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How to Move a Group of Lines in AutoCAD

Published in AutoCAD Object Manipulation 5 mins read

To move a group of lines (or any objects) in AutoCAD, you typically select the objects first and then use either the MOVE command or object grips.

Moving objects in AutoCAD is a fundamental operation. Whether you have one line or a complex group, the process involves selecting what you want to move and then specifying where it should go.

Here are the primary methods for moving a group of lines:

Method 1: Using the MOVE Command (Recommended for Groups)

This is the most common and flexible method for moving multiple objects.

  1. Select the Objects: Click on each line you want to include in the group. You can also use a window or crossing selection box to select multiple lines at once. Selected lines will typically appear highlighted (e.g., dashed or a different color).
  2. Start the MOVE Command:
    • Type MOVE in the command line and press Enter or Spacebar.
    • Alternatively, click the "Move" icon on the ribbon (usually in the Modify panel).
  3. Specify Base Point: AutoCAD will prompt you to "Specify base point or [Displacement]". Click on a point in your drawing that you want to use as a reference for the move. This point doesn't have to be on the selected lines; it could be a corner of a related shape, an endpoint of one of the lines, or just a convenient location.
  4. Specify Second Point (Displacement): AutoCAD will prompt you to "Specify second point or [Displacement]". Click where you want the chosen base point (and thus the entire selected group) to move to.
    • You can snap to existing objects.
    • You can type coordinates.
    • You can type a distance and direction using polar tracking or object snap tracking.
  5. Complete the Move: Once you specify the second point, the selected group of lines will be moved to the new location.

Example:

Imagine you have a rectangle made of four lines and you want to move it 10 units to the right.

  1. Select all four lines of the rectangle.
  2. Start the MOVE command.
  3. Click the bottom-left corner of the rectangle as your base point.
  4. Move your cursor horizontally to the right, ensuring Polar Tracking is on (F10) or Ortho Mode (F8) is on.
  5. Type 10 and press Enter. The rectangle will move exactly 10 units to the right from its original position.

Method 2: Using Object Grips

While often used for modifying single objects, grips can also be used to move a selection set. The reference provided describes moving a single line using grips, and the principle extends to groups:

  • Select the line. (Or select the group of lines).
  • Click the Location grip. (When you select objects, grips appear. For lines, these are typically at endpoints and midpoints. Clicking any grip on any object in the selected group acts similarly to specifying a base point).
  • Move the line: (Drag the selected group).
    • If you want to... use the grip point as the base point for the move then... drag the line (or group) to a new location, and click.
    • If you want to... specify a base point, and then specify a second point then... click the grip, then type B for Base point, press Enter, click your desired base point (which doesn't have to be the grip), then specify the second point.

How this applies to a group:

  1. Select the Group: Click on all the lines you want to move. Grips will appear on the selected objects.
  2. Activate a Grip: Click on one of the grips (e.g., an endpoint grip on one of the lines). The grip will turn red or hot, and the object(s) will be ready to move. This activated grip acts as the initial base point.
  3. Perform the Move:
    • Drag: Simply drag the selection set to the desired new location and click to place it.
    • Specify Second Point Relative to Grip: With the grip active, you can type a distance and direction (e.g., @10,0 to move 10 units right) and press Enter. The objects move relative to the activated grip.
    • Specify Base/Second Points (like MOVE command): With the grip active, press B and Enter to specify a different base point, then specify the second point as you would with the MOVE command.

Using the MOVE command is generally more precise and straightforward for moving entire groups, as it explicitly prompts for base and second points, making the workflow clear. However, the grip editing method offers a quick way to drag objects or set a move distance after selection.

Remember to use Object Snaps (OSNAP, F3) and Object Snap Tracking (OTRACK, F11) to help you precisely select points and align your move with existing geometry.

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