Chapter 8

The
Basic
Modifying
Tools
In
AutoCAD
Unit 1
Basic Modifying Commands _____________
Introduction
AutoCAD drawings are rarely completed simply by
drawing lines, circles etc. Most likely you will need
to Modify these basic drawing objects in some way
in order to create the image you need. AutoCAD
provides a whole range of modify tools such as
Move, Copy, Rotate and Mirror but we will only
tackle the most frequently used basic modifying
commands used in AutoCAD. As you can see the
name of the commands are easily understandable. However, the way these commands work is not
always obvious. All of these modifying tools are available from the Modify Panel.

Specific Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
- Explain the basic modifying commands used in AutoCAD.
- Understand and learn how modifying commands assist in the creation of objects in
AutoCAD.

Duration: 4 hours

Lesson Proper

1. Erase
• Removes objects from a drawing.
• The Erase command is one of the simplest
AutoCAD commands and is one of the most
used. The command erases (deletes) any
selected object(s) from the drawing. Remember
you can always get deleted objects back by
typing U to undo or click the undo button from
the Standard toolbar or by using the OOPS
command.
• The shortcut key for Erase command is E.

Take Note: Instead of selecting objects to erase, you can also enter an option, such as L
to erase the last object drawn, p to erase the previous selection set, or ALL to erase all
objects. You can also enter ? to get a list of all options.

A. Methods to Activate Erase Command:

• Click the Erase icon from the modify panel.
• Type E or ERASE on the command line then
press Enter.
B. Erase: Command Sequence
• Type a command:
E or ERASE [Enter↲]
• Erase Select objects:
(Pick an object(s) to erase)
• Erase Select objects:
(Press [Enter↲] to end the selection and the object will be erased)

Take Note:
• If you’re not sure that you want to delete an object(s). Press the ESC key on the
keyboard to get out of the erase command and the object will not be erased.
• Use a selection method to select the multiple objects that you want to erase.
• You can use the delete key from the keyboard alternatively to erase objects.

C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:
Example 1:
Let’s understand with an example. Consider the figure in this example:

Here, we will erase the lines marked in this figure.

The steps are listed below:

1. Select the Erase icon from the ribbon panel, or Type E or Erase on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the two lines marked in the above image. Press Enter.
Then the two selected lines will be removed. The process is shown in the below image:

Example 2:
Let’s understand with another example. Consider the figure in this
example:

Here we will erase the inner circle.

The steps are listed below:

1. Select the Erase icon from the ribbon panel, or Type E or
Erase on the command line or command prompt and press
Enter.
 2. Select the inner circle with a small square cursor, then press Enter.
Then the figure will now look like the right image below.

2. Move
• Moves objects a specified distance in a specified
direction.
• The Move command works in a similar way to
the Copy command except that no copy is made,
the selected object(s) is simply moved from one
location to another.
• The shortcut key for Move Command is M.

Take Note: Use coordinates, grid snaps, object snaps, and other tools to move objects
with precision.

A. Methods to Activate Move Command:

• Click the Move icon from the modify
panel.
• Type M or MOVE on the command line
then press Enter.

B. Move: Command Sequence

• Type a command: M or MOVE [Enter↲]
• MOVE Select objects:
(Pick an object(s) to move then press [Enter↲])
Or
(Use an object selection method if you are going to Move multiple objects then
press [Enter↲])

• MOVE Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>:

(Specify a point of the object from where you want to pick your object)

• MOVE Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>:

(Specify the second point using absolute cartesian coordinate, relative
cartesian coordinate, or relative polar coordinates.)
Or
(Use the displacement feature)
Or
(Click anywhere on the workspace where you want to move your object.)
 Take Note: The following prompts are displayed.
• Select objects - It specifies which objects to move.
• Base point - It specifies the start point for the move.
• Second point - In combination with the first point, it specifies a vector that indicates
how far, and in what direction, the selected objects are moved. In short, it is the point
where we want to move that object.

Using a Specific Coordinate

- If dynamic input is on: Type the pound sign ( #) followed by the X-value, a
comma, then the Y-value, for example #4.0,6.75
- If dynamic input is off: Type the X value, a comma, then the Y value, for
example 4.0,6.75

Take Note: When dynamic input is on, relative coordinates are the default. When dynamic
input is off, absolute coordinates are the default. Press F12 to turn dynamic input on or
off.

