Tips for the simplest Editing command — MOVE command

The MOVE command is the simplest Editing command for CAD. Although its functionality remains unchanged for years, there are some tips for this command to improve our working efficiency. Let me explain in detail.

1. Commonly-used method: To move objects with two points—the Base point and Second point

If there is a reference object for the move, we’ll need to specify the first point as base point and then specify the second point, as shown in the following picture.

After executing the Move command, the prompt asks us to specify a base point and this has become a commonly-used method when we are to move objects some distance: specify a base point and enter relative coordinates such as @100, 0 or just enter distance value after dragging the cursor and indicating the direction.

2. To move objects using Displacement

Pay attention to the prompt, you’ll find the Displacement out there displaying the following:

Specify base point or [Displacement(D)] <Displacement>:

There are two “Displacement” in the prompt, the [Displacement] is a general option, D is the keyword while <Displacement> is a default option, you can press Enter to execute the command and you’ll get the same result if you press Enter after entering D. The [Displacement(D)] may be reserved for other purposes.

It’s more convenient to use the Displacement method when moving objects a specified distance.

After executing the Move command, press Enter to use the Displacement method is to set the first point as base point. We only need the coordinates of the destination point (the second point)and these coordinates are actually absolute for they’re relative to the original point, so no need to enter @ in the command line.

No need to specify the base point is one advantage of Displacement method, another advantage is that in actual drawing, the coordinates for Displacement will be recorded as the default values when you need to use them the next time. Just press Enter to use the already stored coordinates.

3. Move in-situ

Many people would question this method: It doesn’t change the numbers of the objects or their location and the objects seem unchanged, so what’s the point of using it?

Well, this method may be unhelpful most of the time, but it can be used in some special circumstances.

The other day, someone had sent me a drawing containing blocks with different attributes. The text was aligned in the middle but many of the attributes have changed after opening the drawing. Things become normal when inserting new blocks with attributes or copying the blocks with attributes to a new drawing. Maybe you are having these questions on your mind: Why not just copy the paper space and viewport to a new drawing? The original drawing was drawn in the layout and the blocks with attributes were inserted in paper space, so it would be really troublesome to do that.

I tried many times using different methods and when I press CTRL and A in the layout, problem solved.

Step-by-step for the Move in-situ method

Enter M and press Enter, press Enter(using the Displacement method), if the default coordinates for the move is 0,0,0 just press Enter, if not, enter @ and press Enter.

Why the Move in-situ method works?

Although I haven’t figured out what caused the problem mentioned above, I guess it might be something wrong with the graphic data that can’t be detected by the CAD software and therefore unable to fix. When we copy the graphics to a new drawing, the graphic data are generated according to the correct data. Using the MOVE command would get the same result but the Move in-situ won’t change the contents of the drawing. I have met similar problems and I used this method to solve the problem.

I guess lower version of CAD software and the drawing itself have something to do with this problem. You can try this method when your drawing can’t display properly but return to normal after Copy & Paste.

You could try using this method and it might come in handy someday and will definitely save your time and trouble.