Setting Up Custom Coordinate Systems

Use the CCS command to set coordinate systems and save, restore, rename, and delete them. By naming the current coordinate system, you can reuse it without reapplying the coordinate system parameters. The coordinate system is restored when you open the drawing again.

You can create multiple named coordinate systems for a drawing and use temporary unnamed coordinate systems.

Although you can have multiple custom coordinate systems in one drawing, only one can be the active coordinate system.

To set up a coordinate system:

1. Click Tools > New CCS > 3 Point (or type CCS).
2. Do one of the following:
   • On the menu, click Tools > Options.
   • Type CCS.
3. Specify an origin point for the custom coordinate system.
4. Specify a point through which the positive X-axis should run.
5. Specify a point in the positive area of the XY-plane.

   This point need not be located on the Y-axis.

6. If needed, adjust the coordinate system to a drawn entity in space using EntitySnaps.

To set up a coordinate system by fixing the Z-axis:

Note: The Z-axis is not used in 2D design.

1. Click Tools > New CCS > Z Axis Vector (or type CCS and specify the ZAxis option).
2. Type CCS and specify the ZAxis option.
3. Specify an origin point for the coordinate system.
4. Specify a point through which the positive Z-axis should go, starting from the origin.

   The option tilts the XP-plane orthogonally to the Z-axis.

To save a coordinate system:

1. Type CCS and specify the Named option.
2. Specify the Save option.
3. Type a name for the CCS.

   The CCS is saved to the name you specified.

To delete a coordinate system:

1. Type CCS and specify the Named option.
2. Specify the Delete option.
3. If you are unsure of the name of the coordinate system to delete, specify the ? option to view a list of named coordinate systems.

   Beneath the name, the origin of and direction vector of its three axes display in the command window.

4. Specify a coordinate system to delete.

   The named coordinate system is deleted.

To restore a saved coordinate system:

1. Type CCS and specify the Named option.
2. Specify the Restore option.
3. If you are unsure of the name of the coordinate system to restore, specify the ? option to view a list of named coordinate systems.

   Beneath the name, the origin of and direction vector of its three axes display in the command window.

4. Specify a coordinate system to restore.

   The named coordinate system is restored.

To align a coordinate system with an entity:

1. Click Tools > New CCS > Entity (or type CCS and specify the Entity option).
2. Type CCS and specify the Entity option.
3. Select the entity with which to align the CCS.

To switch to previous coordinate system views:

• Click Tools > New CCS > Previous (or type CCS and specify the Previous option).

  You can step back through up to ten coordinate systems in the active ViewTile.

• Type CCS and specify the Previous option.

  You can step back through up to ten coordinate systems in the active ViewTile.

To align the coordinate system with the active viewing plane:

• Click Tools > New CCS > View (or type CCS and specify the View option).

  The coordinate system aligns parallel to the active viewing plane.

• Type CCS and specify the View option.

  The coordinate system aligns parallel to the active viewing plane.

To set the World Coordinate System (WCS) as the active coordinate system:

• Click Tools > New CCS > World (or type CCS and specify the World option).

  The WCS becomes the active coordinate system.

• Type CCS and specify the World option.

  The WCS becomes the active coordinate system.

To rotate the coordinate system about an axis:

1. Click Tools > New CCS > X, Y, or Z (or type CCS and specify the X, Y, or Z option).
2. Type CCS and specify the X, Y, or Z option.
3. Type the rotation angle about the chosen axis.

   The coordinate system rotates about the specified axis. Rotating the coordinate system about the Z-axis is often used in 2D drawings, whereas rotating about the X- or Y-axis is used in 3D drawings.

  To rotate the coordinate system about two or three axes, repeat the step for each axis.

Access

Command: CCS

Menu: Tools > New CCS