Grips - Automatic Editing1 Sacramento City College Engineering Design Technology

Grips - Automatic Editing 1

Grips - Automatic EditingGrips - Automatic Editing

Sacramento City CollegeEngineering Design Technology


ObjectivesObjectives Use grips to do automatic editing with

the STRETCH, COPY, MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE and MIRROR commands.

Identify the system variables for automatic editing.

Perform automatic editing with the Properties window.

Use the property painter to match object properties.


ObjectivesObjectives Chapter 11 discussed various editing

commands. Move, copy, break, rotate, trim, extend,

etc.

This chapter takes editing a further step by using Grips.


GripsGrips In AutoCAD, grips are features on an

object that are highlighted with a small box. The grips on a line are the endpoint and

the midpoint.

When you select an object, the grips are automatically activated.


GripsGrips When grips are activated and

no command is active, a pick box is located at the intersection of the screen crosshairs.

Picking an object activates the grips.

The grip box for text is located at the insertion point.


GripsGrips Grip settings are accessed by

the “Selection” tab of the “Tools” “Options” dialog box.

Or typing GR or DDGRIPS at the Command:

prompt.




GripsGrips To turn grips ON or OFF:

Pick “Enable grips” to turn grips on and off under “Tools” “Options”

or Set the “GRIPS” system variable at the

Command: prompt.


GripsGrips Pick “Enable grips within blocks” to

have grips displayed on every sub-object of a block. When this check box is off, the grip

location for a block is the insertion point of the block.

Grips in blocks can also be controlled with the GRIPBLOCK system variable.


GripsGrips The color of grips can be changed using

the drop down box.

Unselected grips are grips that are displayed when you first select an object. A square with a color outline. Sometimes called “warm” grips. Are blue by default.



GripsGrips Selected grips are grips that you have

picked. Are a “filled in” square. Are sometimes called “hot” grips. Are red by default.



GripsGrips If more than one object is selected,

and Those objects have warm grips,

then They are all affected by what you do

with the hot grips.


GripsGrips Remove highlighted objects from the

selection set by holding down the [Shift] key and picking the object to be removed.

The highlighting goes away, but the grips remain.

These are called “cold grips”.


GripsGrips Objects with “cold grips” are not

affected by what you do to objects with “warm grips”.

The object can be added to the selection set again by picking it again.


GripsGrips GRIPCOLOR system variable controls

the color of “warm grip”

GRIPHOT system variable controls the color of “hot grips”.



GripsGrips Grip Size Grip Size scroll bar in the Selection tab of

the Options dialog box lets you change the size of the grip box. Change the grip size to whatever works

best for your drawing.

Very small grip boxes may be difficult to pick.

However, the grips may overlap if they are too large.

GripsGrips





GripsGrips The GRIPSIZE system variable sets the

size of the grip. The default is 3. Enter GRIPSIZE at the Command:

prompt and then type a desired size in pixels.


GripsGrips The Pickbox Size scroll bar lets you

adjust the size of the pick box.

The PICKBOX system variable controls the size of the pickbox. The desired size is set in pixels.




Using GripsUsing Grips To activate grips,

Move the pick box to the desired object and pick.

The object is highlighted and The unselected (warm) grips are

displayed.


Using GripsUsing Grips To select a grip

Move the pick box to the desired grip and Pick it. The crosshairs snap to a grip.

When you pick a grip the command line shows the following prompt: ** STRETCH ** Specify stretch point or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/eXit]:


Using GripsUsing Grips The STRETCH command is activated.

Move the cursor to make the selected object stretch.


Using GripsUsing Grips The STRETCH command is activated.

Move the cursor to make the selected object stretch.

Pick the middle grip of a line or arc, or the center grip of a circle, to move the object.


Using GripsUsing Grips Other Options

Base point. Type B and press [Enter] to select a new base

point. Copy.

Type C and press [Enter] if you want to make one or more copies of the selected object.

Undo. Type U and press [Enter] to undo the previous

operation. eXit.

Type X and press [Enter] to exit the command.


Using GripsUsing Grips When you eXit the menu

The selected (hot) grip is gone, but The unselected (warm) grips remain. You can also use the [Esc] key to cancel

the command.

Canceling twice [Esc] [Esc] removes the selected and the unselected grips and returns the Command: prompt.