Using a Relative Coordinate – It specifies the distance and direction from the
previous coordinate.
- If dynamic input is on: Type the X-value, a comma, then the Y-value, for
example 4.0,6.75
- If dynamic input is off: Type the at sign (@) followed by the X-value, a comma,
then the Y-value, for example @4.0,6.75

Displacement – It specifies a relative distance and direction. The two points you
specify define a vector that indicates how far from the original the copied objects are to
be placed and in what direction.

C. Example/s
Example 1:
In this example, we will move a circle from a
rectangle and will place it inside a triangle.

The steps for such an example are listed below:

1. Select the move icon from the Ribbon panel, or Type M or Move on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the object to move, through a small square cursor. Here, we will select the circle.
Then press Enter.
3. Specify the base point or displacement.

Using the Base Point option:

4. Select the Base Point option to

specify the base point of an object.
5. Specify the second base point. It is the
point where we want to move that
object.
6. The process is shown at the right:

Using the Displacement Option:

7. Type D on the command line.

8. Specify the displacement value in the form of (X, Y, Z). For example, 2, 3. In this, the
object will move 2 units in the X-axis and 3 units in the Y-axis from the original or
current position.
Example 2:
In this example, we will move multiple objects. We
will move the dark blue colored objects, which
are marked with numbers 1, 2, and 3.

The steps for such an example are listed below:

1. Select the move icon from the Ribbon panel, or

Type M or Move on the command line or
command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the object to move, through a small
square cursor. Here, we will select the objects marked with numbers 1, 2, and 3. Then
press Enter.
3. Specify the base point or displacement.

Using the Base Point option:

4. Select the Base Point option.

5. Then specify the base point of an object. Here, we need to specify the base point of
any one object. All the selected objects will be moved. The position of the objects with
respect to each other will remain the same.
6. Specify the second base point. It is the point where we want to move that object.
The process is shown in the below image:

Using the Displacement Option:

7. Type D on the command line.

8. Specify the displacement value in the form of (X, Y, Z). For example, 4, 5. In this, the
object will be moved 4 units in the X-axis and 5 units in the Y-axis from the original or
current position.
3. Copy
• Copies objects a specified distance in a specified
direction.
• The Copy command can be used to create one or
more duplicates of any drawing object or objects
which you have previously created. Copy is a very
useful and time-saving command because you can
create very complex drawing elements and then
simply copy them as many times as you like.
• The shortcut key for Copy Command is CO.

A. Methods to Activate Copy Command:

• Click the Copy icon from the modify panel.
• Type CO or COPY on the command line then
press Enter.

B. Copy: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
CO or COPY [Enter↲]
Current settings: Copy mode – Single

• Copy Select objects:

(Pick an object to copy then press [Enter↲])
Or
(Use an object selection method if you are going to copy multiple objects then
press [Enter↲])

• Copy Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>:

(Specify a base point of the object from where you want to pick your object or
enter an option)
Or
(Use the displacement feature)
Or
(Click anywhere on the workspace.)

• Copy Specify second point or [Array] <use first point as displacement>:

(Specify the second point using absolute cartesian coordinate, relative
cartesian coordinate, or relative polar coordinates.)
Or
(Use the displacement feature)
Or
(Click anywhere on the workspace where you want to move your object.)

Take Note: The following prompts are displayed.

• Select objects - It specifies which objects to move.
• Base point - It specifies the start point for the move.
• Second point - In combination with the first point, it specifies a vector that
indicates how far, and in what direction, the selected objects are moved. In short,
it is the point where we want to copy that object.
 • Displacement – Specifies a relative distance and direction using coordinates.
• Mode – Controls whether the command repeats automatically. We have two
options:
• Single - Creates a single copy of selected objects and ends the command.
• Multiple - Overrides the Single mode setting. The COPY command is set to repeat
automatically for the duration of the command.
• Array - Arranges a specified number of copies in a linear array.
• Press ESC key on the keyboard if the copy command is still active especially when
you are using the multiple option.

