How To Turn Off Polar Tracking In AutoCAD?

Understanding Polar Tracking in AutoCAD

Polar tracking is a feature in AutoCAD that helps designers align objects at specified angles, enhancing precision in drafting. While this tool is beneficial for many tasks, there may be instances where you want to turn it off. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to disable polar tracking in AutoCAD.

Steps to Turn Off Polar Tracking in AutoCAD

1. Open AutoCAD: Launch the AutoCAD application and open your drawing file.

2. Access the Status Bar:

   • Navigate to the Status Bar at the bottom of your AutoCAD window. This is where various settings and modes are easily accessible.

3. Identify the Polar Tracking Button:

   • Look for the “Polar Tracking” button. It typically appears as a small triangle icon or may be labeled as "POLAR."
   • If the background of the button is highlighted, this indicates that Polar Tracking is currently enabled.

4. Disable Polar Tracking:

   • Click once on the Polar Tracking button to turn it off. The button should no longer be highlighted, confirming that Polar Tracking is disabled.

5. Alternative Method via Keyboard Shortcut:

   • Press the F10 key on your keyboard. This key serves as a toggle for the Polar Tracking feature, allowing you to switch it on and off quickly.
6. Check Your Settings:
   • To ensure that Polar Tracking is disabled, move your cursor within the drawing area. If the cursor no longer aligns itself to specific angles, the feature has been successfully turned off.

Switching Between Polar and Cartesian Coordinates

In addition to turning off polar tracking, users may need to switch between polar and Cartesian coordinate settings based on their drafting needs. To do this:

1. Access Drafting Settings:

   • Enter DSETTINGS into the Command Line and press Enter. This opens the Drafting Settings dialog box.

2. Select the Dynamic Input Tab:

   • Navigate to the "Dynamic Input" tab within the Drafting Settings dialog.
3. Change Dimension Input Format:
   • Under the Dimension Input section, click the “Settings” button. Here, you can choose between Polar or Cartesian formats as per your requirements.

Identifying if Polar Tracking is Enabled

To quickly identify whether Polar Tracking is active:

• Observe the Status Bar for a highlighted Polar Tracking button.
• You can also monitor the cursor’s behavior. When Polar Tracking is on, the cursor aligns with specified angles. If it moves freely without restrictions, then Polar Tracking is off.

FAQs

1. How can I turn off object snap tracking in AutoCAD?

• Similar to turning off polar tracking, locate the Object Snap tracking button on the Status Bar and click it to disable the feature. You can also press the F3 key to toggle Object Snap on and off.

2. Can I temporarily disable polar tracking while drawing without changing the setting?

• Yes, you can hold down the F10 key while you work to temporarily disable polar tracking. Releasing it will re-enable the feature.

3. What are the benefits of using polar tracking in AutoCAD?

• Polar tracking allows for precision and efficiency by providing guidance for drafting at specific angles. It is particularly useful in architectural and engineering layouts where angle alignment is crucial.