Moving Objects Along the Z Axis

[Anonymous]

I have AutoCAD 2015 (Educational Version) and I am a pretty casual user of AutoCAD. I mostly use it in classes or for projects as a hobby. So go easy on me.

I am trying to move an object from it's current position in space to 10' above that postion. Usually when I use the command 'move,' the X and Y axis lock and I can just ype the distance I want it to move along that locked axis. I would really love it if the Z axis did the  same. But it doesn't. If I remember correctly, it has something to do with the OSNAP command.

Basically: I need the Z-axis to have the same autolock that moving objects along the X and Y axis has.

And if you could also recommend a way to make this the default setting so I could just open a new .dwg file and not have to repeat the steps, I would love you forever.

Thank you, friends.

[3wood · Accepted solution]

It's nothing to do with OSNAPZ. You need change UCS to XZ or YZ then do the move. The default UCS is XY, that's why you can move along X and Y smoothly.

[Anonymous]

I've never moved the UCS before. I'll look for a tutorial on that.

I'll do some research into it on my own. But I think if I do: OSNAP > Polar Tracking > Object Snap  Tracking Settings > Track Using All Polar Angle Settings, it works okay now. But in the future I will have to learn the UCS trick!

Thank you so much for the quick reply.

[vanvan11]

you can directly change ucs when choose in upper left corner view current from top to left or front and x y change orientations

u can easely go back when press top again remember : up left corner, not the cube in up right corner

allso u can try when u r in 3d view u can easely move items (with F8) about xyz axes and no need to change ucs orientation

sorry for my bad engl

good luck with autocad

eng. Ivan Georgiev 

ps  OSNAP is just for snaping nothing more (my favorite snap is mid point)

[Anonymous]

There is a time and a place for manipulating the UCS - I don't think for the intended purpose this is one of them. You can easily move/copy objects in the Z axis at the command line. When prompted for the base point type in 0,0,0 and 0,0,Z-value as needed. Or just the displacement of 0,0,Z-value

[jdfnnl]

Great to be able to move objects along the z-axis without changing the UCS using the displacement option. However, I noticed that when the origin is moved to a location other than the world origin, this approach no longer works. In this example, I am trying to move this awning an inch away from the verticle surface along the z axis. When the UCS is at the world location and use the move command with the displacement option (entering 0,0,1) this works fine. With the origin moved, the same command moves the awning way out, seeming to add the difference from the origin's current location to the world location to the distance I entered. Isn't the displacement option intended to disregard any reference points other than the objects being moved?

[Kent1Cooper]

Do you have any running Osnap mode(s) on?  That's often the issue when something turns out in a different location than expected.

Also, post the command-line history of the operation, so we can see exactly how you are specifying the displacement [for example whether you're giving it 0,0,0 then 0,0,1, or 0,0,1 then Enter, or some other way].

[Anonymous]

In addition and supplemental to Kent Cooper's reply have a look at your OSNAPCOORD sys var, it controls keyboard entry priority. A setting of 1 will override object snaps.

[olddanb]

Thanks for explaining "You need change UCS to XZ or YZ". 

Could you not explain how to do that? 

Experienced guys. I'm sure you all mean well, but that's what happens when people are so far up the experience ladder, there feet don't touch beginner ground anymore.

Could have saved us all a lot of wasted dead end searches time with a simple how to explaination. I still have not located that change method. Extremely frustrating to be so close, and left hangin'.

Trained trainer.

[Anonymous]

One of the most useful things to remember is: always look at the command line for the command options that are give. Maybe the next most useful is experiment. Then look at the help file. In the old days we called that RTFM.

So now that I've shaken my fist at the cloud overhead. Type UCS, then depending on the current orientation X (or) Y then 90. Of course you'll want to have the UCS on, and remember if Dynamic UCS is on all your manipulation to the UCS may be for naught. 

[Anonymous]

Oh and hey. Here's another tip for UCS manipulation: Google "right hand rule"

[mgb228]

This is not solved. I followed these instructions and I still can not snap to my line in elevation and move up along the Z axis. It is flabbergasting that in 2021 I can move lines in x and y, but z. 

[pendean]

>>>...I can move lines in x and y, but z....<<<
@mgb228 since most of us can do what you wrote all day long in almost every version of AutoCAD, perhaps you can share with us a portion of your DWG file and explain with notes your desired start and finish points in your file, lets see what you see, lets touch what you touch.

[ggarza]

I just happened to be setting up my drafting approach for my updated program, and came across this looking for help on something LIKE what you are talking about.  I believe I understand what you are trying to... obviously there are other ways to do it, but:

In the upper right corner of your viewport you should have ViewCube (if not turn it on), right beneath it you should have a UCS (if not.. in the ViewCube settings menu (R-Click, ViewCube Settings), there is an option to turn it on).  Between these two visuals you should have a good idea of what is happening.

Likely, by standard, you see "Top" on the View Cube, and "WCS" (World Coordinate System) for the UCS.

A really quick way to manipulate your UCS to simply move something on a constaint Z axis is:

• Mouse over your ViewCube, an arrow will show below it.  Click it and your view will change to "Front".  (Obviously if you choose either side arrow, the view will change to "Left" or "Right".. doesn't matter)
• Next type "UCS" in the command line, hit enter.  select the option "View" or just type "V' and hit enter again.
• Now your ViewCube should still say "Front" or "Left" or "Right".. whatever you had set it to... BUT beneath it the UCS will say "Unamed".  Because you essentially created a temporary UCS based off your screen view and haven't named and/or saved it.
• Now you can move on a constraint WCS's Z-axis ... but... your doing it along an Unamed UCS's Y-axis.
• To get back your "regular" view.  Just click the upper arrow appearing on the ViewCube... it takes you back to "Top" view.
• Then just beneath it... select "WCS" as your UCS.

There is NO DOUBT other ways to do this, pending system variables and any custom UCS, views, viewports etc... this is just quick fix way I do it.

UCS stuff can be complicated for a new user, but I'd definitely learn some of the basics.  You'll realize you can save a lot of time drafting certain projects by manipulating, and saving custom UCS (USER Coordinate System)

[daveBT5BH]

.

[RobDraw]

If you change the UCS, you're not moving along the Z axis.

[BStaiger]

Great! This worked for me. Cheers