How to Turn Off Angle Tracking in AutoCAD?

Understanding Angle Tracking in AutoCAD

Angle tracking, also known as polar tracking, helps users draw lines or make selections at specific angles relative to the previous point. However, there are times when you might want to disable this feature. Here is how to turn off angle tracking in AutoCAD.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Angle Tracking

1. Active Workspace: Open AutoCAD and ensure that your workspace is set to one that you are comfortable with, such as Drafting and Annotation.

2. Identifying Polar Tracking: Look at the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window. You should see a button labeled "Polar" along with a small angle display next to it. This indicates that polar tracking is currently enabled.

3. Turning Off Polar Tracking:

   • Using the Status Bar:
     1. Simply click on the Polar Tracking button on the status bar. When it is greyed out, it means that the feature is disabled.
   • Using Shortcut Key:
     1. Press the F8 key on your keyboard. This key is the toggle for Ortho and Polar Tracking. If the status bar indicates that Polar Tracking is turned off, you have successfully disabled it.
4. Confirming the Change: After following the steps above, verify that angle tracking is disabled by trying to draw a line. Move your cursor around; you should see that it no longer snaps to specific angles.

Alternative Methods to Control Angle Tracking

• Using the Command Line:

  1. Type the command _POLAR into the command line and press Enter.
  2. When prompted, you can set the value to 0 to deactivate angle tracking.
• Accessing Options:
  1. Type OPTIONS into the command line and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Drafting tab in the dialog that appears. Here, you will find options related to polar tracking.
  3. Uncheck the Enable Polar Tracking option and click OK.

What to Do If Issues Persist

Occasionally, angle tracking might still appear active due to overrides or other settings. To fully eliminate these influences:

1. Check Dynamic Input: If dynamic input is on, it might cause unwanted tracking. You can toggle Dynamic Input by pressing the F12 key.

2. Inspect UCS Settings: If using a specific UCS, it might affect how angles and tracking are interpreted.

3. Explore Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with the function keys, as they can greatly improve your ability to quickly toggle features like angle tracking.

FAQs

1. What does angle tracking mean in AutoCAD?
Angle tracking in AutoCAD allows users to draw lines at specified angles, facilitating the creation of precise drawings. When enabled, it helps snap to angles while drafting.

2. How can I temporarily override angle tracking without disabling it?
To temporarily disable angle tracking while drawing, you can hold down the Shift key. This will allow you to make freehand movements without snapping to specified angles.

3. Can I customize the angle increments for tracking?
Yes, you can customize the angle increments in the Drafting Settings dialog. Access this by right-clicking the Polar Tracking button on the status bar and selecting Settings. Here, you can specify the angles at which tracking activates.