Autocad LT 2017 Dynamic Input Cartesian Format Not Working

[andrew_sDLNKQ]

 Hi - I'd prefer my ToolTip use cartesian rather than polar coordinates.  I attempted to change this at Dynamic Input Settings -> Drafting Settings -> Dynamic Input -> Pointer Input -> Settings, but it had not affect.  Andy

[pendean]

The command name is DYNPIFORMAT: it's a system variable. Look up usage in HELP. You want setting 1, can you do that at the commandline?
BTW, is DYNMODE turned on? A requirement for it all to work.

[Emmsleys]

Hi @andrew_sDLNKQ, 

Welcome to the AutoCAD LT forum board.

DYNPIFORMAT (System Variable) 

Controls whether pointer input uses polar or Cartesian format for coordinates. This setting applies only to a second or next point.(0=Polar, 1=Cartesian) 

Help link: 

[andrew_sDLNKQ]

Dean and Sarah - Thanks so much for the reply.  I tried your suggestion, but unfortunately, it had no affect.  See attached video.  Any other suggestions?

[pendean]

Nothing attached.

[andrew_sDLNKQ]

I recorded the video with the Autodesk screen cast tool.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-lt/learn-explore/caas/screencast/Main/Details/9be0790...

[pendean]

Forgive me, but in your video it appears you are expecting something to appear in the dyn display: what are you expecting?

[andrew_sDLNKQ]

Hi Dean,

The line tooltip is taking polar coordinates (length and angle).  I was expecting something that takes Cartesian coordinates(x and y).  See screen capture below.  Thanks.

[pendean]

I believe you want to turn on COORDINATES display at the bottom bar (see image), then set COORDS system variable to the display type you wish to observe.

[andrew_sDLNKQ]

Yes Dean, that works.  I guess there is no getting to Cartesian coordinates on the tooltip?  I see how to enter them on the by first typing the "@" symbol. Its interesting that the line tool uses Cartesian coordinates for the first point but not for subsequent points, even though the configuration below clearly says "For second or next points" and DYNPIFORMAT says <1> which says "This setting applies only to a second or next point."  Maybe it is and AutoCAD LT limitation or a 2017 bug?

[pendean]

Did it behave differently in other versions for you? I'm in AutoCAD 2016, not LT, right now and it's not doing anything like you desire. Neither is AutoCAD Architecture 2017 which I also have open at the moment.

I don't have anything lower and the already-buggy AutoCAD/LT2018 is not installed yet so I can't comment there.

[andrew_sDLNKQ]

Hi Dean.  I'm a newbie so I don't know about previous versions.  I just started with the line tool in the hitchhikers guide, and polar coordinates struck me as odd. Thought there might be a configuration, but the configuration didn't seem to work either.  Hence my question.  Not a huge deal for me, Cartesian just seemed more natural for my project which is to place components on a control panel.  The rectangle and circle tool took care of that together with the "@" command.  Thanks for you time!

[pendean · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the info: glad we could help in some way!