autocad lines?

Question

i just started to learn drafiting for architecture in autocad and on our computers at school, when you draw a line you can drag it in the direction you want it to go and then type in how many feet you want it to go (ex: 3'). when i try to draw a line on the same version of autocad at home (2008), when i type in 3' a red box shows up around it and i doesn't work! under "drawing units" i have all the same settings: architecture, inches, decimel degrees, etc. what's going on??

Answer 1

In AutoCAD 2008, under the top heading for 'Tools' click on 'Drafting Settings'

A dialog box will open, click on the tab on the top of that box called 'Dynamic Input' there will be two boxes that you need to put a check in to enable that, there are also some more settings that go with that.

Answer 2

I haven't had the chance to work with AutoCAD 2008 yet,
(could you please email where you got it from)
But the red box is probably an Object Snap setting.

The best way to draw a simple line is to use the rectangular coordinate system; so type in 3,0 enter. That will draw a line that runs 3 feet to the right and doesn't go up so it will be parallel to the x-axis. You can use a relative coordinate system or an absolute coordinate system. If you prefix it with the "@" symbol then you are working in a relative system. Otherwise you are in a absolute coordinate system.

For the example given you can draw a box with the following commands:
l enter; 0,0 enter; 3,0 enter; 3,3 enter; 0,3 enter; c enter (that will cause the shape to close, or you could use 0,0).
If you want to use a relative coordinate system then you would use the following commands:
pick a point with your mouse and type @0,3 enter; @3,0 enter; @-3,0 enter; c enter or @0,-3 enter

In both case you are drawing a square with a 3' side. In the first case it would be like you graphed it out on a piece of paper. In the second case you are using your measurements and a @(+x,0) will send your line to the right, a @(0,+x) will send your line up, a @(-x,0) will send your line to the left, and @(0,-x) will send your line down all at the distance of x. If you are drawing a house you won't know the absolute coordinate system so you need to use a relative coordinate system to just move the distance you want to go in the direction you want to go.

If you get the two systems confused then you end up with lines at odd angles so don't forget to use that at symbol "@".

I used to be an AutoCAD wiz so if you need more help feel free to email me.

Answer 3

Yeah it might be an object snap liek the guy above me mentioned. you may just need to zoom in a bit.

I use 2008 at work here and i've never had that problem. Although i have to type 36 for three feet. But i never mess with the units, since my company only uses inches.

Answer 4

Do you advise to tell me that there actual are architects who will use AutoCAD for greater then user-friendly information? My version, AutoCAD 2004 properly matched, demands that I enter the gap first and then the perspective if i'm drawing by way of distance and the perspective first and then distance if drawing by way of perspective. Sorry, I actual have not tried 2008 yet.

Answer 5

I agree you just might have to zoom in to see it. If you type on you keyboard z for zoom and hit enter and then e for extence the hit enter it should show up. I hope this works for you keep trying and dont give up.