You can efficiently remove proxy objects in AutoCAD using the Quick Select tool, as described in the following steps.
Understanding Proxy Objects
Proxy objects appear in AutoCAD drawings when the drawing contains custom objects created by an application (like AutoCAD Architecture, Mechanical, or third-party software) that is not currently running or installed on your system. They act as placeholders for the original objects. While they might display basic geometry, they lack the full functionality and data of the original objects, and sometimes you may wish to remove them, for example, to simplify a drawing or resolve display issues.
How to Remove Proxy Objects Using Quick Select
Removing proxy objects is a straightforward process using AutoCAD's powerful selection tools. Follow these steps:
- Access the Quick Select dialog box.
- You can typically access this by right-clicking in the drawing area when no command is active and selecting Quick Select..., or by typing
QSELECTin the command line and pressing Enter.
- You can typically access this by right-clicking in the drawing area when no command is active and selecting Quick Select..., or by typing
- Specify the Object Type.
- In the Quick Select dialog box, select the Proxy Object option from the Object Type menu.
- Ensure "Apply to" is set to "Entire drawing" (or your desired selection set if you pre-selected objects).
- Leave "Properties," "Operator," and "Value" at their default or suitable options if you only want a specific type of proxy, though selecting just "Proxy Object" usually finds all of them.
- Confirm Your Selection Criteria.
- Click OK.
- AutoCAD Selects Proxy Objects.
- All Proxy Objects in your drawing will be selected. You will see grips appear on them, and the command line might indicate the number of objects found.
- Erase the Selected Objects.
- Type E (for Erase) in the Command line, and press Enter.
- The selected proxy objects will be removed from your drawing.
This process effectively cleans your drawing of these non-native object representations.
Summary Table:
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Quick Select | Right-click > Quick Select or QSELECT |
| 2 | Select Object Type | Set Object Type to Proxy Object |
| 3 | Apply Selection Criteria | Click OK |
| 4 | Objects Are Selected | Proxy objects are automatically highlighted |
| 5 | Erase Selected Objects | Type E + Enter in Command line |
By following these steps, you can quickly identify and remove all proxy objects within your AutoCAD drawing.