C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:
Example 1:
In this example, we will move a circle from a rectangle and will place it inside a triangle
1. Select the copy icon from the ribbon panel, or Type CO or copy in the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the objects. To select it, click on the boundary of objects through a small square
cursor. After the selection is completed, press Enter.
3. Specify the displacement or base point.

Using Base Point Option:

4. Select the Base Point option.

5. Specify the base point of the
objects.
6. Specify the second base point. It
is the point where we want to
move that object.
The process is shown on the
right:
7. To continue copying objects,
repeat steps 5 and 6.
8. To Exit, press the Esc button.
Or
9. Specify the base point of the objects.
10. Type the displacement value, such as, 5. The distance 5 will be measured from the
original object. Then press Enter.
11. To continue copying objects, repeat steps 6 and 7.

Using the Displacement Option:

12. Type D on the command line.

13. Specify the value of displacement in the form of (X, Y, Z), for example, 2, 3. In this,
the object will be moved 2 units in the X-axis and 3 units in the Y-axis from the original
or current position. Then press Enter.
Example 2:
Single/Multiple modes to copy objects
The single-mode allows copying the objects once. The command exits automatically after
it. While the multiple mode allows copying the objects number of times. We need to press
Esc to exit.

Using single-mode:
The steps to implement the single-mode are listed below:
1. Select the copy icon from the ribbon panel, or type CO or Copy in the command line or
command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the objects. To select, click on the boundary of objects through a small square
cursor. After the selection is completed, press Enter.
3. Type MO or Mode in the
command line and press Enter.
4. Type S or Single in the
command line and press Enter.
5. Specify the displacement or
base point.
6. Click on the second point (point
to place the copied object). The
process is shown on the right:

Using multiple mode:

The steps to implement the multiple mode are listed below:
1. Select the copy icon from the ribbon panel, or type CO or Copy in the command line or
command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the objects. To select, click on the boundary of objects through a small square
cursor. After the selection is completed, press Enter.
3. Type MO or Mode in the
command line and press Enter.
4. Type M or Multiple in the
command line and press Enter.
5. Specify the displacement or
base point.
6. Click on the second point (point
to place the copied object).
7. Continue clicking on the points
to place the copied objects.
8. Press Esc to exit. The process is
shown on the right:
4. Rotate
• Rotates objects around a base point.
• The Rotate command allows an object or objects to
be rotated about a point selected by the user.
AutoCAD prompts for a second rotation point or an
angle which can be typed at the keyboard.
• The specified base point serves as the point of rotation.
• The shortcut key for Rotate Command is RO.

Take Note: You can rotate selected objects around a base point to an absolute angle.

A. Methods to Activate Rotate Command:

• Click the Rotate icon from the modify
panel.
• Type RO or ROTATE on the command line
then press Enter.

B. Rotate: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
RO or ROTATE [Enter↲]
Current positive angle in UCS: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0

• Rotate Select objects:

(Pick an object to copy then press [Enter↲])
Or
(Use an object selection method then press [Enter↲])

• Rotate Specify base point:

(Specify a base point of the object for the point of rotation.)

• Rotate Specify rotation angle or [Copy Reference] <0>:

(Specify a rotation angle then press [Enter↲])
Or
(You can specify how much you want to rotate the object then press
[Enter↲])
Or
(Click anywhere on the workspace for your preferred rotation.)

Take Note: The following prompts are displayed.

• Select objects - It specifies which objects to move.
• Base point - It specifies a base point that serves as the point of rotation.
• Specify rotation angle – you can enter an angle, specify a point, enter c, or enter r.
- Rotation Angle – It determines how far an object rotates around the base
point. The axis of rotation passes through the specified base point and is
parallel to the Z axis of the current UCS.
- Copy - It creates a copy of the selected objects for rotation.
- Reference – It rotates objects from a specified angle to a new, absolute angle.
When you rotate a viewport object, the borders of the viewport remain parallel
to the edges of the drawing area.
C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Let's understand with an example. We will rotate the object by dragging
the cursor. The object is shown at the right:

The steps for such an example are given below:

1. Select the rotate icon from the ribbon panel, or type RO or Rotate
in the command line or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the object. Then press Enter.
3. Specify the base point of the figure. Here, the specified base point
is shown in the image on the right:

Take Note: We can specify any base point on the figure.