Using GripsUsing Grips You can

Pick objects individually, or Use a window or crossing box.

You can make more than one grip hot at the same time by holding down the [Shift] key as you pick the grips.


Using GripsUsing Grips General Rules and Guidelines for grips:

Be sure the GRIPS system variable is on. Pick an object or group of objects to

activate grips. Objects in the selection set are

highlighted.


Using GripsUsing Grips General Rules and Guidelines for grips:

Pick a warm grip to make it hot. Make multiple grips hot by holding the

[Shift] key while picking warm grips.


Using GripsUsing Grips If more than one object has hot grips,

they are all affected by the editing commands.


Using GripsUsing Grips Remove objects from the selection set

Hold down the [Shift] key Pick the objects Makes the grips cold.

Return objects to the selection set Pick them again.

Remove hot grips from the selection set Press the [Esc] key to cancel.


Using GripsUsing Grips To remove all grips from selection set

Press [Esc] [Esc] key or Right-click and Select Deselect All from the shortcut

menu to remove all grips.



Using GripsUsing Grips When editing with grips, you can enter

coordinates to help improve your accuracy.

Any of the coordinate entry methods will work when using grips. Absolute Cartesian. Relative Cartesian. Polar Coordinates.


Using GripsUsing Grips You can also use the MOVE, ROTATE,

SCALE, and MIRROR commands to automatically edit objects. Pick the object. Select one of the grips. The Command prompt change to

** STRETCH ** .


Using GripsUsing Grips When you see the ** STRETCH **

command, Press [Enter] to cycle through the

command options: ** STRETCH ** Specify stretch point or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/eXit]: ** MOVE ** Specify move point or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/eXit]: ** ROTATE **


Using GripsUsing Grips Specify rotation angle or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/Reference/eXit]: ** SCALE **

Specify scale factor or [Base point/Copy/Undo/Reference/eXit]: ** MIRROR **


Using GripsUsing Grips You can also enter the first two

characters of the desired command from the keyboard. MO for MOVE. Ml for MIRROR. RO for ROTATE. SC for SCALE. ST for STRETCH.


Using GripsUsing Grips AutoCAD also allows you to right-click

and access a grips shortcut menu.

This menu is only available AFTER a grip has been turned into a selected (hot) grip.


Using GripsUsing Grips The shortcut menu allows you to access

the five grip editing options without using the keyboard.

Pick from the shortcut menu either Move Mirror Rotate Scale Stretch


Using GripsUsing Grips Base Point option in the shortcut menu.

Allows you to select another base point other than the selected (hot) grip.


Using GripsUsing Grips The shortcut menu also provides direct

access to the Copy option.

The Undo option closes the shortcut menu and returns to the current grip activity.


Using GripsUsing Grips The Properties... option.

Selecting this opens the Properties window.

You can change properties of the objects being edited.

Selecting the Exit option closes the grips shortcut menu and removes the hot grip.


Moving Objects with GripsMoving Objects with Grips The MOVE Option The MOVE Option


Moving Objects AutomaticallyMoving Objects Automatically To move an object with grips

Select the object Pick a grip to use as the base point Press [Enter] to cycle through the

commands until you get to this prompt: ** MOVE ** Specify move point or [Base



Moving Objects AutomaticallyMoving Objects Automatically The selected grip becomes the base

point. Move the object to a new point by

picking the new location.


Moving Objects AutomaticallyMoving Objects Automatically If you

accidentally pick the wrong grip or

want to have a base point other than the selected grip,

Type B press [Enter] for the Base point option

and pick a new base point.


Copying Objects With Grips Copying Objects With Grips The COPY Option The COPY Option


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option The Copy option is found in each of the

editing commands. Stretch Move Rotate Scale Mirror


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option Under STRETCH, the Copy option allows

you to make multiple copies of the object you are stretching.

Hold down the [Shift] key while performing the first STRETCH operation to access the Multiple mode.


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option The prompt looks like this:

** STRETCH (multiple) ** Specify stretch point or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/eXit]:.


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option The Copy option in the MOVE command

is the true form of the COPY command.

