2.2 Object selection and manipulation

Object selection and manipulation are crucial skills in CAD. You'll learn various methods to pick objects, from single clicks to window selections. These techniques help you work efficiently, especially when dealing with complex drawings.

Once selected, you can move, rotate, and scale objects precisely. You'll use commands like MOVE, ROTATE, and SCALE, along with tools like object snaps for accuracy. These skills are essential for creating and modifying your designs effectively.

Object Selection Methods

Selection Techniques

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• AutoCAD provides several methods for selecting objects, including single object selection, window selection, crossing selection, and filter selection
• Single object selection involves clicking on an individual object to select it (useful for selecting a specific object or a small number of objects)
• Window selection involves clicking and dragging a rectangle around the objects to be selected (only objects that are completely enclosed within the rectangle will be selected)
• Crossing selection involves clicking and dragging a rectangle across the objects to be selected (any object that is touched by or enclosed within the rectangle will be selected)
• Filter selection allows users to select objects based on specific properties, such as layer, color, linetype, or object type (useful for selecting a subset of objects that share common attributes)

Grouping Objects

• Object grouping allows users to select and manipulate multiple objects as a single entity
  • Objects can be grouped using the

    GROUP

    command or by creating a block
  • Grouped objects maintain their individual properties but can be moved, rotated, scaled, or deleted as a single unit
  • Grouping objects simplifies the selection and manipulation process when working with complex or repetitive geometry
  • Groups can be ungrouped using the

    UNGROUP

    command, allowing individual objects to be edited separately

Precise Object Manipulation

Moving, Rotating, and Scaling

• The

  MOVE

  command allows users to relocate objects by specifying a base point and a displacement vector
  • Objects can be moved by typing in precise distances or by using object snaps to specify the displacement
  • The displacement vector can be defined using absolute coordinates, relative coordinates, or polar coordinates
• The

  ROTATE

  command allows users to rotate objects around a specified base point
  • The rotation angle can be specified by typing in a precise value or by using the reference angle method
  • The reference angle method involves specifying two points to define the starting and ending angles of the rotation
• The

  SCALE

  command allows users to resize objects proportionally by specifying a base point and a scale factor
  • The scale factor can be entered as a precise value or by referencing existing geometry
  • A scale factor greater than 1 will enlarge the object, while a scale factor between 0 and 1 will reduce the object's size

Precision Tools

• Object snaps, such as endpoint, midpoint, center, and intersection, allow users to precisely locate and manipulate objects based on key geometric points
  • Object snaps can be used in conjunction with various commands, such as

    MOVE

    ,

    ROTATE

    ,

    SCALE

    , and

    COPY

  • Object snaps ensure accurate placement and alignment of objects relative to existing geometry
• Polar tracking and object snap tracking can be used in conjunction with object snaps to locate points based on specific angles or alignments relative to existing geometry
  • Polar tracking allows users to specify points at precise angles relative to the previous point or a selected reference angle
  • Object snap tracking allows users to locate points based on the alignment of object snap points on existing geometry

Efficient Object Copying and Replication

Copying and Mirroring

• The

  COPY

  command allows users to create duplicate instances of selected objects
  • Copies can be created by specifying a base point and one or more displacement vectors
  • Multiple copies can be created in a single operation by specifying additional displacement vectors
• The

  MIRROR

  command allows users to create mirrored instances of selected objects across a specified mirror line
  • The mirror line can be defined by two points or by referencing existing geometry
  • Mirrored objects maintain their original properties, such as layer and linetype, but have a reversed orientation

Array Creation

• The

  ARRAY

  command allows users to create multiple copies of selected objects in a rectangular, polar, or path pattern
  • Rectangular arrays create copies in a grid pattern defined by the number of rows, columns, and the spacing between them
  • Polar arrays create copies in a circular pattern defined by the number of items, the angle between them, and the center point of the array
  • Path arrays create copies along a specified path, such as a line, polyline, arc, or spline (the number of items and the spacing between them can be controlled)
• The

  OFFSET

  command allows users to create parallel copies of lines, polylines, arcs, and circles at a specified distance from the original object
  • The offset distance can be entered as a precise value or by specifying two points to define the distance
  • Offset objects maintain the properties of the original object, such as layer and linetype

Object Alignment and Distribution

Aligning Objects

• The

  ALIGN

  command allows users to align selected objects with a specified reference object
  • Objects can be aligned by their endpoints, midpoints, or other key geometric points
  • The alignment process involves selecting the objects to be aligned, specifying the reference object, and then selecting the corresponding alignment points on the objects and the reference object
• Object snaps and object snap tracking can be used to precisely align objects based on key geometric points and alignments
  • For example, the endpoint object snap can be used to align the endpoints of lines or polylines
  • Object snap tracking can be used to align objects based on the alignment of object snap points on existing geometry

Distributing Objects

• The

  DISTRIBUTE

  command allows users to evenly space selected objects between two specified points or by a specified distance
  • Objects can be distributed horizontally, vertically, or along a specified path
  • The spacing between objects can be controlled by specifying a precise distance or by evenly dividing the available space between the start and end points
• The

  MEASURE

  command can be used to divide a selected object into a specified number of equal segments, which can then be used as reference points for aligning or distributing other objects
  • For example, a line can be divided into a specified number of equal segments using the

    MEASURE

    command
  • The resulting division points can be used as reference points for aligning or distributing other objects along the line