To change Ortho mode in AutoCAD, you can easily toggle it on or off using the Status Bar button or a keyboard shortcut.
Ortho mode is a drawing aid that restricts the cursor to only vertical and horizontal movements, making it very effective for creating straight lines in drafting. You can quickly switch between Ortho and other modes like Polar Tracking as needed, even while a command is active.
Methods to Toggle Ortho Mode
Changing the Ortho setting is straightforward and can be done in two primary ways:
- Using the Status Bar: Click the Ortho Mode button located on the Status Bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window. When the button is highlighted or blue, Ortho is on. When it's gray, Ortho is off.
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts: Press the F8 key on your keyboard. Each press of F8 will toggle Ortho mode on or off. Alternatively, you can also use the F10 key to switch between Ortho Tracking and Polar Tracking, as mentioned in drafting resources, allowing you to easily transition between controlled orthogonal movement and polar angle constraints without interrupting your current command.
Here's a quick overview of the common methods:
- Status Bar Button: Click ⬛ (looks like a right angle or square)
- Keyboard Shortcut: Press F8 or F10 (for switching between Ortho/Polar)
These methods allow you to quickly activate or deactivate Ortho mode, enabling you to draw precise horizontal and vertical lines when needed and turn it off for drawing at arbitrary angles or using other tracking methods.
