ortho or polar tracking angle

Is it possible to match the ortho angle or the polar tracking
angle exactly to an existing line, in the same manner as using the
rotate command with the Reference mode?

The polar tracking angle can be set to any desired numerical
value, by entering the angle manually from the diaglog box.
Similarly, the grid orientation can be set to any desired angle, and
then with the ORTHO mode on, the cursor is constrained to move at
that angle and 90 degrees from it. But I have not found a way to
constrain the cursor to move at the angle of an existing line.

I could leave the ORTHO angle set to zero, then draw the desired
lines horizontal and vertical, and then rotate all of those lines to
match an existing line by using the rotate command with the Reference
mode; but that seem like a clumsy way to do it.

Autodesk Generic CADD has a "like" function that can be used to
set any of many parameter values, including ortho angle, to match
existing objects. Is there anything like that in AutoCAD?

If not, any other suggestions?

Dick Alvarez
alvarez at alumni dot caltech dot edu

 

If I understood you correctly, than try; ucs>new>3point(pick two endpoints
of object to set x and y than enter 1 for z. Than turn ortho on.

 

"B.A.K." wrote <<If I understood you correctly,
than try; ucs>new>3point(pick two endpoints of object to set x and y
than enter 1 for z. Than turn ortho on.>>

That worked great! Thank you for your help.

Since I just recently started using AutoCAD LT, I had been
avoiding the UCS icon, turning it off or ignoring it (per
instructions from my text book). I now am mending my evil ways!

Dick Alvarez
alvarez at alumni dot caltech dot edu

 

Hehe. I remember doing that too. "Why did they put that big stupid thing
there?"