Controlling the UCS Icon in 3D

To indicate the orientation of the UCS, you should display the UCS icon whenever your work requires you to switch between coordinate systems. (In AutoCAD LT, this icon is off by default.)

The UCS icon serves as a reference for the current status of the user coordinate system. By looking at the amount of icon distortion and the position of the icon, you can establish the current planar orientation of your drawing.

The UCS icon provides additional graphics to indicate your orientation.

• A plus sign (+) indicates that the icon is displayed at the origin (0,0,0).
• A W on the Y axis indicates that the UCS is coincident with the World Coordinate System.
• A box at the corner of the icon indicates that you are viewing the UCS icon from the positive Z direction looking toward the negative Z direction (that is, from above).
• A broken pencil icon appears when the edge of the XY plane of the current UCS is almost parallel to your viewing direction or display screen. This icon warns you not to specify coordinates with the pointing device in this viewport.