AutoCAD compatible coordinate input

Thanks to the increased level of compatibility, you can come across a number of features and interface elements that provide effective help in case you have worked in other CAD environments so far. The following tools are available for this:

The comma as separator
You can use the comma as separator for coordinate inputs. For this you have to switch off the Comma (,) in Decimal point allowed option in the File menu -Options - Units and angles

For example if you want to draw a line from point X=0; Y=0 to point X=3; Y=4, it is enough to do the followings:

• Start the line drawing command.
• Type 0, 0 (0,SPACE0) and press Enter to specify the coordinates of the start point of the line.
• Type 3, 4 (3,SPACE4) and press Enter to specify the coordinates of the end point of the line.

By switching off the option the comma (,) is interpreted as a separator instead of a decimal point. Use the dot (.) character for decimal point.

Absolute coordinate input
You can specify relative or global coordinates. Set the Global / Relative coordinate icon in the status bar to global. In case of absolute coordinate input the syntax is the following:

X,Y ENTER.

In that case the global origin is taken into consideration and the coordinate input is relative to this point. The symbol of the global origin is represented as follows:

Relative coordinate input mode

If you precede a coordinate with an @ sign it will be interpreted as a relative coordinate.

In case of relative coordinate input mode the syntax is the following:

@X,Y ENTER.

In that case the last specified point is taken into consideration and the coordinate input is relative to this point. Use this possibility if it is easier to specify a point relative to previous point than specifying the global coordinates.

The Relative coordinate input mode  is represented as follows:

If the Global / Relative coordinate icon is set to relative, it is enough to use the X, Y ENTER syntax for the coordinate input.

Polar coordinate input
If you precede an angle with a < sign it will be interpreted as a polar coordinate.

Often you know only the angle and length values. In that case use the polar coordinate input. It can be very helpful if you wish to draw a line with a length of 2.53 m and an angle of 32°. You can specify absolute or relative polar coordinates as well.

Absolute polar coordinate input
In case of absolute polar coordinate input the syntax is the following:
numR<numFi, where
numR is the distance from the global origin,
numFi is the angle.
Use this input method when you know the distance and angle relative to the global origin.

Relative polar coordinate input

If you precede a length with an @ sign an angle with a < sign it will be interpreted as a relative polar coordinate.
In case of relative polar coordinate input the syntax is the following:

@numDir<numFi , where

numDr is the distance from the previously specified point,
numFi is the angle.