Specifying Drafting Options

Use the DraftingOptions command to configure the drawing environment including EntitySnaps, snaps, grid display, EntityGrips, and entity selection.

To set up drafting tools and preferences:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Pointer Control, Display, or Entity Selection to set up drafting tools and preferences.

To set up EntitySnaps:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Pointer Control > EntitySnaps.
3. Select Enable EntitySnaps (ESnaps) to enable or disable the use of entity snaps.
4. Select Geometry ESnaps and Reference ESnaps so you do not need to invoke them as you draw. See Understanding EntitySnap Modes.

To set up snap options:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Pointer Control > Snap Settings.
3. Select Enable Snap to enable or disable snaps.
4. Under Type, set:
• Standard (snaps to grid): Causes the pointer to snap to points at specified horizontal and vertical spacings.
• Radial (RSnap): Causes the pointer to snap to points along a radial vector. Polar guides must be on for this functionality to work.
5. Under Spacing, set:
• Match Grid spacing: Forces the pointer to snap along vertical or horizontal grid points when specifying points.
• Horizontal Snap spacing: Sets the horizontal spacing of the snap grid.
• Vertical Snap spacing: Sets the vertical spacing of the snap grid.
• Match horizontal spacing: Transfers the value for horizontal spacing to the value for vertical spacing, so that grid display is evenly spaced in the X and Y directions.
• RSnap spacing: Specifies the spacing when using the RadialSnap type.

Note: You can customize snap and grid settings for each ViewTile.

To set up EntityTrack guides:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Display > ETrack and set:
• Enable EntityTracking (ETrack): Displays orthogonal (horizontal and vertical) tracking guides when the pointer moves over EntitySnap points. (EntitySnap guides must be enabled).
• Display ETrack guides across screen: Displays tracking guides. (EntitySnap guides must be enabled). When cleared, tracking paths display between the EntitySnap location and the pointer position.
• Enable Shift to acquire reference points: Displays tracking guides when you hold down Shift and move the pointer over an EntitySnap point.

To set up polar guides:

• See Using Polar Guides.

To set grid settings:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Display > Grid settings:
3. Select Enable Grid to enable or disable the display of a pattern of evenly spaced dots that serve as a visual distance reference.
4. Under Orientation, set:
• Rectangular: Orients the snap grid and grid display rectangularly.
• Isometric: Orients the snap grid and grid display at a 60° angle.
5. Under Spacing, set:
• Match Snap spacing: Sets the grid spacing so that it matches the Snap settings .
• Horizontal display spacing: Sets the horizontal spacing of the grid.
• Vertical display spacing: Sets the vertical spacing of the grid.
• Match horizontal spacing: Transfers the value for horizontal spacing to the value for vertical spacing, so that grid display is evenly spaced in the X and Y directions

To set drafting settings:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Display > Pointer Cues and set:
• Display ESnap cues: Displays ESnap markers when the pointer encounters ESnap points. The highlighting shows the ESnap mode you can apply. You can also set the cue color.
• ESnap cue size: Sets the display size of ESnap markers.
3. Expand Gravity Box and set:
• Enable ESnap gravity: Pulls the pointer to an EntitySnap point when the pointer moves near the point.
• Display GravityBox: Displays a box inside the crosshairs when you snap to an entity. When snap points come within this box, they become candidates for ESnaps. Adjust the GravityBox size.

To set entity selection methods:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Entity Selection > Selection Settings and set:
• Automatic window/cross selection: Creates a selection window when you specify a point outside an entity.
• Enable entity selection before commands: Lets you select entities first, then issue modifying commands on the selection set. If entities are not yet selected, you are prompted for entities. To clear the current selection set, press Esc. Pre-selection has no effect on Split, Trim, Extend, Chamfer, and Fillet commands.
• Enable hatch/boundary relations: Selects Hatch entities and boundary entities when you select a related Hatch.
• Enable EntityGroup selection sets: Selects all entities in an EntityGroup when you select one entity in that EntityGroup.
• SelectionBox size: Defines the display size of the SelectionBox (the pointer used to select entities).

To set entity selection highlighting:

1. Type DraftingOptions at the command prompt.
   
   In the Options dialog box, the User Preferences page opens and Drafting Options expands.
2. Expand Entity Selection > Pre-selected highlighting and set:
• When prompted to specify entities or points: Preview selections when a command is active and you are prompted to specify entities.
• Between commands: Preview selections when no commands are active.

To set EntityGrips (EGrips) preferences:

• See Setting EntityGrips Preferences.

Access

Command: DraftingOptions