Due to a burnt out harddrive, we've had to reload AutoCAD 2002 and it no longer draws a line of a specified length, but instead defaults to join up with anything that crosses it's path in the specified direction.

Does anybody know how to turn this blasted feature off?

13 people have looked but havent replied.

Does that mean I didn't explain very well, or doesn't anybody else know how to cure it?

Does anybody know what it might be called, so I can look for it myself?

I've looked in all the options I think it could be, but am drawing a blank

Life's like that sometimes. I've posted one query lower down on this page which has received 48 views, 0 replies and prompted by concerns about upgradability because of new developments.

RAARCHITECTS,

I think that Strix is the AutoCad expert around here. If you are patient she might come online and see this.
You may want to PM her for a more personal contact!

Thanks for the advice, but I've already asked Strix :rolleyes:

if she doesnt know then I dont know who can help you. Have you tried the manufacturer?

Autodesk have a very expensive helpline which requires membership, to the best of my knowledge :(

Could you explain what you mean a bit better?

Turn OSNAP off before entering the length of line?

I am no longer able to
click to start a line,
drag in a direction,
and key a distance
- IF there is a line lying in the direction specified.

It now believes it should end at the apparent intersection with the line that crosses it's path.

It didn't used to behave this way, and I always have a selection of OSnaps on.....

*goes to check there isn't one ticked that isn't usually*


Nope - OSnap as usual

Throw it through a window:thumbsup:

Do you suggest the monitor or the CPU goes first? ;)

hmm now that is a question.....

maybe all at once then you wouldn't have to mess about unfastening the wires

Sounds like something in tools, options or wherever it is on AutoCAD. I think you may be able to choose various defaults in there. Several hours of searching may give you the result you require! I haven't used AutoCAD for a while (now use Microstation) so can't quite remember!

Tim

Originally posted by TimmyR
Sounds like something in tools, options .....
That's what I thought :rolleyes:

I suspect it may be one of those 'system variables' that you need to know the command name of to be able to change, or even look at the settings in the help menu :mad:

I use have used autocad for over 12 years but i cant pin down that answer either. Have you looked down the systems variable list to see if anything could be used to control that feature.

What has surprised me is someone mentioned Microstation.

I thought i was the only person on the planet that used that ???

:o

Do you use a custom profile ?

I have just tried this on mine and its fine.

I can send you the profile to try if you want.

Where can I easily access the system variable list?

It's loaded on other machines here, so if it's easy to copy a profile we could do that here. How do we go about it?

How about sitting down at a drawing board and using a pencil and paper? Like in the good old days.

Have just looked into this

The area in question is called

Direct Distance Entry (Command Modifier)

There are however no associated variables for this command.

Heres a check list (do these one at a time until you hopefully find the one that works.)

Check your unit settings ie is 1 a mm or inch etc
Turn OFF all snaps
Turn OFF POLAR Snaps


Let me know if any of these work (i suspect the polar snap may be involved here)

Originally posted by NUCAD
I use have used autocad for over 12 years but i cant pin down that answer either. Have you looked down the systems variable list to see if anything could be used to control that feature.

What has surprised me is someone mentioned Microstation.

I thought i was the only person on the planet that used that ???

:o

Its used extensively in the rail industry. No one said the rail industry is up to date...

We do use solid edge a lot more these days however!

Originally posted by NUCAD
Check your unit settings ie is 1 a mm or inch etc
Turn OFF all snaps
Turn OFF POLAR Snaps

Let me know if any of these work (i suspect the polar snap may be involved here)
I'm on Grid Snap, not Polar
Polar tracking is off
I should be able to have my OSnaps on (as before)
The snap is actually off

Originally posted by TimmyR
Its used extensively in the rail industry.
The rail industry is the only industry I've ever seen advertising Microstation CAD jobs
Is it more suited to track geometry drawings than AutoCAD?

Originally posted by RAARCHITECTS

The rail industry is the only industry I've ever seen advertising Microstation CAD jobs
Is it more suited to track geometry drawings than AutoCAD?

Not really, its very similar to AutoCAD really except different buttons do different things eg. to cancel something its right mouse rather than escape (hard to get used to that!). I guess its something historical - having only been in the industry two years, I can't really comment on this!

Are we to understand that its still not working then ?

Nobody knows the answer to this one then?

'setvar' - return
then '?' will list all the variables but good luck figuring out which one is relevant. To be honest I can't figure out exactly what your problem is.

Thanks Wibbles :thumbsup:

That'll keep me busy for a bit :help: