AutoCAD is a powerful software used for creating precise 2D and 3D drawings. One of the fundamental skills you need to master in AutoCAD is the ability to drag and select objects.
This allows you to easily manipulate and modify elements in your drawings. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods of dragging and selecting in AutoCAD, along with some useful tips and tricks.
Using the Mouse
Drawing objects in AutoCAD is primarily done using the mouse. To drag an object, simply click and hold the left mouse button on the desired object or multiple objects.
While holding down the mouse button, you can move your cursor to reposition the selected objects. This method is particularly useful when you want to move or copy objects within your drawing.
Selecting Objects
To select objects, you have several options at your disposal:
- Click: You can select individual objects by clicking on them with the left mouse button.
- Window Selection: This method allows you to select multiple objects within a specified rectangular area. To do this, click and hold down the left mouse button, then drag your cursor to create a selection window that encompasses the desired objects.
- Crossing Selection: Similar to window selection, crossing selection also allows you to select multiple objects.
The difference lies in how you create the selection area. Instead of enclosing objects within a rectangle, crossing selection selects all objects that are touched by or cross through the selection area.
Tips for Efficient Selection
To make your selection process faster and more efficient, consider these handy tips:
- All: Typing “ALL” into the command line will select all visible objects in your drawing. This can save you time when you need to manipulate or modify everything in your drawing.
- Invert: The “INVERT” command selects all objects that are not currently selected.
This can be useful when you want to quickly select the inverse of your current selection set.
- Layer Filters: Utilizing layer filters allows you to selectively choose which objects to include in your selection set based on their layers. This is particularly helpful when working with complex drawings that contain numerous layers and objects.
Keyboard Shortcuts
In addition to using the mouse, AutoCAD provides a variety of keyboard shortcuts for dragging and selecting objects. These shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow and improve productivity. Here are a few commonly used keyboard shortcuts:
- M: Pressing the “M” key activates the Move command, allowing you to move selected objects to a new location.
- C: Pressing the “C” key activates the Copy command, enabling you to create duplicate copies of selected objects.
- E: Pressing the “E” key activates the Erase command, allowing you to delete selected objects from your drawing.
Select Similar
The “SELECTSIMILAR” command is a powerful tool for selecting multiple objects with similar properties. For example, if you have a group of lines with the same color or linetype, this command enables you to select them all at once without having to manually click on each one.
To use SELECTSIMILAR, simply select an object with desired properties and then type “SELECTSIMILAR” into the command line. AutoCAD will automatically select all other objects in your drawing that share those same properties.
By mastering the art of dragging and selecting in AutoCAD, you can navigate through your drawings with ease and precision. Whether you prefer using the mouse or keyboard shortcuts, practice these techniques to improve your efficiency and productivity in AutoCAD.