Draft Coordinates

Description
Draft Workbench tools allow you to pick points, distances, radiuses, and angles graphically by clicking on the 3D view with the pointer.

However, when these parameters need to be precise, it is possible to enter the desired values in the dialog for the tool.



Draft command bar


The Draft command bar is an intelligent toolbar, which means its contents change according to the tool being used, and the input required from the user. For example, when using Draft Circle, the command bar will ask you for the center point, and then the radius value. These two parameters can be indicated by either picking a point on the screen or by entering numbers.

Whenever you see input fields appearing on the command bar, you can enter numbers in them; moreover, you will see that those numbers reflect the movements of the pointer.
 * Press or  to advance to the X, Y and Z fields; pressing  when in the Z field will record the point.
 * to switch between absolute and relative coordinates.
 * to swap between original mode and copy mode.
 * to lock/unlock the Z coordinate.

Locking of Z coordinate
Sometimes, it can be hard to align objects when working in 3D space. You can lock the Z coordinate, so you'll be certain that everything you draw will lie in the same horizontal plane. When you open FreeCAD, the Z coordinate is locked by default at 0.00, but you can easily change it; just unlock it, change the Z value, and lock it again. If the Z coordinate is locked, you won't be able to draw in non-horizontal planes.

Most of the Draft commands now work in 3D, just unlock the Z coordinate and switch the view to the appropriate angle, and what you'll draw next will be aligned to that view.

Impose a decimal
By default, FreeCAD works with two decimal places, to change the number of decimal places, you must:
 * add a new integer element Decimals in the menu Tools → Edit parameters... → BaseApp → Preferences → Units
 * make right click in the window and select New integer item → create name Decimals  and enter the number of decimal places you want.
 * then click, to validate your change.
 * close and return to FreeCAD to activate your changes.