When creating or moving objects, you can specify a point by moving the cursor to indicate a direction and then entering the distance.
To specify a line length without entering coordinates, you can specify the second point of the line by moving the cursor to indicate a direction and then entering the distance from the first point. You can also enter calculated distances and points using the QuickCalc calculator or the command line calculator (CAL).
You can use direct distance entry to specify points for all commands requiring more than one point. When the cursor is locked to an angle with Ortho mode or polar tracking is on, this method is an efficient way to create lines of specified length and direction, and to move or copy objects.
To specify an angle override, enter a left angle bracket (<) followed by an angle whenever a command prompts you to specify a point. The example below demonstrates how to specify a 30-degree angle override when you create a line.
Command: line
Specify first point: Specify a start point for the line
Specify next point or [Undo]: <30
Angle Override: 30
Specify next point or [Undo]: Specify a point
The angle you specify will lock the cursor, overriding Grid Snap, Ortho mode, and PolarSnap. However, coordinates and object snaps take precedence over an angle override.