CAD tip # 6860:

Question CAD
% platform category

The many shapes of AutoCAD UCS icons.

One of the elements of the AutoCAD user interface you have constantly in front of your eyes is the icon of the user coordinate system (UCS). But only few users really know all shapes and options of this icon. It has also changed in the AutoCAD history.

The way the UCS icon is displayed is controlled by the UCSICON command and depends on the current settings of the coordinate system, view direction, visual style and other parameters.

Examples of the UCS icon and a legend to the individual cases:

UCS icons

[1] 2D, world coordinate system (WCS), display set to "origin" and the icon is displayed at origin
[2] 2D, world coordinate system (WCS), display set to "origin" but the origin is off-screen
[3] 2D, world coordinate system (WCS), display is not set to "origin"
[4] 2D, a user coordinate system (UCS) is active, display set to "origin"
[5] 2D, a user coordinate system (UCS) is active, display is not set to "origin"
[6] 3D, general world coordinate system, display set to "origin" and the icon is displayed at origin
[7] 3D, isometric view on the world UCS
[8] 3D, a general user coordinate system, the Z-axis points downwards (dashed)
[9] 3D, a special case of a user coordinate system, view to the XZ-plane
[10] the old "2D" style of the UCS icon from version 2000 and older (can be set in UCSICON), here the plan view of the world coordinate system ("W" was localized in older localized versions of AutoCAD)
[11] you can customize the look of your UCS icon through the UCSICON command (cones, width, color - see below)
[12] in 3D visual styles, the UCS icon is displayed shaded and in color; you can distinguish axes even with suppressed axis labels - XYZ = RGB

Quick hint: if you can see the box, you are in the world UCS, otherwise you are in a user UCS

The dialog of the UCS icon settings invoked by the UCSICON command with the option Settings (Czech version shown):

setting UCS icon

ACADLTADTCivilMapACADM

* CAD

19.8.2009 34542× FAQ

Comments Tell a friend

Prices - CAD eShop:

applies to: AutoCAD · AutoCAD LT · AutoCAD Architecture · Civil 3D · AutoCAD Map 3D · AutoCAD Mechanical ·

See also:
Tip 13620:	How to quickly rotate the view by 90° in AutoCAD LT?
Tip 12766:	Lines with a single grip, incorrect osnaps, intersections, offsets, hatches - CheckLarge
Tip 12374:	Quick dynamic measuring stopped to work.
Tip 1680:	Hatch pattern doesn't fill the entire polygon.
Tip 910:	I don't like the new UCS icon. Can I change the symbol?

Selected tip: How to draw arcs in AutoCAD multilines?

Back All CAD Tips

AutoCAD: unwind skipped on unknown exception « | » AutoCAD reports: "Updating Indexes for block *Model_Space"

Have we helped you? If you want to support the CAD Forum web service, consider buying one of our CAD applications, or our custom software development offerings, or donating via PayPal (see above). You may also add a link to your web - like this "fan" link:

CAD: OS: Categ:
Text:	FAQ glossary

Featuring:
Save your floating licenses (NLS) consumed by inactive users - free unused licenses with
LogOff 2006 More info

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.

	CAD Forum - tips, tricks, utilities, help, how-tos and FAQ for AutoCAD, LT, Inventor, Revit, Map, Civil 3D, Fusion 360, Forma, 3ds Max and other Autodesk software (support by Arkance Systems) - see About	Arkance Systems CZ s.r.o. (CAD Studio) - Autodesk Platinum Partner & Training Center & Consulting Services Partner	CONTACT: webmaster.cz@arkance-systems.com tel. +420 910 970 111
	Copyright © 2023 \| Advertise with us \| Online privacy

CZ \| EN \| DE
Login or
registration
	Visitors: 7104