Expert: J. B. Borge - 2/5/2009

Question
i use the newest model of autocad at school and I'm very good at it. for something to do my teacher gave me autocad 2000 and i cant figure it out. how do i get a line to be drawn to the distance i want? thanks

Answer
Ryan, first ensure you're in 'world' coordinate system. If your teacher haven't covered it, you can either use relative coordinate system or cartesian (absolute) system. These systems will work, regardless the Autocad release you use.

The syntax for relative: @(distance)<(angle)
Command: l
LINE Specify first point: (any floating point)
Specify next point or [Undo]: @20<0
Specify next point or [Undo]: @20<90
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: @20<180
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: c

The syntax for absolute: (x unit),(y unit)
Command: l LINE Specify first point: 0,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: 1,0
Specify next point or [Undo]: 1,1
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: 0,1
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: c

Another approach is to create your line, invoke 'lengthen' cmd & specify your distance:
Command: len
LENGTHEN
Select an object or [DElta/Percent/Total/DYnamic]: t
Specify total length or [Angle] <1.00)>: 5.0625

Hope this helps, let me know!
J. B. Borge