Offset Start Point from Existing Point

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I recently upgraded to AutoCAD Lt 2019 from AutoCAD 2012. I used to be able to start a line or polyline command, hover over an existing point, say the corner of two intersecting lines, move the mouse in whichever direction I am wanting to start my new line, to the right for instance, type in the distance I want to offset my start point, let's say 3", and my new line would begin 3" to the right of the original node. Now, when I follow these exact same steps, my line starts in what to me seems a random spot that is not even in the same x, y directions as my starting node. Any ideas on why it's behaving this way would be greatly appreciated

[tboehler]

Try object snap tracking  (on) - F11.  Polor tracking - F10 might help also.

[Anonymous]

Those are already turned on. I use the tracking to go left or right, up or down and stay true to the original node.

[Anonymous]

Bump in the hopes of receiving a satisfactory answer. To clarify, I have snap and polar tracking turned on. It is almost as though after I input my distance to offset, the program tries to start my line from where I last clicked before entering a command. This does not mean it is continuing my line from the last line I drew like when you right click without selecting a start point.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

.... To clarify, I have snap and polar tracking turned on. ....

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Just checking....  Do you also have any appropriate running Object  Snap mode(s) on?  That's also necessary.

[Anonymous]

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@Kent1Cooperwrote:

Just checking....  Do you also have any appropriate running Object  Snap mode(s) on?  That's also necessary.

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By that do you mean if I have the snap on I am trying to use as my reference point? If so, then yes, that is how I am able to see that my tracking is on and working. After I have stretched my cursor in the appropriate direction and my green dashed tracking line is showing me that I haven't strayed, I will type in my distance, 3", and hit enter. My line starts neither 3" from nor in the same direction as my cursor was leading.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

For anyone encountering a similar issue, it seems that the function I was trying to perform won't work if your command bar isn't docked. I do not know why that affected the function, but it is what it is.

[thasenkamp]

rhowie313 - Does not have the answer, as my command bar is docked and it's picking a random point for the offet and asking for a second point.  Doesn't matter what you are trying to offset and where it is located, it will always pick the random first point for you and offset from that point!!  Was working totally normally yesterday and now today it's not!!!  Autocad is sooo frustrating.

[ucoskunNTADG]

Have you solved this problem?

The random position you mentioned was the last point of a line you draw previously.

Thanks.