CADL COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING AutoCAD

Chapter Three (Continued)

The Modify Commands
* C. Shrock, (2014). AutoCAD Pocket Reference 6th Edition, Industrial Press Inc., South Norwalk.

ARRAY

A Line can be one segment or a series of connected segments. But each segment is an individual object. The
ARRAY command allows you to make multiple copies in a RECTANGULAR or Circular (POLAR) pattern and even
on a PATH. The maximum limit of copies per array is 100,000. This limit can be changed but should
accommodate most users.

RECTANGULAR ARRAY

This method allows you to make multiple copies of object(s) in a rectangular pattern. You specify the number
of rows (horizontal), columns (vertical) and the spacing between the rows and columns. The spacing will be
equally spaced between copies.

Spacing is sometimes tricky to understand. Read this carefully. The spacing is the distance from a specific
location on the original to that same location on the future copy. It is not just the space in between the two.

To use the rectangular array command you will select the object(s), specify how many rows and columns
desired and the spacing for the rows and the columns.

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CHAMFER
The CHAMFER command allows you to create a chamfered corner on two lines. There are two methods:
Distance and Angle.

DISTANCE METHOD

Distance Method requires input of a distance for each side of the corner.

1. Select the CHAMFER command using one of the following:

2. Now chamfer the object.

Select first line or [Undo/Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/method/Multiple]: select the (First side) to be

chamfered (distance 1).

Select second line or shift-select to apply corner or [Distance/Angle/Method]: select the (Second side)
to be chamfered (distance 2).

Note: When you place the cursor on the second side, AutoCAD displays the Chamfer and allows you to
change the Distances before it is actually drawn. If you choose to change the Distance, select the
Distance option, enter new distance values then select the 2nd side.

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ANGLE METHOD

Angle method requires input for the length of the line and an angle.

1. Select the CHAMFER command

Command: _chamfer (TRIM mode) Current chamfer Dist1 = 1.000, Dist2 = 1.000 Select first line or
[Undo/Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/method/Multiple]: type A <enter> Specify chamfer length on the first line
<0.000>: type the chamfer length <enter> Specify chamfer angle from the first line <0>: type the angle <enter>

2. Now Chamfer the object. Select first line or [Undo/Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/mEthod/Multiple]: select

the (First Line) to be chamfered. (the length side) Select second line or shift-select to apply corner: select the
(second line) to be chamfered. (the Angle side).

OPTIONS:

Polyline: This option allows you to Chamfer all intersections of a Polyline in one operation. Such as all 4 corners
of a rectangle.

Trim: This option controls whether the original lines are trimmed or remain after the corners are chamfered. (Set
to Trim or No trim.)

mEthod: Allows you to switch between Distance and Angle method. The distance or angle must have been
set previously.

Multiple: Repeats the Chamfer command until you press <enter> or Esc key.

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COPY
The COPY command creates a duplicate set of the objects selected. The COPY command is similar to the
MOVE command.
The steps required are:

1. Select the objects to be copied.

2. Select a base point.
3. Select a New location for the New copy.

The difference between Copy and Move commands:

The Move command merely moves the objects to a new location. The Copy command makes a copy and
you select the location for the new copy.

1. Select the Copy command using one of the following commands:

2. The following will appear on the command line: Command: _copy Select objects: select the objects
you want to copy Select objects: stop selecting objects by selecting <enter> Current settings: Copy
mode = Multiple Specify base point or [Displacement/mOde] <Displacement>: select a base point (P1)
Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>: select the new location (P2)
for the first copy Specify second point or [Exit / Undo] <Exit>: select the new location (P2) for the next
copy or press <enter> to exit.

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Note:
If you select the option mOde, you may select Single or Multiple copy mode. The default setting is
Multiple. It is practical to leave the mode setting at Multiple. If you choose to make only one copy just
press <enter> to exit the Copy command.

The copy command continues to make copies until you press <enter> to exit.

COPY “Array” option

The Copy command allows you to make an Array of copies.

After you have selected the Base point the following prompt appears:

Specify second point or [Array] <use first point as displacement>:

If you select the option Array,

1. Enter the number of items to Array: type in 4 <enter>

2. Place 2nd Point or [Fit]: Place 2nd point or select F <enter>

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Note: The Array option within the Copy command is a quick method to create multiple copies. For more
accurate array options use the Array command.

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DIVIDE
The DIVIDE command divides an object mathematically by the NUMBER of segments you specify. A POINT
(object) is placed at each interval on the object.

Note: the object selected is NOT broken into segments. The POINTS are simply drawn ON the object.

1. First open the Point Style box and select the POINT STYLE to be placed on the object.

2. Next select the DIVIDE command using one of the following:

3. Select Object to divide: select the object to divide

4. Enter the number of segments or [Block]: type the number of segments <enter>

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ERASE
There are 3 methods to erase (delete) objects from the drawing. They all work equally well. You decide which
one you prefer to use.

Method 1

Select the Erase command first and then select the objects.

Example:

1. Start the Erase command using one of the following:

2. Select objects: Pick one or more objects Select Objects: Press <enter> and the objects selected will
disappear.

Method 2

Select the Objects first and then the Delete Key.

Example:

1. Select the object to be erased.

2. Press the Delete Key.

Method 3

Select the Objects first and then select the Erase command from the Shortcut Menu.

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EXPLODE
The EXPLODE command changes (explodes) an object into its primitive objects. For example: A rectangle is
originally one object. If you explode it, it changes into 4 lines. Visually you will not be able to see the change
unless you select one of the lines.

1. Select the Explode command by using one of the following:

2. The following will appear on the command line:

Command: _explode
Select objects: select the object(s) you want to explode.
Select objects: select <enter>.

EXTEND
The EXTEND command is used to extend an object to a boundary. The object to be extended must actually or
theoretically intersect the boundary.

1. Select the EXTEND command using one of the following:

2. The following will appear on the command line:

Command: _extend Current settings:
Projection = UCS
Edge = Extend Select boundary edges ...

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Select objects or <select all>: select boundary (P1) by clicking on the object. Select objects: stop
selecting boundaries by selecting <enter>. Select object to extend or shift-select to Trim or
[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/Undo]: select the object that you want to extend (P2 and P3). (Select
the end of the object that you want to extend.) Select object to extend or
[Fence/Crossing/Project/Edge/Undo]: stop selecting objects by pressing <enter>.

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