You typically rotate your screen view in AutoCAD by changing the User Coordinate System (UCS). Rotating the UCS aligns your drawing plane and grid with a different orientation, making it easier to work on angled objects. This gives the appearance of your screen content being rotated.
Understanding the User Coordinate System (UCS)
The UCS is a movable coordinate system that establishes the orientation of your work plane, horizontal and vertical directions, and other drawing aids like the grid. The default coordinate system is the World Coordinate System (WCS), where the X-axis is horizontal and the Y-axis is vertical, corresponding to a standard top view.
When you rotate the UCS, you are essentially telling AutoCAD to use a new set of axes for drawing and editing commands. The objects on your screen remain in their 3D space, but your view and drawing tools align with the new UCS orientation.
Steps to Rotate the UCS
While the exact steps can vary slightly depending on your AutoCAD version and interface setup (using the ribbon, command line, or icons), the general process involves activating the UCS command.
Here are common ways to rotate the UCS:
- Using the Command Line: Type
UCSand press Enter. Then, choose an option likeZAxis(to rotate around the current Z-axis, which is common for 2D rotation) or select an object, define 3 points, etc., to define the new orientation. - Using the Ribbon: Look for the Coordinate panel on the View or Home tab. There are various tools for manipulating the UCS, including rotation options.
- Using the UCS Icon: You can interact directly with the UCS icon displayed in your drawing area. Clicking on the icon itself often brings up grip options for moving or rotating the UCS.
When you rotate the UCS, you will notice the UCS icon and the grid also rotate to align with the new orientation.
Restoring the Original UCS (WCS)
The reference material highlights a common and quick way to return your coordinate system to the standard, default orientation (the WCS).
As indicated by the reference, to restore the original UCS, which is the WCS (World Coordinate System), just click on the [UCS] icon. And then select [the WCS option or a similar option like 'World' from the context menu that appears].
This action instantly resets the UCS back to the World Coordinate System, making the X-axis horizontal and the Y-axis vertical again, and the grid will also return to its default orientation. This is a quick way to snap back to a standard drawing view after working on angled sections using a rotated UCS.
In summary, "rotating your screen" in the context of AutoCAD typically refers to manipulating the User Coordinate System (UCS) to change your drawing plane and orientation, with restoring it to the World Coordinate System (WCS) being a key step for returning to the default view.
