9.

Short notes about modify tools and their functions

Introduction
While working with AutoCAD, you'll quickly run into situations that require you to use modify tools. As
the name suggests, modify tools are used to modify existing lines and objects.

AutoCAD has a whole range of modify tools; this chapter will explain the most commonly used.

 OFFSET
Create a duplicate object parallel with the original object. If this object is a Polyline or a Circle, the
duplicate shape will be transformed inwards or outwards. This on can be useful to make closed steel
profiles.
To offset: First select the offset distance; [enter]; select the original object; specify on which side you
want to offset.

 TRIM
With the trim option objects can be shortened or lengthened with the edges of other objects. Objects can
exactly be fitted between these objects.
To trim an object: Type trim in the command line; optionally select the line(s) you want to trim
(otherwise all objects are used, which is fine in most cases); [enter]; select the objects to trim.
To trim multiple objects at once you can drag a selection window.
You might want to take a look at the fence (Fe) selection option. This allows you to quickly select the
lines you want to trim, by drawing a line across them. Every line that is crossed by the line you draw, will
be selected and trimmed.
  EXTEND
With the extend option you can shorten or lengthen objects to meet the edges of other objects. For
example, a line can be exactly fitted between objects. Extending a object works in the same way as
trimming.
To extend: Click the Extend command; optionally select the object you want to extend to; select the
line(s) you want to extend.

 MOVE
Moves one or more objects:
Select the objects and specify the base point.
The base point is essentially the point where you 'grab' the objects. So if you input coordinates, the base
point is the point where the coordinates relate to.
Moving an object can either be done with the aid of object snap, or by using relative coordinates.

 ROTATE
You can rotate objects with an absolute or relative angle. When using an absolute angle: Specify the
base point and then specify the rotation angle.

 COPY
Copy's one or more objects.
Method:
Select objects, press copy and specify a base point (in a similar position as with the move tool)
Now you can position the object in the same way as you would with a starting point of a line,

 ARRAY
Create copies of objects in a rectangular or polar pattern. This is especially useful when you need to
duplicate several objects at the same distance from each other.
After clicking on the array button the following screen will appear:
In this screen we need to input the number of Rows (horizontal direction) and Columns (vertical
direction) and their respective offset.
For example:
We're going to create a grid of I-beams, lets first input the number of rows and columns (in this case 3
and 4). Now input the row and column offset: 30 units to the right and 20 units upward.
AutoCAD automatically shows a preview of the array operation in the white square, try experimenting
with different values (for instance a negative value instead of a positive one) to see what happens.
When you're satisfied with the settings, select the object to use in the row operation, by first clicking on
the 'Select Objects' button and then on the objects themselves.
Finish the selection by pressing [space] or [enter]
When the array window reappears, select either Preview or OK to execute the array command.
In the same manner it's possible to create a polar array:
The polar array rotates around the center point which you can select by clicking on the center point button
in the array window

 MIRROR
Create a mirror image of an object. It is useful for creating symmetrical objects because you can quickly
draw half the object and then mirror it instead of drawing the entire object.
You flip the object about an axis called a mirror line to create a mirror image. First select the object. To
specify the temporary mirror line, you enter two points. You can choose whether to delete [y] or retain the
original [n] object

 SCALE
To scale an object, you can specify a base point and a length, which will give a scale factor. A scale factor
greater than 1 enlarges the object. It is also possible to scale an object using a reference object. This
method scales the object equally in all directions.
Scaling using a scale factor: Select the object; type in the command line; scale factor; [enter]
Scaling using a reference: Select the object; type in the command line; specify base point; choose r to use
reference; specify the reference length of the original object; specify the new length of the original object.
 FILLET
You can use the fillet tool to connect two objects with an arc with a specified radius. The inside corner is
called a fillet and an outside corner is called a round.
To fillet: type f in the command line; type R for the radius (optional); specify the radius; [enter]; select the
first line; select the second line.
Chamfer is almost identical, but it will make a straight line instead of an arc.
  JION
You can use the join option to combine similar objects into one single object. It is also possible to create
complete circles from arcs.
The object you want to join is called the source object. And the objects you want to join have to be
located in the same plane.
To join: Type j in the command line; select the source object; select the lines to join to the source object.
If you use AutoCAD 2009 or older, you can only join lines when the endpoints of the lines are on one
point.
 EXPLODE
Polylines, hatches or blocks can be converted into individual elements with the explode option.
If you explode a polyline every segment will become a separate line.
To explode a block: First select the block; type ex; [enter]
10. The status bar commands and their functions.

STATUS BAR COMMANDS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS.

ORTHOMODE
 Direct cursor movement to horizontal or vertical
directions.

POLAR TRACKING
 Tracks the cursor along specified polar angles.

ISOMETRIC DRAFTING
 Simulates isometric drawing environment by
aligning objects along isometric axes

OBJECT SNAP TRACKING

2D OBJECT SNAP
 Snaps the cursor to the nearest 2D reference as
you move the cursor.

LINE WEIGHT
 Displays line weight in drawing

TRANSPARENCY
 Turns on transparency for all objects that have
the transparency property set to a non-zero
value.

SELECTING CYCLING
 Turns on selection cycling a feature that assist
you select an object when objects overlap one
another.
3D OBJECT SNAP
 Snap the cursor to the nearest 3D reference
point, as you move the cursor.

MAXIMIZE VIEW PORT

MINIMIZE VIEW PORT

ANNOTATION VISIBILITY
 Displays the annotative objects using the
annotation scale.

AUTO SCALE
 Automatically adds annotation scales to all
annotative objects when the annotation scale
changes

ANNOTATION SCALE
 Sets the current annotation scale of annotative
objects in a model space..
VIEWPORT LOCK
 Lock the displays of layout viewports

VIEWPORT SCALE
 Displays the scale of selected viewport.

VIEWPORT SCALE SYNIC

WORKSPACE SWITCHING

 Changes the current workspace to the one you

ANNOTATION MONITOR
 Turn on annotation monitor.

UNITS
 Sets the drawing units for the current drawings.
QUICK PROPERTIES
 Displays the quick properties window when
objects are selected.

LOCK UI
 Locks the position and size of toolbars and dock
able windows such as design center and the
properties window

CLEAN SCREEN
 Maximizes the drawing area by clearing it of the
ribbon, toolbars, dock able windows except the
command window

ISOLATE OBJECTS
 Hide selected objects in drawing area or display
objects that were hidden previously

CUSTOMIZATION
 Specifies what command buttons to displays on
the status bar.