Searching for objects in AutoCAD can be a time-saving feature that allows you to locate specific elements within your drawing quickly. Whether you’re looking for a specific line, text, or block, AutoCAD provides several methods to help you find what you need. In this tutorial, we will explore different techniques for searching objects in AutoCAD.
Using the Find Command
If you know the name or part of the name of the object you are searching for, the Find command is a powerful tool at your disposal. To access it, simply type “FIND” in the command line and press Enter. A dialog box will appear with various options to refine your search.
To narrow down your search, you can specify criteria such as object type, layer, color, linetype, and more. Once you have defined your search parameters, click on the Find All button to initiate the search. The results will be displayed in a list format.
To navigate through the search results, use the scroll bar on the right side of the dialog box or use the arrow keys on your keyboard. To zoom to an object in your drawing from the list, simply double-click on it.
Using Quick Select
Quick Select is another efficient way to search for objects in AutoCAD. This command allows you to create complex selection filters based on various properties and conditions.
To access Quick Select, type “QSELECT” in the command line and press Enter. The Quick Select dialog box will appear with a wide range of options to customize your selection criteria.
Select Object Type:
- You can choose from commonly used object types such as lines, circles, arcs, text, and blocks.
- Alternatively, you can select “All” to search for all object types in your drawing.
Filter:
- You can specify additional filters based on properties like color, layer, linetype, and more.
- Select the desired property from the drop-down menu and define the condition or value.
Match Properties:
- This option allows you to select objects that match the properties of a specified object in your drawing.
- Click on the “Select Object” button and choose an existing object. The selected object’s properties will be used as a template for filtering.
After customizing your selection criteria, click on the OK button to apply the filter. The objects that meet your criteria will be selected in the drawing area. You can then perform any desired operation on these objects.
Using Selection Filters
In addition to Quick Select, AutoCAD provides another powerful tool called Selection Filters. Unlike Quick Select, which is a temporary filter that applies only once, Selection Filters allow you to create and save filters for future use.
To create a selection filter, type “FILTERS” in the command line and press Enter. The FILTERS dialog box will appear with options to create new filters or modify existing ones.
To create a new filter:
- Click on the “New Filter..” button. A New Filter dialog box will appear.
- Give your filter a name and specify the desired properties and conditions for your filter.
- Click on the “Add” button to add the filter to your list of available filters.
- Click OK to close the dialog box and save your filter.
To apply a selection filter:
- Type “FILTERS” in the command line and press Enter.
- Select the desired filter from the list.
- Click on the “Select Filter” button to apply the filter.
The objects that meet your filter criteria will be selected in the drawing area. You can now perform any necessary actions on these objects, such as modifying their properties or deleting them altogether.
Conclusion
In AutoCAD, searching for objects doesn’t have to be a tedious task. By utilizing commands like Find, Quick Select, and Selection Filters, you can efficiently locate specific elements within your drawings.
These tools provide flexibility and customization options to tailor your search criteria precisely. Incorporate these techniques into your workflow to save time and improve productivity in AutoCAD.