Activate the Copy option by typing C: ** MOVE **


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option Specify move point or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/eXit]: C ** MOVE (multiple) ** Specify move point or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/eXit]: (make as many copies as desired)

(enter X, press [Esc], or select Exit-from the grips shortcut menu to exit)


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option Holding down the [Shift] key while

performing the first MOVE operation also puts you in the Copy mode.

The Copy option works similarly in each of the editing commands. (!) Try it with each to see what happens.


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option When in the STRETCH or MOVE

commands, you can also access the Copy option directly by picking the right mouse button to open the grips shortcut menu.


The COPY OptionThe COPY Option When in the Copy option of the MOVE

command, if you make the first copy followed by holding the [Shift] key, the distance of the first copy automatically becomes the snap spacing for additional copies.


Rotating Objects With Grips Rotating Objects With Grips The ROTATE OptionThe ROTATE Option


Rotating an Object AutomaticallyRotating an Object Automatically To automatically rotate an object:

Select the object Pick a grip to use as the base point Press [Enter] until you see this prompt: ** ROTATE ** Specify rotation angle or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/Reference/eXit]:


Rotating an Object AutomaticallyRotating an Object Automatically Move the pointing device to rotate the

object. Pick the desired rotation point,

OR Enter a rotation angle at the Command:

prompt.


Rotating an Object AutomaticallyRotating an Object Automatically Type R and press [Enter] if you want to

use the Reference option. The Reference option may be used

when the object is already rotated at a known angle and you want to rotate it to a new angle. The reference angle is the current angle The new angle is the desired angle.


Scaling Objects With Grips Scaling Objects With Grips The SCALE OptionThe SCALE Option


Scaling an Object AutomaticallyScaling an Object Automatically If you want to scale an object with

grips, cycle through the editing options until you get this prompt: ** SCALE ** Specify scale factor or [Base

point/Copy/Undo/Reference/eXit]: Move the screen cursor and pick when

the object is dragged to the desired size.


Scaling an Object AutomaticallyScaling an Object Automatically You can also enter a scale factor to

automatically increase or decrease the scale of the original object.

You can use the Reference option if you know a current length and a desired length.

The selected base point remains in the same place when the object is scaled.


Mirroring Objects With Grips Mirroring Objects With Grips The MIRROR OptionThe MIRROR Option


Mirroring an Object AutomaticallyMirroring an Object Automatically To mirror an object using grips,

the selected grip becomes the first point of the mirror line.

Press [Enter] to cycle through the editing commands until you get this prompt:

** MIRROR ** Specify second point or [Base



Mirroring an Object AutomaticallyMirroring an Object Automatically Use the Base point option to reselect the

first point of the mirror line. Pick another grip or any point on the

screen as the second point of the mirror line.


Mirroring an Object AutomaticallyMirroring an Object Automatically Unlike the standard MIRROR command,

the automatic MIRROR command does not give you the option to delete the old objects.

The old objects are deleted automatically.

If you want to keep the original object while mirroring, use the Copy option in the MIRROR command.


Basic Editing vs. Automatic EditingBasic Editing vs. Automatic Editing


Basic EditingBasic Editing Basic editing allows you to first enter a

command and then select the desired object to be edited.


Basic EditingBasic Editing The Selection modes are of the

Selection tab in the Options dialog box allow you to control the way that you use editing commands.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Noun/verb selection

Normally, you type the edit command, and then select the object.

When noun/verb selection check box is activated, you pick the object first and then enter a command.

The pickbox is displayed at the screen cross hairs.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Noun/verb selection

The PICKFIRST system variable can also be used to set the noun/verb selection.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Use Shift to add to selection.

This box changes the way AutoCAD selects objects.

When this check box is off, every object or group of objects you select is highlighted and added to the selection set.

When this check box is on, to add additional items to the selection, hold down the [Shift] key.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Use Shift to add to selection.

Turning on the PICKADD system variable does the same thing as turning on this feature.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Press and Drag

Same functionality as turning on the PICKDRAG system variable.

With Press and Drag on, you create a selection window by picking the first corner, then moving the cursor while holding down the pick button.

Release the pick button when you have the desired selection window.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Press and Drag

By default, this option is off. You must pick both the first and second

corner of the desired selection window.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Implied windowing

By default, this option is on. You can automatically create a window

by picking the first point and moving the cursor to the right to pick the second point.