4. Drag the cursor clockwise or counter-clockwise to rotate the object, as shown in

the below image:

Take Note: We can drag the cursor at the point according to the requirements.

Example 2:
Let's understand with an example. We will rotate the object from the reference point and
we will be using the same figure from example 1.

The steps for such an example are listed below:

1. Select the rotate icon from the ribbon panel, or type RO or Rotate in the command
line or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the object. Then press Enter.
3. Specify the base point of the figure. Here, the specified base point
is shown in the image on the right:

Take Note: We can specify any base point on the figure.

4. Type R or Reference on the command line and press Enter.

5. Specify the reference angle. Here, we have specified the angle, 30. Then press Enter.
Now the figure will now look like image on the right:

Take Note:
• The reference angle is shown in the image on the right. It
signifies that the reference angle is set by rotating the figure
in the clockwise direction.
• We can specify the reference angle according to the
requirements.
6. Now, specify the angle of rotation or points (first and second point). We can specify
the two points for rotation instead of the angle.
Specify the angle of rotation instead. Here, we have specified the angle of 50
degrees. The figure is shown in the below image:

Take Note:
• The angle of rotation will be measured 50 degrees from the reference point in
the counter-clockwise direction.
• The figure is now rotated from the reference point.

Example 3:
Let's understand with an example. We will rotate the object by
specifying the angle. The object is shown at the right:

The steps for such an example are listed below:

1. Select the rotate icon from the ribbon panel, or type RO or Rotate in the command
line or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the object. Then press Enter.
3. Specify the base point of the figure. Here, the specified base point
is shown in the image on the right:

Take Note: We can specify any base point on the figure.

4. Type the angle of rotation. Then press Enter.

The figure will be rotated according to the specified angle. The image rotated at different
angles is shown below: From left to right: 90O, 180O, 0O, and 270O.
5. Mirror
• Create a mirrored copy of selected objects.
• The Mirror command allows you to mirror
selected objects in your drawing by picking them
and then defining the position of an imaginary
mirror line using two points.
• The shortcut key for Mirror Command is MI.

Take Note: You can create objects that represent half of a drawing, select them, and mirror
them across a specified line to create the other half.

A. Methods to Activate Mirror Command:

• Click the Mirror icon from the modify
panel.
• Type MI or MIRROR on the command line
then press Enter.

B. Mirror: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
MI or MIRROR [Enter↲]
• Mirror Select objects:
(Pick an object that you want to create a mirror image then press [Enter↲])
• Mirror Specify first point of mirror line:
(Specify the first point of the mirror line using absolute cartesian coordinate,
relative cartesian coordinate, or relative polar coordinates.)
Or
(Click anywhere on the workspace.)
• Mirror Specify second point of mirror line:
(Specify the first point of the mirror line using absolute cartesian coordinate,
relative cartesian coordinate, or relative polar coordinates.)
Or
(Click anywhere on the workspace.)

• Mirror Erase source objects? [Yes No] <No>:

(Choose Yes, if you want to erase the source object of the mirror image)
Or
(Choose No, if you don’t want to erase the source object of the mirror image)
C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Let's understand with an example.
Consider the below figure:

The dimensions of the above figure are

given. We will create the upper half of
the above figure. After that, we will use
the Mirror command to create the lower
half.

The steps are listed below:

1. First create the upper half of the figure,

as shown in the right.

2. Select the Mirror command from the

ribbon panel or type MI or Mirror on
the command line or command prompt
and press Enter.

3. Select the half part with the help of box

selection, as shown in right, then press
Enter.

4. Specify the first and second point of

the mirror line, as shown in the right.

Take Note:
• After the figure is formed, the
command line will ask you if you
want to erase the source object.
• To erase the source object, select
YES. If not, select NO.

5. The process and the created figure are

shown in the below images:
Example 2:
Let's understand with an example.

The steps are listed below:

1. First create the upper half of the
figure, as shown in the right.

2. Select the Mirror command from

the ribbon panel or type MI or
Mirror on the command line or
command prompt and press
Enter.

