AutoCAD can be set so that it automatically switches the user coordinate system (UCS) on change of an orthogonal view. But this functionality works only when you switch named views, e.g. from the viewport menu (top left), not when you use the ViewCube or mouse-3Dorbit.
With our freeware utility, the reactor UCSauto, you can automatically switch UCS to the plane of your current View, whatever method you have used to set that view.
Download the LISP application UCSAUTO from Download and load it into your AutoCAD session e.g. with APPLOAD. This application has no command, it works automatically. It reacts to any view change (VIEWDIR) and if your current UCS is not coplanar with the view plane, it automatically creates and activates the named UCS "Recent UcsAuto" in the view plane. So you can always draw in "plan-view" in the currently active 3D view. The reactor works only if the UCSFOLLOW variable is enabled.
By setting the LISP variable:
(setq ucs:justforortho T)
you can limit the reactor functionality only to orthographic views. So it behaves in a similar way as switching of the named ortho-views, but here you can also use the ViewCube.
A similar tool - VSauto (also on free download) - switches the visual style of ortho and 3D views.
Sample:
Notice the ability to draw the circles always in "plan view" and the rendered visual style in general 3D views.
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Please use these tips at your own risk. Arkance Systems is not responsible for possible problems that may occur as a result of using any of these tips.