Finding the Coordinate of a Point

If you need to find the coordinates of several points in reference to a datum point, you must first set up a UCS with its origin at the datum point. You can then use the ID command to quickly find the coordinates.

1. Choose Tools è New UCS è Origin, or enter ucs↲ Origin↲ at the command prompt.

2. At the Specify new origin point <0,0,0>: prompt, use an osnap to select the datum point.

3. Choose Tools è Inquire è ID Point.

4. At the Specify point: prompt, use an osnap to select the exact point in your drawing. The coordinates are displayed in the command line.

   If a reference datum point is not important, you can skip steps 1 and 2 and start at step 3.

   If the coordinate system you're measuring from is at an angle in relation to AutoCAD's default or WCS, you can rotate the UCS around the z-axis before using the ID command:

1. Choose Tools è New UCS è Z.

2. At the Specify rotation angle about Z axis <90>: prompt, enter an angle or select two points to indicate an angle graphically. The UCS rotates to the new angle.

3. Go to step 3 of the previous example to obtain the coordinates of the point you want.

   If you'd like to learn more about the UCS, see Chapter 6.