3. Select the half figure with the help

of box selection, as shown in the
below image then press Enter.

4. Specify the first and second point

of the mirror line, as shown in the
right.

5. Select No.

6. The created figure is shown in the below image:

6. Trim
• Trims objects to meet the edges of other objects.
• The Trim command can be used to trim a part of an object. In order to trim an object, you
must draw a second object which forms the "cutting edge". Cutting edges can be lines,
xlines, rays, polylines, circles, arcs or ellipses. Also take note that Blocks and text cannot
be trimmed or used as cutting edges.
• The shortcut key for Trim Command is TR.

There are two modes that you can use to trim objects, Quick mode and Standard mode.

- Quick Mode - To trim objects, select

the objects to be trimmed
individually, press and drag to start a
freehand selection path, or pick two
empty locations to specify a crossing
Fence. All objects automatically act as
cutting edges. Selected objects that
can't be trimmed are deleted instead.

- Standard Mode - To trim objects, first

select the boundaries and press Enter.
Then select the objects to be trimmed.
To use all objects as boundaries, press
Enter at the first Select Objects prompt.

A. Methods to Activate Trim Command:

• Click the Trim icon from the modify panel.
• Type TR or TRIM on the command line then
press Enter.

B. Trim: Command Sequence

Quick Mode:
• Type a command:
TR or TRIM [Enter↲]
Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None

• Trim Select object or <select all>:

(Select the objects to be trimmed individually then press [Enter↲])
Or
(Use an object selection method then press [Enter↲])

• Trim Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Fence Crossing Project Edge
eRase]:
(Pick the parts of the objects you want to trim.)

• Trim Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Fence Crossing Project Edge
eRase]:
(Press ESC to exit the trim command.)
 Standard Mode:

• Type a command:
TR or TRIM [Enter↲]
Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None

• Trim Select cutting edges ...

• Trim Select objects:

(Select an object that will serve as the cutting edge of then press [Enter↲])

• Trim Select object to trim or shift-select to extend or [Fence Crossing Project Edge
eRase]:
(Pick the parts of the objects you want to trim then press [Enter↲])

C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Consider the figure on the right:

The steps to trim the portion of the above object are:

1. Select the Trim icon from the ribbon panel, or type TR or Trim on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Press Enter, then select the line or curve to be trimmed.

Take Note: We can choose objects according to our requirements.

3. The selected portion will be removed and the object will now look like the below
image:
7. Extend
• Extends objects to meet the edges of other objects.
• This command extends a line, polyline or arc to meet another drawing object (known as
the boundary edge).
• The shortcut key for Extend Command is EX.

There are two modes that you can use to extend objects, Quick mode and Standard mode.

- Quick Mode - To extend objects, select the

objects to be extended individually, press
and drag to start a freehand selection path,
or pick two empty locations to specify a
crossing Fence. All objects automatically act
as boundary edges.

- Standard Mode - To extend objects, first select

the boundaries and press Enter. Then select the
objects to be extended. To use all objects as
boundaries, press Enter at the first Select Objects
prompt.

A. Methods to Activate Extend Command:

• Click the arrow-down beside the
Trim icon from the modify panel
and select Extend.
• Type EX or EXTEND on the
command line then press Enter.

B. Extend: Command Sequence

Quick Mode:
• Type a command:
EX or EXTEND [Enter↲]
Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None

• Extend Select object or <select all>:

(Select the objects to be extended individually then press [Enter↲])
Or
(Use an object selection method then press [Enter↲])

• Extend Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Fence Crossing Project Edge
eRase]:
(Pick the parts of the objects you want to trim.)

• Extend Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Fence Crossing Project Edge
eRase]:
(Press ESC to exit the trim command.)

Take Note: Selected objects automatically act as boundary edges.

 Standard Mode:
• Type a command:
EX or EXTEND [Enter↲]
Current settings: Projection=UCS Edge=None

• Extend Select boundary edges ...

• Extend Select objects:

(Select an object that will serve as the boundary edge then press [Enter↲])

• Extend Select object to extend or shift-select to trim or [Fence Crossing Project Edge
eRase]:
(Pick the parts of the objects you want to extend then press [Enter↲])

C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Consider the figure on the right:

The steps to extend the boundaries or edges of the selected parts

in the above figure are:

1. Select the Extend icon from the drop-down list of the Trim, or type EX or Extend on
the command line or command prompt and press Enter.

