Modify Tools
Fifteen modify tools with their CAD commands: move, copy, rotate, scale, mirror, offset, trim, extend, fillet, chamfer, rectangular and polar arrays, explode, erase and match properties. They work on walls, doors and windows as on lines.
Every property, and what it does
Each tool, its command and what it asks for.
Move and copy
In CAD tools, Modify. Select first, or pick the tool and then select.
| Field | What it does | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Move | Moves the selection from a base point to a second point (MOVE, M). | Base point, second point |
| Copy | Copies the selection, as many times as you click (COPY, CO). | Base point, then each copy |
| Rotate | Turns the selection about a point (ROTATE, RO). | Base point, angle |
| Scale | Scales the selection about a point (SCALE, SC). | Base point, factor |
| Mirror | Mirrors the selection across a line (MIRROR, MI). | Two points of the mirror line |
Offset, trim and corners
Editing the lines themselves.
| Field | What it does | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Offset | A parallel copy at a distance (OFFSET, O). | Distance, then the side |
| Trim | Cuts a line back to the lines it crosses (TRIM, TR). | Click the part to remove |
| Extend | Runs a line on to the next line it meets (EXTEND, EX). | Click the end to extend |
| Fillet | Rounds the corner between two lines (FILLET, F). | R sets the radius, P does every corner of a polyline |
| Chamfer | Cuts the corner between two lines (CHAMFER, CHA). | D sets the two distances |
Arrays
Many copies at once.
| Field | What it does | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular array | Copies in rows and columns (ARRAYRECT, AR). | Columns, rows, spacing across and up |
| Polar array | Copies round a centre (ARRAYPOLAR, ARP). | Count and the angle it sweeps |
Explode, erase and match
The rest of the Modify group.
| Field | What it does | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Explode | Breaks a block or a polyline into its parts (EXPLODE, X). | The selection |
| Erase | Deletes the selection (ERASE, E). | The selection |
| Match properties | Gives the selection the layer, colour and pen of another (MATCHPROP, MA). | The source, then the targets |
On the building
The same tools work on what the building is made of.
| Field | What it does | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Walls | A moved or copied wall carries its doors and windows, and its rooms follow. | Every modify tool |
| Doors and windows | A copied window finds a wall where it lands. | Move, copy, mirror |
How the Modify tools work
Select
Click what you want to change, or drag a box round it.
Pick a tool
Open CAD tools, then Modify, or type its command: M, CO, RO, SC, MI, O, TR, EX, F, AR.
Follow the command line
It asks for each point, distance or count in turn. Typed numbers are exact.
Undo if you need to
Every edit is one step back with Undo (U).
Modify tool questions, answered.
Do the AutoCAD command aliases work?
Most do: L for line, M for move, CO for copy, TR for trim, O for offset, DLI for a linear dimension. Type a few letters and the command line suggests the rest.
Can I move a wall with its windows?
Yes. A moved wall carries its openings, and the rooms round it follow.
Can I array columns or chairs?
Yes. Rectangular and polar arrays copy anything in the selection, at the spacing or angle you type.
Read on
- Draw Tools: Lines, arcs, circles and hatches.
- Blocks: Make, insert and reuse blocks.
- Drafting tools docs: Every drafting command and its alias.