Object Snap Tracking

Topics Covered in This AutoCAD Tutorial:

Object Snap Tracking

Exercise Preview

Exercise Overview

This exercise demonstrates Object Snap Tracking through a practical multiview projection drawing. You'll work with a partially completed technical drawing where the front and side views are already finished, along with projection lines extending from the side view to a 45° construction line. Your task is to construct the top view using Object Tracking techniques, drawing from the intersection points of the projection lines and diagonal line. The drawing includes a centerline that intersects both front and side views, indicating a circular hole's center point, with dashed lines showing hidden edges. This exercise mirrors traditional drafting methods—you'll create precise technical drawings without manually entering measurements, effectively using AutoCAD as a digital T-square and triangle set. This approach is fundamental to efficient CAD work and remains relevant in today's collaborative design environments where precision and speed are paramount.

Intro to Object Snap Tracking (F11 in the Status Bar)

Object Snap Tracking represents one of AutoCAD's most powerful precision tools, enabling you to create orthographic tracking lines from multiple Object Snap points and snap to their intersections. This functionality transforms how you approach dimensional accuracy—allowing you to match object dimensions, align elements during creation, and triangulate points relative to existing geometry with the same precision as traditional drafting instruments.

The tool operates only when Object Snap is enabled and functions exclusively within active commands. This design ensures tracking lines appear precisely when needed without cluttering your workspace. Modern CAD workflows rely heavily on this feature because it dramatically reduces measurement errors while accelerating drawing speed—critical factors in today's fast-paced design environments where accuracy and efficiency directly impact project timelines and client satisfaction.

Object Snap Tracking in Practice

Now let's apply these concepts through hands-on practice. This step-by-step exercise will build your confidence with Object Snap Tracking while creating a complete multiview projection.

1. Open the file Object Track Start.dwg.

2. Initiate the Line Command. Position your cursor over the endpoint at the upper-left corner of the front view without clicking—this establishes the snap point. Move the cursor upward until a vertical tracking line appears, aligned with that endpoint. Keep the Line Command active for the next step.

   

3. While maintaining the Line Command, move your cursor rightward to the intersection where the diagonal line meets the projection line from the side view's right edge. Hover over this intersection point (don't click), then pull leftward to generate a horizontal tracking line. Click precisely where this horizontal line intersects with your earlier vertical tracking line to begin your line segment.

   

4. Hover over the endpoint at the upper-right corner of the front view and pull upward to establish a vertical tracking line. Maintain cursor position on this vertical line and click when the line segment snaps to the horizontal tracking line, completing the segment. This creates the top edge of your top view with width perfectly matching the front view—demonstrating Object Tracking's precision advantage. Keep the Line Command active.

   

5. For the next segment, establish an object tracking line by hovering over the intersection where the side view's left edge projection meets the diagonal line. Pull your cursor leftward along the horizontal tracking line until it snaps to the vertical tracking line aligned with your previous line segment's endpoint. Click to complete this segment while maintaining the Line Command.

   

6. Hover over the endpoint at the upper-left corner and track upward along the vertical line until it intersects and snaps to the horizontal tracking line. Click on this intersection to complete the segment. Press C then Enter to close the outer perimeter and end the Line Command. You've now completed the basic outline using purely tracking-based measurements.

   

7. Restart the Line Command and apply Object Tracking to complete the left and right sides of the top view following the diagrams below. Remember the fundamental principle: hover to create tracking lines, click only to start or end actual line segments. This distinction is crucial for efficient Object Tracking workflow.

   

   

8. The front and side views clearly indicate a circular hole penetrating the object—shown by the centerline (which always marks a circle's center) and dashed lines representing hidden edges. Using the Circle Command with Object Tracking, you'll locate this hole's center by tracking from the front view's centerline and the intersection where the side view's centerline projection meets the diagonal line. Launch the Circle Command and follow the illustrated steps below.

   

   

9. Following the diagram instructions below, track from an endpoint on one of the hidden edges to the horizontal tracking line and click to establish the radius and complete the circle. This demonstrates how Object Tracking maintains dimensional relationships across multiple views.

   

10. Your top view is now complete, demonstrating Object Tracking's power in professional CAD work. This technique becomes indispensable in complex projects where dimensional accuracy and drawing speed directly impact productivity. Object Tracking will quickly become intuitive with practice, transforming from a conscious technique into natural workflow. For optimal skill development, we strongly recommend repeating this entire exercise from the beginning—repetition builds the muscle memory essential for efficient CAD operation in professional environments.