Options Tool in AutoCAD – Complete Guide with Practical Examples

Last Updated: August 29, 2026

The Options tool in AutoCAD is one of the most useful settings areas for customizing the software environment and controlling how you work with drawings.

Instead of changing individual settings every time you start a drawing, the Options dialog box allows you to configure many important preferences in one place.

This guide explains the main Options settings in simple language and shows practical examples of when they can be useful.

Note: The exact appearance, available settings, and organization of the Options dialog box may vary between AutoCAD versions.

What Is the Options Tool in AutoCAD?

The Options tool contains settings that control various aspects of the AutoCAD working environment.

It can be used to configure things such as:

Display preferences
Drafting behavior
File locations
Selection behavior
Plotting settings
User preferences
System-related settings
Profiles
Online and application-related settings

The Options dialog box is particularly useful when you want AutoCAD to behave consistently according to your preferred drafting workflow.

How to Open the Options Dialog Box

There are several ways to access Options.

Method 1: Command Line

Type:

OPTIONS

Press Enter.

Method 2: Application Menu

Depending on your AutoCAD version, you can access Options through the application menu.

Method 3: Right-Click Shortcut Menu

In some AutoCAD workspaces, Options can also be accessed through the right-click menu.

The command-line method is often the quickest because you can type the command directly.

Main Areas of the Options Dialog Box

The Options dialog box contains several tabs or sections.

Common areas include:

Files
Display
Open and Save
Plot and Publish
System
User Preferences
Drafting
3D Modeling
Selection
Profiles

The available tabs can vary depending on the AutoCAD version and installed features.

Let's look at the most useful areas.

1. Files Tab

The Files section controls locations that AutoCAD uses to find different types of resources.

Depending on the AutoCAD version, these can include locations for:

Support files
Template files
Plot style files
Printer configuration files
Drawing templates
Customization files
Other application resources

Practical Example

Suppose your organization keeps custom AutoCAD templates in a dedicated folder:

D:\CAD\Templates

You can configure the appropriate file location so that AutoCAD can find the required templates more easily.

This is especially useful in offices where multiple users work with standardized CAD resources.

2. Display Tab

The Display settings control many visual aspects of the AutoCAD interface and drawing area.

Depending on your version, you may find settings related to:

Window elements
Display resolution
Layout elements
Crosshair size
Colors
Display performance
Smooth line display
Command-line or interface behavior

Practical Example: Crosshair Size

If the crosshair is too small for comfortable drafting, you can adjust its size in the Display settings.

A larger crosshair can make it easier to identify the cursor position when working on a detailed drawing.

3. Open and Save Tab

The Open and Save section controls settings related to opening and saving drawings.

This area can include settings related to:

Automatic save
File format
Thumbnail previews
Temporary files
Digital signatures
External references
Save-related behavior

Practical Example: Automatic Save

Imagine that you are working on a detailed floor plan for several hours.

If AutoCAD closes unexpectedly, an automatic save can help reduce the amount of work that might otherwise be lost.

You should still save important drawings manually at regular intervals.

Good Practice

Use a meaningful file name and maintain regular backups.

For example:

Residential_Floor_Plan_Rev01.dwg

and later:

Residential_Floor_Plan_Rev02.dwg

This makes it easier to identify drawing revisions.

4. Plot and Publish Tab

The Plot and Publish section contains settings related to plotting and publishing drawings.

These settings can be useful when working with:

PDF output
Printers
Plotters
Multiple-sheet publishing
Plot settings
Background processing

Practical Example

Suppose a drawing looks correct on your screen but the printed PDF has incorrect lineweights.

Instead of changing the geometry, review:

Plot style
Lineweight
Page setup
Printer/PDF configuration
Layer properties

The Options settings can help control the overall plotting environment, although many individual print settings are configured elsewhere.

5. System Tab

The System section contains settings related to AutoCAD's operating environment and system behavior.

Depending on the version, this area can contain options related to:

Hardware acceleration
Current pointing device
Graphics performance
System configuration
Checking for updates
Display-related behavior

Practical Example: Graphics Performance

If AutoCAD feels slow when working with large drawings, graphics-related settings may be worth reviewing.

However, don't change advanced graphics settings randomly.

First identify the problem and check the recommendations for your AutoCAD version and computer hardware.

6. User Preferences Tab

The User Preferences section controls various preferences related to how you interact with AutoCAD.

It can include settings for:

Windows standard behavior
Right-click customization
Shortcut menus
Associative dimension behavior
Units
Lineweight settings
Field behavior

Practical Example: Right-Click Behavior

If you frequently use the right mouse button during drafting, you can configure its behavior according to your preferred workflow.

This can help reduce unnecessary mouse movements and make common operations faster.

7. Drafting Tab

The Drafting section contains settings that affect precision drafting and cursor behavior.

Depending on your AutoCAD version, settings can relate to:

Object Snap
AutoSnap
Marker and magnet behavior
Aperture
AutoTrack
Alignment point acquisition

Practical Example: Object Snap

Suppose you have a wall that is exactly 4,000 mm long and want to start another line precisely from its endpoint.

With Endpoint Object Snap enabled, AutoCAD can help you select the exact endpoint rather than estimating its position with the mouse.

This is extremely important for accurate drafting.

8. 3D Modeling Tab

For users working with 3D objects, the 3D Modeling section provides settings related to 3D interaction and display behavior.

These settings may relate to:

3D crosshair behavior
3D navigation
Display of 3D objects
Selection behavior
Modeling-related features

Practical Example

If you are learning 3D modeling, you may need to adjust your navigation or visual settings as you become familiar with different 3D workflows.

