Help with Basic Line and Object Manipulation in AutoCAD

[laban48707]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm a complete beginner with AutoCAD and currently learning the basics. I’ve managed to draw some simple objects, but I’m having trouble with basic line and object manipulation. Specifically, I’m unsure how to efficiently move, rotate, and scale objects after they’ve been drawn. I’ve tried using the MOVE, ROTATE, and SCALE commands, but I often get stuck on how to precisely position or adjust objects, especially when I need them to align with other elements.

 

I also check this: https://www.cadtutor.net/forum/topic/94593-how-i-can-remove-the-terrain-easily-from-my-subterranean-part-of-the-buildevopscourse Does anyone have some tips or step-by-step advice on how to make this process smoother? Any advice on snapping to points, or using object snaps (OSNAP), would also be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[BIGAL]

Just keep practicing is the best solution. The answer to align is just that there is a ALIGN command, pick objects, pick 1st point object, pick 1st point for align, repeat for second point, press Enter and it should happen. Read the prompts that come up. 

 

[Dadgad]

On 12/27/2024 at 8:45 AM, BIGAL said:

Just keep practicing is the best solution. The answer to align is just that there is a ALIGN command, pick objects, pick 1st point object, pick 1st point for align, repeat for second point, press Enter and it should happen. Read the prompts that come up. 

 

The ALIGN command is pretty great, once you start working in 3D, there is also a 3DALIGN command.

You might want to check out MYCADSITE, to help you with all manner of newbie issues,

and a very well designed introductory course for free.

It worked for me 16 years ago when I was self instructing.

[tombu]

You'll find there's several ways to do anything in AutoCAD so you will often receive a variety of correct answers to most questions. I often use grips to Stretch, Move, Rotate, Scale or Mirror lines and objects.

 https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-BBEA1F71-EB16-4D49-80D9-970A6909F508

When snapping to an endpoint remember you only have to hover over anywhere on that half of the segment with that endpoint and it will display an icon where it will snap to when selected. So if there's multiple endpoints close together find a spot on that segment to pick that not near any others. Keep in mind AutoCAD is 3D so snapping perpendicular to a line whose endpoints have different elevations may not appear perpendicular on your display.

 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to AutoCAD in AutoCAD help is a great place to start, then continue with other links in Getting Started & Have You Tried. https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-2AA12FC5-FBB2-4ABE-9024-90D41FEB1AC3

 

Hope you enjoy learning AutoCAD as long as you use it, because there will always be more to learn!

Edited December 28, 2024 by tombu

[CyberAngel]

On 12/26/2024 at 7:42 AM, laban48707 said:

... I’m unsure how to efficiently move, rotate, and scale objects after they’ve been drawn. I’ve tried using the MOVE, ROTATE, and SCALE commands, but I often get stuck on how to precisely position or adjust objects, especially when I need them to align with other elements.

 

As someone else noted, there are multiple options for any process in AutoCAD. Find one that works for you and keep moving forward. You can always come back later and experiment with the other options. You may even find something that works better.

 

To align objects, such as the endpoints of lines, there's always object snaps. Do a little research, find out how they work, and you'll save a lot of time. Every transformation command has options to move/rotate/scale to fit one object to another.

 

Another thing to start on immediately is Properties. Open the Properties window and keep it open. Learn what the values are and what they mean. Once you understand properties, you'll be a long way down the road to mastering AutoCAD.

[BIGAL]

Using object snap is your friend as previously mentioned, I have shortcuts set up so can switch snaps which helps with tasks like only select ends. Not sure if your aware but can call a snap not set just hold down the shift key and press right button on mouse. The other if drawing square use F8 key ortho on and off. Another hint to draw a line of a length say with ortho on. pick start point drag mouse for direction then type distance line done !

 

I use this osnap setting most times, you just type OSMODE then 47. Its end, mid, cen, node, intersection. If you have osnaps that you like just set them then type Osmode a number will appear, you can reset your osnaps any time using osmode and that number.

 

The other handy one is in a command type M2P this is get the midpoint of two picked points very useful.

 

I am sure others will provide some more hints.