Status Bar > Polar Tracking icon
    1. Right-click
      1. Increment = 45, 90, 135, 180...

  6. Status Bar
    1. Dynamic Input off
    2. Polar Tracking off
    3. Center Object Snap on
  7. Zoom to lower right of drawing extents
  8. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Snap to bottom red guiding Circle for first point
      1. @26<180 Enter
      2. Enter
    2. Enter
    3. Status Bar
      1. Dynamic Input on
    4. Snap to middle red guiding Circle for first point
      1. 26
      2. tab
      3. 180
        1. Enter
  9. Status Bar
    1. Dynamic Input off
    2. Polar Tracking on
      1. Increment = 90, 180, 270, 360...
  10. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Snap to top red guiding Circle for first point
      1. Move cursor until 180 deg Polar Tracking vector appears
        1. 26
          1. enter
      2. Move cursor until 270 deg Polar Tracking vector appears
        1. 16.5
          1. enter

Access to settings

Start with acad-polr-osnp-trak-01.dwg

acad-polr-osnp-trak-02.mp4 3:46

You can customize the way Polar Tracking works based on your preferences and/or workflow needs. Here you will be able to add increment angles, additional angles (single angle relative to 0 deg), set display preferences, set Osnap Tracking interaction preferences, and toggle between relative (direction of last drawn line segment is assumed as 0 deg) and absolute angle measurement. This section will walk you through these settings and their effect on Polar Tracking function.

  1. Open acad-polr-osnp-trak-begin.dwg
  2. Status Bar > Polar Tracking icon > Polar Tracking flyout > Tracking Settings

    1. Polar Tracking On = checked
    2. Polar Angle Settings
      1. Increment angle = 60
    3. OK
  3. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Left-click in anywhere in Model space to specify first point
      1. Rotate cursor around first point
      2. Observe 60 deg Polar Tracking angle increments
    2. esc
  4. Status Bar > Polar Tracking icon > Polar Tracking flyout > Tracking Settings
    1. Polar Angle Settings
      1. Additional angles = checked
      2. New
      3. 75
    2. OK
  5. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Left-click in anywhere in Model space to specify first point
      1. Rotate cursor around first point
      2. Observe 75 deg Polar Tracking additional angle
    2. esc

  6. Status Bar > Polar Tracking icon > Polar Tracking flyout > Tracking Settings

    Info: Clicking on the Options button inside of the Tracking Settings dialog box brings up the Options dialog box. Located in the upper-right corner are the on-screen visual options for AutoTrack which can be toggled ON/OFF.

Start with acad-polr-osnp-trak-02.dwg

acad-polr-osnp-trak-03.mp4 5:42

In this section you will be introduced to the Object Snap (aka Osnap) Tracking tool including functionality when combined with Polar Tracking and Dynamic Input. Keep in mind that for Object Snap Tracking to take effect, you will first need to have at least one Osnap turned on.

Basics

  1. Open acad-polr-osnp-trak-02.dwg
  2. Status Bar
    1. Polar Tracking on
    2. Object Snap Tracking on
    3. Object Snap on
  3. Status Bar > Polar Tracking icon > Polar Tracking flyout
    1. Increment = 45, 90, 135, 180...
  4. Status Bar > Object Snap icon > Object Snap flyout
    1. Endpoint = checked
  5. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
  6. Move cursor to hover over a Line endpoint
    1. Observe Object Snap Tracking activate
    2. Rotate cursor around active Object Snap Tracking location
    3. Observe Tracking vectors available based on Polar Tracking increments
  7. Move cursor to hover over additional endpoint
    1. Move cursor until Tracking vectors intersect

  8. Status Bar > Polar Tracking icon > Polar Tracking flyout > Tracking Settings...
    1. Object Snap Tracking Settings
      1. Track orthogonally only = checked
    2. OK
  9. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Move cursor to hover over a Line endpoint
    2. Observe Object Snap Tracking activate
    3. Rotate cursor around active Object Snap Tracking location
    4. Observe Tracking vectors available based on x and y-axes only
  10. Move cursor to hover over activated Object Snap Tracking location again to deactivate

Exercise: align objects

  1. Continue working in acad-polr-osnp-trak-02.dwg
  2. Status Bar > Object Snap icon > Object Snap flyout
    1. Midpoint = checked
    2. Insertion Point = checked
  3. Select both SECTION A-A and SECTION B-B Mtext objects
    1. Hold shift
      1. Select middle insertion point grips on both Mtext objects
      2. Note grip color change to red
    1. Release shift
  4. Select one red Mtext grip to begin Move command
    1. Move cursor to hover over insertion point grip
      1. Observe insertion point Osnap Tracking activate
    2. Move cursor to hover over midpoint of top sheet border Line
      1. Observe midpoint Osnap Tracking activate
    3. Move cursor to intersection of Osnap Tracking vectors
    4. Left-click to specify destination location for Move command

Exercise: lay out geometry

  1. Continue working in acad-polr-osnp-trak-02.dwg
  2. Status Bar > Object Snap icon > Object Snap flyout
    1. Endpoint = checked
  3. Status Bar
    1. Object Snap Tracking on
    2. Polar Tracking on
    3. Dynamic Input on
  4. Ribbon > Home tab > Draw panel > Polyline button
    1. Move cursor to hover over lower right sheet border Line endpoint
      1. Observe Object Snap Tracking activation
      2. Move cursor left of Endpoint Snap location along 180 deg Object Snap Tracking vector
        1. 26 enter
        2. Move cursor above Line first point along 90 deg Object Snap Tracking vector
          1. 16.5 enter
        3. Move cursor right of Line second point along 0 deg Object Snap Tracking vector
          1. 26 enter