2. Then press Enter, then select parts to extend, as shown below:

8. Join
• Joins the endpoints of linear and curved objects to
create a single object.
• Combines a series of finite linear and open curved
objects at their common endpoints to create a single
2D or 3D object. The type of object that results
depends on the types of objects selected, the type of
object selected first, and whether the objects are
coplanar.
• The shortcut key for Join Command is J.

Take Note: Construction lines, rays, and closed objects cannot be joined.

A. Methods to Activate Join Command:

• Click the arrow-down of the modify panel then

select the Join icon.
• Type J or JOIN on the command line then press
Enter.

B. Join: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
J or JOIN [Enter↲]
• Join Select source objects or multiple objects to join as once:
(Select the objects that you want to join.)
• Join Select objects to join:
(Then press [Enter↲] to join the selected objects.)

C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Consider the figure on the left image. We are
required to join the segments numbered 1, 2, 3,
and 4. These segments are shown right image.

The steps to join the segments marked above are:

1. Type J or Join on the command line or command prompt and press

Enter.
2. Select segments 1 and 2. Then press Enter.
3. Select segments 3 and 4. Then press Enter.

The segments will be joined, as shown in the right.

9. Explode
• Breaks a compound object into its component
objects.
• Explodes a compound object when you want to
modify its components separately. Objects that can
be exploded include blocks, polylines, and regions,
among others.
• The Explode command is used to "explode" single objects back to their constituent parts.
In other words, the command is used to return blocks, polylines etc. (which may be
composed of a number of component objects) back to their individual component parts. The
change has no visible effect.
• The shortcut key for Explode Command is X.

A. Methods to Activate Explode Command:

• Click the arrow-down of the modify panel
then select the Explode icon.
• Type X or EXPLODE on the command line
then press Enter.

B. Explode: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
X or EXPLODE [Enter↲]
• Explode Select objects:
(Select the objects that you want to explode then press [Enter↲])

C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Consider the figure on the right.

The steps to break this figure into separate

lines and arcs are:

1. Select the Explode icon from the ribbon panel or type X or Explode on the command
line or command prompt and press Enter.

2. Now select the object and press Enter.

Take Note: The drawing is now exploded and if you select

it now, all it’s lines and arcs will be selected separately.
You can also use the REGION command to convert it into
a closed object again.
10. Offset
• Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel
curves.
• You can offset an object at a specified distance or
through a point. After you offset objects, you can
trim and extend them as an efficient method to
create drawings containing many parallel lines and
curves.
• Offset is probably one of the most useful commands for constructing drawings. The Offset
command creates a new object parallel to or concentric with a selected object. The new
object is drawn at a user defined distance (the offset) from the original and in a direction
chosen by the user with a pick point. You can offset lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, 2D
polylines, xlines, rays and planar splines.
• The shortcut key for Offset Command is O.

A. Methods to Activate Offset Command:

• Click the Offset icon from the modify panel.
• Type O or OFFSET on the command line
then press Enter.

B. Offset: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
O or OFFSET [Enter↲]

• Offset Specify offset distance or [Through Erase Layer]:

(Set an offset distance value then press [Enter↲])

• Offset Select object to offset or [Exit Undo] <Exit>:

(Select the object that you want to offset then press [Enter↲])

• Offset Specify point on side to offset or [Exit Multiple Undo] <Exit>:

(Pick a direction where you want to offset)
Or
(You can change the offset distance value press [Enter↲])

• Offset Select object to offset or [Exit Undo] <Exit>:

(Press the ESC key to exit the command or click another object to offset)
C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
Offset of a circle.
The steps are listed below:
1. Create a circle with any specified radius. For example, 3.
2. Select the Offset icon on the ribbon panel, or type O or offset on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
3. Specify the value of offset distance. It is the distance value to create a concentric circle
from the original circle. For example, 1 then press Enter.
4. Select the object to offset. We need to select the object with a small square cursor.
5. Move the cursor inside or outside to place the offset object, as shown in the below
image:

