How Do You Drag and Move in AutoCAD?

Are you new to AutoCAD and wondering how to drag and move objects? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps of dragging and moving objects in AutoCAD.

Drag and Move Objects in AutoCAD

Drag and move is a fundamental operation in AutoCAD that allows you to reposition objects within your drawing. Whether you want to move a simple line or a complex shape, the process remains the same. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Select the Object

The first step is to select the object that you want to drag and move. To do this, click on the object using the selection tool from the toolbar or type “SELECT” in the command line followed by pressing Enter. Once selected, the object will be highlighted.

Step 2: Activate the Move Command

To initiate the move operation, we need to activate the “MOVE” command. There are several ways to do this:

  • Type “MOVE” in the command line and press Enter.
  • Select “Modify” from the menu bar at the top of your screen, then choose “Move“.
  • Use a shortcut by typing “MV” and pressing Enter.

Note that once you activate the move command, your cursor will change into a crosshair symbol.

Step 3: Specify Base Point for Movement

The next step is to specify a base point from where you want to move your object. The base point serves as a reference for positioning your object accurately. You can choose any point on your object as a base point.

To select a base point, simply click on the desired location using your cursor. If you need to be precise, you can enter the coordinates of the base point in the command line.

Step 4: Specify Second Point for Movement

After selecting the base point, you need to specify the second point to define the direction and distance of movement. You can either click on a new location or enter specific coordinates in the command line.

AutoCAD will display a preview of the object at its new position as you move your cursor. This allows you to visualize and adjust the placement before finalizing.

Step 5: Confirm Movement

Once you are satisfied with the new position of your object, click again to confirm. The object will now be moved to its new location.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few additional tips to enhance your dragging and moving experience in AutoCAD:

  • If you want to move multiple objects simultaneously, simply select them before activating the move command.
  • To constrain movement along a specific axis (horizontal or vertical), press “X” or “Y” after selecting the base point.
  • If you need to create a copy of an object while moving it, use “COPYBASE” instead of “MOVE“. This way, you’ll have both the original and duplicated objects in your drawing.
  • If you want to move an object precisely by entering specific distances, type “DIST” after selecting the base point.
  • To undo any mistakes during dragging and moving, simply press “Ctrl + Z” or type “UNDO” in the command line.

And there you have it! You now know how to drag and move objects in AutoCAD.

This skill is essential for creating accurate and precise drawings. So go ahead, practice, and start mastering the art of dragging and moving in AutoCAD!