Beginners working primarily in 2D may not need to change these settings.

9. Selection Tab

Selection settings control how AutoCAD behaves when you select objects.

Depending on the version, settings can include:

Selection preview
Grips
Selection modes
Noun/verb selection
Object selection effects
Pickbox size

Practical Example: Selection Preview

When selection preview is enabled, AutoCAD can visually indicate objects as you move the cursor over them.

This can make it easier to identify the object you are about to select.

Another Example: Pickbox Size

If the pickbox is difficult to see or use comfortably, its size can be adjusted through the relevant selection settings.

10. Profiles

AutoCAD profiles allow users to save and switch between certain configuration settings.

This can be useful when different users or projects require different AutoCAD environments.

Practical Example

Imagine a drafting office where:

One profile is configured for architectural work.
Another profile is configured for civil drafting.
A third profile is configured for a particular company workflow.

Profiles can make it easier to switch between these environments without manually changing every preference.

Important Options Settings for Beginners

You don't need to change every setting inside Options.

For a beginner, concentrate on the areas that directly improve everyday drafting.

A useful starting checklist is:

Setting Area	Why It Matters
Display	Controls visual working environment
Open and Save	Helps manage drawing files
Drafting	Improves precision and cursor behavior
Selection	Makes object selection easier
User Preferences	Customizes interaction
Plot and Publish	Helps manage output
Files	Controls resource locations

Practical Example: Setting Up AutoCAD for a New Project

Suppose you are starting a new residential floor-plan project.

Before drawing, you can review your AutoCAD environment using this workflow.

Step 1 — Open Options

Type:

OPTIONS

and press Enter.

Step 2 — Review Display

Check that the drawing area and interface are comfortable to work with.

Step 3 — Review Drafting

Make sure the object-snap and tracking behavior suits your drafting workflow.

Step 4 — Review Selection

Configure selection behavior so that selecting walls, dimensions, and other objects is convenient.

Step 5 — Review Open and Save

Make sure automatic save and file-saving preferences are appropriate.

Step 6 — Review Files

If your project uses custom templates or CAD resources, check that AutoCAD can access the required locations.

Step 7 — Close Options

Click Apply or OK, depending on the available controls, to save the changes.

You can then continue with the drawing setup.

Options vs Drafting Settings

Beginners sometimes confuse the Options dialog box with Drafting Settings.

They are related but serve different purposes.

Options

Options provides broader application and user-environment settings.

Drafting Settings

Drafting Settings is more focused on drafting aids such as:

Object Snap
Polar Tracking
Grid and Snap
Object Snap Tracking
Dynamic Input

Example

If you want to change general application behavior, Options may be the appropriate place.

If you want to configure how AutoCAD helps you select precise points while drawing, Drafting Settings may be more relevant.

Common Mistakes When Changing Options

1. Changing settings without knowing their purpose

Don't change advanced settings simply because they look unfamiliar.

First understand what a setting controls.

2. Changing many settings at once

If you change ten settings simultaneously and something starts behaving differently, it becomes difficult to identify the cause.

Change important settings one at a time.

3. Ignoring drawing standards

Professional drawings often follow company or project standards.

Don't change settings in a way that conflicts with those standards.

4. Forgetting to check your AutoCAD version

Different versions can contain different settings or interface arrangements.

Always consider the AutoCAD version when following a tutorial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What command opens Options in AutoCAD?

Type OPTIONS in the command line and press Enter.

Can I customize AutoCAD using Options?

Yes. The Options dialog box provides many settings for customizing the AutoCAD working environment.

Does Options change the actual drawing?

Most Options settings control the application environment and user preferences rather than changing the geometry of an existing drawing.

However, some settings can affect how objects are displayed, selected, saved, or handled.

Should beginners change AutoCAD Options?

Beginners should change only settings they understand and actually need.

The default configuration is often sufficient for learning basic commands.

Can I restore my AutoCAD settings?

Some settings can be restored or changed through the Options dialog box, profiles, or other AutoCAD configuration tools. The exact procedure depends on the AutoCAD version and the setting involved.

Why should I use Object Snap?

Object Snap helps you select precise geometric points such as endpoints, centers, intersections, and midpoints.

It is one of the most useful features for accurate CAD drafting.

Useful AutoCAD Commands Related to This Guide

Command/Shortcut	Purpose
`OPTIONS`	Opens the Options dialog box
`OSNAP`	Accesses Object Snap settings
`DSETTINGS`	Opens Drafting Settings
`L`	LINE
`O`	OFFSET
`TR`	TRIM
`EX`	EXTEND
`H`	HATCH
`DIM`	Creates dimensions

Tips for a Better AutoCAD Workflow

A well-configured environment can make drafting more comfortable, but good drafting practices are equally important.

Try to:

Use meaningful layer names.
Enter accurate dimensions.
Use Object Snap instead of estimating points.
Save your work regularly.
Keep project files organized.
Use appropriate drawing units.
Follow project or company drafting standards.
Check your drawing before plotting.
Keep backup copies of important files.

Conclusion

The Options tool is an important part of AutoCAD because it provides access to many settings that control the application's working environment.

You don't need to change every option to become a good AutoCAD user. Start with the settings that directly affect your daily drafting work, such as display, selection, drafting behavior, file management, and user preferences.

As you gain experience, you can gradually explore additional settings and customize AutoCAD according to your workflow.

The best approach is to understand a setting before changing it and to keep your configuration consistent with the requirements of your projects.

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