topic Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines in AutoCAD Forum

Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 19:59:56 GMT

Half way through a drawing I find that when I try to draw a line, it moves only horizontally or vertically as I move the cursor, although when I enter length and angle it does end up to those coordinates. Up to now the line would follow the cursor wherever I moved it. Have I pressed something inadvertently to cause this to happen?

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

user181 — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 20:25:22 GMT

Try pressing F8 key to turn ortho off

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

ennujozlagam — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 04:09:28 GMT

Hello, i agree with @user181 just pressing F8 will do the trick. thanks

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

BeKirra — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 05:01:39 GMT

Agree with @user181 & @ennujozlagam

... and this may be added to your trick set if you just start to learn AutoCAD.

Click F8 key again to turn ortho back on.

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 08:40:58 GMT

Tried F8, but the problem still persists. Others also suggested F8 so it must have been a clear option, but to no avail. Any other thoughts?Kind regards, Neil

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

S.Faris — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 08:57:21 GMT

Is your SNAP on? Press F9 to Toggle

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

user181 — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 13:02:21 GMT

When you press F8 does it say anything on the command line like <ortho on> or <ortho off>? If not maybe it's the problem described HERE

You can also turn ortho on/off from the status bar. see image below.

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

s.borello — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 19:06:24 GMT

It sounds like you need to turn ortho off... see link to screencast below to see how to do this.

https://autode.sk/2Tzft9T

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 21:16:33 GMT

Problem solved. Shift 'O' turned off the Ortho Snap. F8 is totally dysfunctional, likely as a result of the computer set up disabling or setting the function keys to some other set of actions.Thanks to those who offered their help.

Re: Can draw only horizontal and vertical lines

hirahul1729 — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 19:07:10 GMT

Thank you so much! I was just struggling with this issue as well.