How to Copy and Paste a Group in AutoCAD

To copy and paste a group of objects in AutoCAD, you typically select the objects you want to copy and then use a copy command, often COPYBASE when pasting into another drawing.

Using COPYBASE (Recommended for Copying Between Drawings)

Based on the context of copying items like lights and electrical lines to potentially another drawing, the COPYBASE command is a powerful method. This command allows you to specify a precise base point for the copy operation, making it easier to position the pasted objects accurately.

As demonstrated, you can simply select some objects that form the group you wish to copy and then use copy base.

Steps to Copy a Group Using COPYBASE

1. Select Your Objects: In your source drawing, select all the objects that make up the "group" you want to copy. You can do this by clicking on individual objects or using selection windows (crossing or window selection). If the objects are already a formal AutoCAD Group object, you can simply click on the group.
2. Start the COPYBASE Command: Type COPYBASE in the command line and press Enter, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C.
3. Pick a Base Point: The command line will prompt you to "Specify base point:". Click on a point in your drawing. This point will serve as the reference point when you paste the objects later. Choose a point that makes sense for aligning the objects in their new location (e.g., a corner, center, or insertion point).
4. Switch Drawings (If Necessary): If you are pasting into a different drawing, open or switch to that drawing now.
5. Use the PASTECLIP Command: Type PASTECLIP in the command line and press Enter, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V.
6. Specify the Insertion Point: The command line will prompt you to "Specify insertion point:". Click where you want the base point of your copied objects to be placed in the current drawing.

Your selected group of objects will now appear at the specified insertion point.

Why Use COPYBASE?

Using COPYBASE is particularly useful when copying between drawings because it ensures the objects are pasted relative to the base point you chose, maintaining their relative position and making alignment easier.

Using Standard Copy and Paste

For simpler copy-paste operations, especially within the same drawing, you can use the standard Windows copy and paste commands:

1. Select Your Objects: Select the objects you want to copy.
2. Copy: Type COPYCLIP or COPY in the command line and press Enter, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C. The objects are copied to the clipboard.
3. Paste: Switch to the desired location or drawing. Type PASTECLIP in the command line and press Enter, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V.
4. Specify Insertion Point: Click to place the objects. Note that with standard paste (Ctrl+V), the insertion point is typically the lower-left corner of the objects' bounding box, not a specific base point you selected.

Both methods allow you to copy a collection of objects, effectively copying what you consider a "group" of elements in your drawing.