AutoCAD F10 Shortcut :Toggle polar mode

AutoCAD’s F10 key controls Polar tracking, a drafting aid that constrains cursor movement to specified angles. This guide explains what the F10 shortcut does, how to use it step by step, how to customize polar settings, alternative ways to enable the feature, common reasons F10 may not work and how to fix them, plus practical tips and a FAQ.

What is the F10 shortcut?

The F10 shortcut in AutoCAD toggles Polar Tracking on and off. When Polar Tracking is enabled, the cursor snaps or “tracks” along preset angular directions (for example every 45° or custom angles) while drawing or editing. This makes it faster and more accurate to draw lines and place objects at consistent angles.

Key related concepts and commands:

• POLARTRACKING — system variable (0 = off, 1 = on)
• POLAR — command that opens polar options
• DSETTINGS — opens drafting settings (Polar Tracking tab) to configure angles
• F8 — toggles Ortho mode (restricts to 90° increments)
• F11 — toggles Object snap Tracking (tracking to object snap points)
• status bar Polar Tracking button — alternate toggle

How Polar Tracking works (explanation)

• When Polar Tracking is ON, AutoCAD shows temporary alignment guides (dashed extension lines) and constrains cursor movement to the defined polar angles.
• Polar Tracking can use an angle increment (for example every 15°, 30°, 45°) or specific tracking angles (custom angles you add).
• Polar Tracking is used during commands that require cursor input (LINE, PLINE, MOVE, COPY, etc.). It does not force a final point — it only supplies angle snaps; you still specify distance or exact coordinates.

How to use F10 (step by step)

1. Start AutoCAD and open or create a drawing.
2. Press F10 once to turn Polar Tracking ON. Press again to turn it OFF.
   • When ON, check the status bar: the Polar Tracking icon will be highlighted and may display the active angle increment.
3. Start a drawing command (for example, type LINE and Enter).
4. Move your cursor. AutoCAD will display polar alignment guides at the allowed angles and the cursor will snap to those directions as you move.
5. Click or type a distance to place the point constrained along the tracked angle.

Example usage:

• To draw a line at a 45° angle from an existing point:
  • Press F10 to enable Polar Tracking (if 45° is the active increment).
  • Start LINE from the base point; move the cursor along the 45° guide; click to set the end point.

Customize polar angles and increments

To change how Polar Tracking snaps:

Option A — Use Drafting Settings:

1. Type DSETTINGS and press Enter.
2. Select the Polar Tracking tab.
3. Choose Increment angle (for fixed increments like 15°, 30°, 45°) or add Additional angles (custom angles you want available).
4. Click OK.

Option B — Use the POLAR command:

1. Type POLAR and press Enter.
2. You can toggle and specify angle settings from the command prompts.

system variables:

• POLARTRACKING = 1 (on) or 0 (off)
• POLARANG = base polar angle (affects angle reference)
• Additional angles are configured through DSETTINGS in newer AutoCAD versions.

Alternatives to F10

• Click the Polar Tracking button on the status bar.
• Type POLARTRACKING at the command line and enter 1 (on) or 0 (off).
• Type POLAR to access polar options.
• Use DSETTINGS > Polar Tracking tab to manage advanced settings and additional angles.
• If you need strict orthogonal lines, use F8 (Ortho mode) instead of Polar Tracking.

Common problems and fixes (F10 not working)

Problem: Pressing F10 does nothing.
Possible causes & fixes:

• Keyboard function keys require the Fn key on laptops. Try Fn + F10 or toggle the Fn Lock in BIOS / keyboard settings.
• Another application or Windows setting is intercepting F10 (F10 often activates the menu bar in Windows). Test F10 in another program or use On-Screen Keyboard to send F10.
• Custom keyboard remapping (AutoHotkey, manufacturer software) may override F10. Disable or reassign those utilities temporarily.
• The Polar Tracking status bar icon is hidden or locked: right-click the status bar, ensure Polar Tracking is shown and not turned off.
• AutoCAD profile or workspace using custom CUI may have reassigned function keys: check Customize user interface (CUI) for F10 assignment.
• If the command line or another modal dialog is active, function keys may not respond. Make sure no other prompts are waiting.

Workarounds:

• Toggle Polar Tracking using the status bar button or command: type POLARTRACKING and set to 1.
• Use DSETTINGS to change settings even if F10 is unavailable.

Tips and best practices

• Use Polar Tracking for angled geometry and Ortho (F8) when you need strict horizontal/vertical lines.
• Combine F10 (Polar Tracking) and F11 (object snap tracking) to align new geometry to existing object points at precise directions.
• Add commonly used angles (like 30°, 60°, 75°) in DSETTINGS so you can track to those exact directions quickly.
• Watch the dynamic input tooltip if enabled (F12). It can display angle and distance values that speed up precise entry.
• If you need temporary angle-free movement while Polar Tracking is on, hold the Shift key and use grips or typing direct coordinates to override tracking.
• Keep the status bar visible so you can quickly see whether Polar Tracking is enabled.

FAQ

How do I draw at an angle not in the current polar increment?

Add that angle in DSETTINGS > Polar Tracking under Additional angles or temporarily enter the end point via coordinates or by using @distance<angle format at the command line (for example, @10<37 will draw a 10-unit line at 37°).

Can Polar Tracking snap to angles relative to an object (not the global UCS)?

Yes — use Object Snap Tracking (F11) together with Polar Tracking, or use tracking vectors from a specific object snap point (set in DSETTINGS).

What’s the difference between Polar Tracking and Ortho mode?

Polar Tracking allows movement along custom angle increments (e.g., every 30° or user-defined angles). Ortho mode (F8) restricts movement strictly to 0° or 90° relative to the current UCS.

How do I know Polar Tracking is on when I start AutoCAD?

Check the status bar for the Polar Tracking icon (highlighted when on). You can also type POLARTRACKING at the command line — a return value of 1 means ON.

Is there a way to temporarily disable Polar Tracking while keeping it enabled globally?

You can temporarily override tracking by entering exact coordinates or distance/angle input at the command line, or use object snap grips and direct coordinate entry for a single action.

My F10 works in other programs but not in AutoCAD — what should I check?

Check for AutoCAD workspace customizations that reassign function keys (CUI), verify the status bar setting, and confirm no modal dialogs are active. Also try the status bar button or the POLARTRACKING command as a test.

Can Polar Tracking use multiple angle increments at the same time?

Polar Tracking supports additional angles (custom angles) alongside the main increment. Configure them in DSETTINGS so multiple useful directions are available during drawing.