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Coordinate System

Coordinate System in Autocad

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51 views5 pages

Coordinate System

Coordinate System in Autocad

Uploaded by

dj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Activity No.

1
COORDINATE SYSTEM

The Cartesian Coordinate System


To draw accurately in an AutoCAD 2-Dimensional (2D) drawing, you must supply locations by entering XY
coordinates. The 2D coordinates are based on the Cartesian Coordinates System.

The Cartesian Coordinate System consists of two numbered lines crossing perpendicular to each other at
their zero values. The horizontal axis is called the X-axis, and the vertical axis is called the Y-axis as shown
in Figure 1.1. This allows you to assign a value to each location on a plane. Each coordinate location
consists of a pair of numbers, the first of which is the X-coordinate and the second is the Y-coordinate,
written (X,Y). For example, (3,4) is a location 3 units to the right 4 units up from X0,Y0.

Figure 1.1 Cartesian Coordinate System

Absolute Cartesian Coordinates


Absolute Cartesian Coordinated are always referenced to the absolute origin 0,0. For example: 3,4

Relative Cartesian Coordinates


Relative Cartesian Coordinated are incremental to the last input point. To indicate to AutoCAD that it is a
relative coordinate you are referring to, enter an @ before the coordinate. For example @2,6.

AutoCAD has been programmed to understand the @ symbol as meaning “The Last Point”. AutoCAD
always remembers the last point entered by the user so when the @ is used, for example: @2,4, that
means to AutoCAD “from the last point entered go 2 units in the X direction and 4 units in the Y direction”.
The @ is used in many different ways as you will see as you work your way through the modules.

AutoCAD Command: LINE


The New command is used to draw lines.
Command Line Syntax:
Command: LINE or Command: L
Figure 1.2 Line Icon at AutoCAD Home Bar

When possible, always draw in the positive quadrant. In almost all cases, X0,Y0 should be the bottom left
hand corner of your trimmed drawing.

When you start a drawing the first XY location is always specified using an absolute coordinate. After that,
relative coordinates are used. It would be difficult to calculate all coordinates as absolute.

When you are entering decimal numbers and your number ends in a zero, for example 4.0, just enter the
number up to the zero. In this case 4. If the number you are entering is 3.6700, then enter 3.67.

Using LINE command:


Command: LINE
Specify first point: 1.75,4
(Always start with an absolute coordinate. It must be an X then Y with a comma between them.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: @5,0
(Then change to relative coordinate. Note the @ first then X and Y.)
Specify next point or [Undo]: @0,2
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @2.5,0
(Note the negative coordinate since we are going in the negative X direction.)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,1.5
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @-1,1
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @-1.5,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @C
(You can use a C to close the last line and return to the first point.)
Command:
Figure 1.3 Object to be Drawn

Figure 1.4 Coordinates Used to Draw Object

If you are entering a positive number in AutoCAD, just enter on it’s own. Positive is the AutoCAD default.
If the number is negative, you must enter the – sign before the number. For example, if the number is 4.0,
enter 4. If the number is -4.0, enter -4.

Procedure
Using the LINE command:
Command: LINE
Specify first point: 7,5
Specify next point or [Undo]: @0,2
Specify next point or [Undo]: @-2,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @.75,1
(You can draw a line at an angle by entering both the X and Y coordinates.)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @-3.5,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @-.75,-1
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @U
(When you make an input error, enter a U to go back one step. More than one U can be entered to step
back further. Ensure you press the ENTER or SPACE after each one.)
Command:
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @.75,-1
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @-2,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,-2
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @1,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,.5
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @4,0
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @0,-.5
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @7,5
(The object was closed by entering the absolute coordinate.)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
Command:

Figure 1.5 Object Dimensions


Figure 1.6 Object Coordinates
1. Draw the object shown below.
2. Check your drawing with the key.
3. If you have any errors, correct your drawing.

Figure 1.7 Object for Drawing

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