A crossing box can also be made by picking the first point and moving the cursor to the left to pick the second point.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Implied windowing

The PICKAUTO system variable provides the same functionality.

The windowing will not work if PICKDRAG is on.


Basic EditingBasic Editing Object Grouping

Option controls whether or not AutoCAD recognizes grouped objects as singular objects.

When off, the individual elements of a group can be selected for separate editing without having to first explode the group. (!)


Basic EditingBasic Editing Associative Hatch

The default is off When off, if an associative hatch is

moved, the hatch boundary does not move with it.

To move the boundary with the hatch, turn the associative hatch on.


Basic EditingBasic Editing The Properties Window

An object or several objects can be edited automatically using the Properties window.



Pick the Properties button form the Standard toolbar

OR Pick Properties from the Modify pull-

down menu OR

Type MO, CH, PROPS, or PROPERTIES at the Command: prompt.



You can also toggle the Properties window on and off using the [Ctrl] + [1] key combination.

After selecting the objects, you can also access the Properties window by right-clicking and selecting Properties from the shortcut menu.



To close the Properties window, click on the small “x”.


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings AutoCAD 2000 allows you to edit more

than one drawing at a time. You can copy objects from one drawing

into another drawing.


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings The Windows functions copy and paste

can be used to copy objects from one drawing to another.

To use this feature, the object that you intend to copy must be selected with grips.

Once selected, right-click to access the shortcut menu.


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings The short cut menu has two options:

Copy Copy with Base Point


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings Copy

Takes selected objects from AutoCAD and places them on the Windows Clipboard to be sued in another application or another AutoCAD drawing.

Copy with Base Point Also copies objects to the Clipboard, but

allows you to specify a base point to position the copied object when it is pasted.

Select a logical base point (corner or center).


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings Once you have copied the object, make

the second drawing active by clicking on it.

Right-click to display the shortcut menu.

Three paste options exist: Paste Paste as block Paste to Original Coordinates


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings Paste

Pastes any Clipboard information into the current drawing.

If the Copy with Base Point option was used to place objects in the Clipboard, then the objects being pasted are attached to the cross hairs at the specified basepoint.


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings Paste as block

This option “joins” all objects in the Clipboard when they are pasted into the drawing.

The pasted objects act like a block in that they are single objects joined together to form one object.

EXPLODE to break apart.


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings Paste to Original Coordinates

This option pastes the objects from the Clipboard to the same coordinates at which they were located in the original drawing.


Editing Between Multiple DrawingsEditing Between Multiple Drawings You can also drag and drop objects

between drawings. Make both drawings visible on the

screen. Select the object and press and hold the

pick button Move the cursor into the other drawing

and release the pick button. The object is automatically copied into

the second drawing.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties The MATCHPROP command

allows you to copy properties from one object to one or more objects.

It can be done in the same drawing or between drawings.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties To access the MATCHPROP command

Select the Match Properties button in the Standard toolbar

OR Select Match Properties from the Modify

pull-down OR

Type MA, MATCHPROP or PAINTER at the Command: prompt.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties AutoCAD prompts you for the source

object. The source object is the one that has all

the properties you would like to copy to another object.

Once selected, AutoCAD displays the properties it will paint to the destination object.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties The prompt reads:

Current active settings: Color Layer Ltype Ltscale Lineweight Thickness PlotStyle Text Dim Hatch.

Select destination object(s) or [Settings]:

This allows you to pick the object you want to receive the properties of the source object.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties The prompt reads:

Current active settings: Color Layer Ltype Ltscale Lineweight Thickness PlotStyle Text Dim Hatch.

Select destination object(s) or [Settings]:

This allows you to pick the object you want to receive the properties of the source object.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties If you want the properties painted to all

objects Type ALL at this prompt.

To change the properties to be painted, access the Settings option by typing “S”.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties The Property Settings dialog box now

appears, showing the types of properties that can be painted.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties Basic Properties

Lists the general properties of the selected object.

Deselect a property for it NOT to be copied.

All active properties are transferred.


Matching PropertiesMatching Properties Special Properties

You can paint over dimension styles, text styles, and hatch patterns.

These properties are replaced in the destination object if the check boxes are active.

Documents

Grips - Automatic Editing1 Sacramento City College Engineering Design Technology