Expert: Bob - 3/5/2008

Question
I am working in AutoCAD LT 2008. I am a beginner and have very little background. I am trying to draw a linear line that starts at 0,0 and ends at 200'. If I type in the coordinates in the command window as follows:
Specify first point: 0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: 0,200'
Specify next point or [Undo]:c
The line goes off the screen and can't be seen even with Aerial View. I have turned off Drawing Limits or increased the limit size. What am i doing wrong?

Answer
Hi
Not to be harsh, but (from the evidence I read) the problem is that you are poking around on your own and wasting your time, without a good book next to you -- or, better, a class. Self-learning typically leads to arcane habits in AutoCAD.
Since the books may cover the entire classic theory of AutoCAD, not how it is used today, you may need to have a person to help you, or view lots of online tutorials (use google for <<autocad tutorial>> -- LT is the same for basics.
I will assume you understand drafting -- if not, you need to.
Somewhere in books, it does say to start by typing co-ordinates.
In the real world, people generally pick a point and start the drawing.
To draw a line of 200' from where you are:
--click
-- have OSNAPS, POLAR, & OTRACK on in the taskbar
-- drag your cursor to the right(to draw on the x coordinate), up (positive Y value) etc (you can use polar setings for angles)
--type <<200'>>
DONE
Aerial view?? why? If you want to see all your drawn objects (other than on frozen or off layers). simply double click the wheel. If that does not work, you need to change the setting in OPTIONS. Poke through them -- its good learning
If your limits are wrong, you began the drawing wrong. You should open the drawing on a template suited to your work (for instance Imperial Architectural)-- or have one created for the office.
Have you watched this?
______http://www.adskhost.com/2007/03/1048/

Sorry, I have a lousy cold and am probably crabby -- but my point is that you need to have the proper backing so you can learn efficiently. Otherwise strange beginner problems such as the one you write will drive you nuts and you will get no work done.

BOB