Coordinate Fields

When creating or sizing objects, you can define points by entering them directly into the Coordinate Fields. By default, this toolbar is located at the lower right corner of the screen. img When moving the cursor, the values in the fields update dynamically. The type of coordinates depends on the coordinate system you are using. In the absolute and relative coordinate systems you use X, Y coordinates. In the polar coordinate system you enter an angle and distance. You can access the numeric fields via the cursor, or by pressing Shift+Tab or Ctrl+R. You can also press Tab to scroll between Coordinate fields.

Tip: If you want to jump from the Inspector Bar to the Coordinate Fields, first press Esc, then Ctrl+R.

If you enter a value and press Enter, Any Ortho or snap modes are ignored. You can also enter the results of mathematical expressions from the Calculator. Locking: You can lock a coordinate by clicking the lock box. This means that no matter where you place the cursor, the value will remain fixed. img You can also lock coordinates by using the Lock options in the Modes menu.

Tip: The Coordinate Field locks are particularly useful when you lock just one field. If you use a locked value in one field, you can then set the second coordinate using the mouse. This makes it easy to define a series of points along a specific horizontal or vertical line.

The Coordinate Field also provides access to snap modes. Disable the SNAP button to temporarily turn off any running snaps, and disable the GEO button to temporarily turn off any running geometric aids Right-clicking on either the SNAP or GEO fields opens the Drawing Aids window. img