6. Press Esc or Enter to exit from the offset command.

Example 2:
Removing the object after offsetting.
The steps are listed below:
1. Create an object using the polyline command, as shown on the
right. We can also create it using line command and can join them using Join
2. Select the Offset icon from the ribbon panel, or type O or offset on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
3. Type E or erase on the command line and press Enter.
4. Type Yes to erase the source object after offsetting, or click on the Yes button on the
command line, as shown in the below image:

5. Specify the value of offset distance to 1 and then press Enter.

6. Select the object to offset with a small square cursor.
7. Move the cursor in the particular direction and click on that point. Then Press Enter.
It is shown in the below image:

8. Press Esc or Enter to exit from the offset command.

Take Note: We can notice that the source object is erased after offsetting.
Below are the figures with their offsets.

Example 3:
Multiple Offset.
The steps are listed below:
1. Select the line command from the ribbon panel and create a line of dimension 4. We
can draw any object according to the requirements.
2. Type O or offset on the command line or command prompt and press Enter.
3. Specify the offset distance to 1.
4. Select the object to offset.
5. Type M or multiple on the command line and press Enter.
6. Continue clicking in the corresponding direction to place the offset objects.

Take Note: With the help of the above steps, we are not required to use the offset
command again and again.
11. Fillet
• Rounds or fillets the edges of two 2D objects or the
adjacent faces of a 3D solid.
• Fillet is an arc that is created tangent between two
2D objects.
• Fillet is a curved transition between two surfaces or
adjacent faces on a 3D solid.
• A Fillet can be created between two objects of the same or different object types: 2D
polylines, arcs, circles, ellipses, elliptical arcs, lines, rays, splines, and xlines.
• The Fillet command is a very useful tool which allows you to draw an arc between two
intersecting lines or adjacent polyline segments. You first need to use the command to set
the required radius and then a second time to select the two lines.
• The shortcut key for Fillet Command is F.

In the above example, an arc is created tangent to the selected lines, which are trimmed to
meet the endpoints of the arc.

A. Methods to Activate Fillet Command:

• Click the Fillet icon from the modify panel.
• Type F or FILLET on the command line then
press Enter.

B. Fillet: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
F or FILLET [Enter↲]
Current settings: Mode – TRIM, Radius – 0.0000

• Fillet Select first object or [Undo Polyline Radius Trim Multiple]:

(Choose Radius from the command line)

• Fillet Specify fillet radius <0.0000>:

(Set the fillet radius value then press [Enter↲])

• Fillet Select first object or [Undo Polyline Radius Trim Multiple]:

(Select the first object that you want to fillet)

• Fillet Select second object or shift-select to apply corner or [Radius]:

(Select the second object that you want to fillet)

Take Note: Before you fillet an object make sure to set the fillet radius value first. For
example, from 0.0000 then change it to the required fillet radius.
C. Example/s
Let's understand by few examples:

Example 1:
The fillet process for the first figure is shown below:
1. Select the Fillet command from the ribbon
panel, or type F or Fillet on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the first object.
3. Type R or Radius. Then press Enter.
4. Specify the radius of the Fillet and press Enter.
Here we specified the radius of the fillet = 2
5. Select the second object.

Example 2:
The fillet process for the second figure is shown below:
1. Select the Fillet command from the ribbon panel,
or type F or Fillet on the command line or command
prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the first object.
3. Type R or Radius. Then press Enter.
4. Specify the radius of the Fillet and press Enter.
Here we specified the radius of the fillet = 1
5. Select the second object.

Example 3:
The fillet process for the third figure is shown below:
1. Select the Fillet command from the ribbon
panel, or type F or Fillet on the command line
or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Select the first object.
3. Type R or Radius. Then press Enter.
4. Specify the radius of the Fillet and press Enter.
Here we specified the radius of the fillet = 1
5. Select the second object.

