Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools

Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools
Before you finish this chapter, you’ll want to know about a few of the other drafting tools that are
common to drawing programs. These tools may be compared to a background grid (Grid mode),
scale (Coordinate Readout mode), and a T-square and triangle (Object Snap Tracking mode and Polar
Tracking mode). These drawing modes can be indispensable tools under certain conditions. You
won’t use them in any exercises, but their use is fairly straightforward. You can experiment with
them on your own using the information in this section.

Using Grid Mode as a Background Grid
Using Grid mode is like having a grid under your drawing to help you with layout. In AutoCAD,
Grid mode can also let you see the limits of your drawing, because the grid can be set to display only
within the limits setting of your drawing. Grid mode can help you visually determine the distances
you’re working with in any given view. In this section, you’ll learn how to control the grid’s appearance.
The F7 key toggles Grid mode on and off; you can also click the Grid button in the status bar.



To set up the grid spacing, follow these steps:
1. Choose Tools  Drafting Settings, or type Ds↵ to open the Drafting Settings dialog box,
showing all the mode settings.
2. Click the Snap And Grid tab. You see five groups: Snap Spacing, Grid Spacing, Polar Spacing,
Grid Behavior, and Snap Type. Notice that the Grid X Spacing text box contains a value
of 1⁄2˝. Metric users see a value of 10.



TIP You can use the Gridunit system variable to set the grid spacing. Enter Gridunit↵, and, at the
Enter new value for GRIDUNIT <0´-0>: prompt, enter a grid spacing in
X,Y coordinates. You must enter the Gridunit value as an X,Y coordinate.
You can set the grid spacing by entering a value for the Grid X spacing and Grid Y spacing
values. In the Grid Behavior group, the Display Grid Beyond Limits check box lets you determine
whether the grid displays outside the limits of the drawing.
Click the Grid On check box to make the grid visible. Notice the F7 in parentheses: This tells you
that the F7 function key also controls the Grid On/Off function. Click OK to dismiss the Drafting
Settings dialog box and save your setting.
Once you’ve set up your grid, you can now press F7 or click Grid in the status bar to turn the grid
on and off. (You can also hold down the Ctrl key and press G.)