Example 4:
Multiple Fillet

The steps are listed below:

1. Select the Fillet command from the ribbon panel, or type F or Fillet on the command
line or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Type M or Multiple on the command line. Then press Enter.
3. Select the first object.
4. Type R or Radius. Then press Enter.
5. Specify the fillet radius. For example, 1. Then press Enter.
6. Select the second object.
7. Now, continue selecting the first and second objects.
8. Press Esc or Enter to exit.
12. Chamfer
• Bevels or chamfers the edges of two 2D objects or
the adjacent faces of a 3D solid.
• A bevel or chamfer is an angled line that meets the
endpoints of two straight 2D objects.
• A bevel or chamfer is a sloped transition between two
surfaces or adjacent faces on a 3D solid.
• A bevel or chamfer can be defined by selecting two objects of the same or different object
types: lines, polylines, rays, and xlines.
• The Chamfer command enables you to create a chamfer between any two non-parallel
lines as in the illustration below or any two adjacent polyline segments. Usually, the
Chamfer command is used to set the chamfer distances before drawing the chamfer.
• The shortcut key for Chamfer Command is CHA.

A. Methods to Activate Chamfer Command:

• Click the arrow-down beside the
Fillet icon from the modify panel
then select Chamfer.
• Type CHA or CHAMFER on the
command line then press Enter.

B. Chamfer: Command Sequence

• Type a command:
CHA or CHAMFER [Enter↲]
(TRIM mode) Current chamfer Length – 0.0000, Angle – 0

• Chamfer Select first line or [Undo Polyline Distance Trim mEthod Multiple]:
(Choose Distance from the command line)

• Chamfer Specify first chamfer distance <0.0000>:

(Enter the required first chamfer distance then press [Enter↲])

• Chamfer Specify second chamfer distance <0.0000>:

(Enter the required second chamfer distance then press [Enter↲])

• Chamfer Select first line or [Undo Polyline Distance Trim mEthod Multiple]:
(Select the first line you want to bevel or chamfer)

• Chamfer Select first line or [Undo Polyline Distance Trim mEthod Multiple]:
(Select the second line you want to bevel or chamfer)

Take Note: Before you specify the lines, you want to bevel or chamfer. Make sure to set
the chamfer distances. For example, if it’s still on 0.0000 then change it to the required
first chamfer distance. This also applies for the second chamfer distance.
C. Example/s
Let's discuss in detail with two examples. Consider the image
on the right:

Example 1:
Creating a chamfer by specifying the distance.
The steps are listed below:
1. Select Chamfer icon from the drop-down list of Fillet, or type CHA or chamfer on
the command line or command prompt and press Enter.

2. Type D or Distance on the command line. Then Press Enter.

3. Specify first distance value and press Enter.

4. Specify second distance value and press Enter.

Here, we have specified the first and second distance value as 2
and 3.

5. Click on the first line and the second line, as shown on the
right.

The chamfer will be created. We can verify the first and second
distance values, as shown on the right.

Take Note: We can either specify the endpoints of a chamfer on

the lines.

Example 2:
Creating a chamfer by specifying the angle.
The steps are listed below:
1. Select Chamfer icon from the drop-down list of Fillet, or type CHA or chamfer on
the command line or command prompt and press Enter.

2. Type A or Angle on the command line. Then press Enter.

3. Specify the length of Chamfer on the first line and press Enter.
Here, we have specified the length = 5.

4. Specify Angle value and press Enter.

5. Click on the first line and the second line, as shown on the
right.

The chamfer will be created. We can verify the specified chamfer

length, as shown below:

Example 3:
Multiple Chamfers.
The steps are listed below:
1. Select Chamfer icon from the drop-down list of Fillet, or type CHA or chamfer on
the command line or command prompt and press Enter.
2. Type M or Multiple and press Enter.
3. Follow the same steps for the distance or angle.
References/Additional Resources/Readings
• Shoukry, Y. and Pandey, J. (2020) Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2021 and AutoCAD LT 2021.
Packt Publishing Ltd. Livery Place, 35 Livery Street, Birmingham, B3 2PB, UK.
• Microcadd Institute Inc. (2018) Comprehensive AutoCAD 2019 Student Laboratory Manual.
• https://www.javatpoint.com/erase-in-autocad
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-move-command
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-copy-and-rotate-command
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-rotate-command
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-mirror
• https://www.javatpoint.com/trim-and-extend-in-autocad
• https://www.javatpoint.com/join-command-in-autocad
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-offset-command
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-fillet
• https://www.javatpoint.com/autocad-chamfer