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MODIFY COMMANDS

UNIT 5

MODIFY COMMAND

OBJECTIVES
General Objective : To understand the concept of Modify commands

Specific Objectives : At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

 Locate and invoke the Modify command

 Erase objects from the drawing.
 Move objects from a base point to a second point
of a displacement.
 Rotate objects about a basepoint.
 Enlarge or reduce objects with scale.
 Make mirror images of selected objects.
 Make rectangular and polar arrays of existing objects
 Stretch selected object.
 Trim away parts of objects at cutting edges.
 Extend objects to selected boundary edges.
 Create a fillet between two objects.
 Create a Chamfer between two objects.
 Create parallel copies of objects with offset.
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INPUT 5a

5.0 INTRODUCTION

Draw commands are used to create new objects. Modify commands or edit
commands are used to change existing objects or to use existing objects to create new and
similar objects. The commands listed below are covered in this unit:

5.1 Erase
5.2 Move
5.3 Rotate
5.4 Trim
5.5 Scale
5.6 Mirror
5.7 Array
5.8 Stretch
5.9 Extend
5.10 Fillet
5.11 Chamfer
5.12 Offset
5.13 Divide
5.14 Measure
5.15 Change
5.16 Pedit

ERASE
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The erase command deletes the objects you select from the drawing. Any of the object
selection methods can be used to highlight the object to erase. The only other required
action is press Enter to cause the erase to take effect.

Methods for invoking the ERASE command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down Menu : Modify > Erase
Command : Erase

An example of the erase command prompt is as follows:

Command: Erase
Select Objects: PICK (Use any object selection method.)
Select Objects: PICK (Continue to select desired objects)
Select objects: Enter (Confirm the object selection process and causes Erase
to take effect. )
Command:

If objects are erased accidentally, U or Undo command can be used immediately following
the mistake to undo one step, or oops can be used to bring back into the drawing whatever
was erased the last time erase was used.

5.1 MOVE

Move allows you to relocate one or more objects from the existing position in the
drawing to any other position you specify. After selecting the objects to move, you must
specify the base point and second point of displacement.

Methods for invoking the MOVE command include:

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Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : Modify > Move
Command : Move

The prompts for the MOVE command are as follows:

Command: move
Select objects: ( Select objects you want to move )
Select objects: ( Press ENTER )
Base point or displacement: ( Select a point )
Second point of displacement: ( Select a point )

Example
In the following figure, you want to put a corner of the rectangle at the center of the
circle.

Command: move
Select objects: 1 found ( select the rectangle )
Select objects: ( Press ENTER )
Base point or displacement: end of ( Select the corner of the rectangle )
Second point of displacement: center of ( Select any point on the circle
circumference )
Command:
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Figure 5.1 : Using MOVE Command to put the rectangle at the center of the circle

5.2 ROTATE

Selected object can be rotated to any position with this command. After selecting
object to rotate, you select a “basepoint” ( a point to rotate about ) then specify an
angle for rotation.

Methods for invoking the ROTATE command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : Modify>rotate
Command : Rotate

An example of the ROTATE command prompt is as follows:

Command: rotate
Select Object: ( Specify the objects to rotate )
Base Point : end of ( Specify the basepoint )
< Rotation angle>/Reference:
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Figure 5.2: Using the ROTATE command to rotate the rectangle about 900 from
basepoint

5.4 TRIM

The Trim command allows you to trim ( shorten ) the end of end object back
to the intersection of another object ( figure ). The middle section of an object can
also be trimmed between two intersection objects. There are two steps to this
command;

1. PICK one or more “cutting edge” ( existing object )

2. Then PICK the object or objects to trim ( portion to remove )

The cutting edges are highlighted after selection. Cutting edges themselves can be
trimmed if they intersect with other cutting edges, but lose their highlight when
trimmed.

Methods for invoking the TRIM command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > TRIM
Command : TRIM
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An example of the erase command prompt is as follows:

Command: trim
Select cutting edges: ( Projmode = UCS, Edgemode = No Extend)
Select Objects: PICK ( Select an object to use as a cutting edge )
Select Objects: PICK
Select Objects: Enter
< Select object to trim >/Project/Edge/Undo:PICK ( select the end of and object to
trim )
< Select object to trim >/Project/Edge/Undo: PICK
< Select object to trim >/Project/Edge/Undo:Enter
Command:

Figure 5.3: Using TRIM command to trim the objects.

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ACTIVITY 5a

EXERCISES.

5.1 Begin a New drawing and create the geometry in Figure 5.4 using Lines and Circles.
If desired, set SNAP to .25 to make drawing easy and accurate.

For practice, turn SNAP OFF ( F9 ). Use the Move command to move the circles and
lines into the position shown in illustration B. OSNAPs are required to Move the
geometry accurately. Save the drawing as MOVE1.

Figure 5.4
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5.2 Begin a New drawing and create the geometry in Figure 5.5 Rotate the shape into
position shown in step B. Save As ROTATE1.

Use the reference option to Rotate the box to align with the diagonal Line as shown
in C. Save As ROTATE2.

Figure 5.5
5.3 Trim command
i. Create the shape shown in figure 5.6 A Save As TRIM-EX
ii. Use Trim to alter the shape as shown in B Save As TRIM1
iii. Open TRIM-EX to create the shapes shown in C and D using Trim. Save As
TRIM2 and TRIM3.

Figure 5.6
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Feedback To
Activity 5a

Answers

5.1 Step to Modify Figure 5.4 (A) to get the geometry Figure 5.14 (B) using
‘Move command’

Command: MOVE ( to move the lines )

Select objects: 1 found ( select ‘a’ line )
Select objects: 1 found ( select ‘b’ line )
Select objects: ( enter to finished the selection)
Base point or displacement: end of ( select end of right horizontal line )
Second point of displacement: mid of ( select mid of right horizontal line )
Command: MOVE ( to move the first circle )
Select objects: 1 found ( select first circle )
Select objects: ( enter )
Base point or displacement: qua of ( select 90 degree quadrant for circle 1.5
diameter )
Second point of displacement: mid of ( select mid point of ‘a’ line )
Command: MOVE ( to Move second line )
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: ( enter )
Base point or displacement: cen of ( center of the 1.0 diameter circle )
Second point of displacement: int of ( center of ‘b’ line )
Command: ( enter )
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5.2 Draw carefully and after that discuss with your lecturer.
5.3 Draw carefully and after that discuss with your lecturer

INPUT 5b

5.5 SCALE

The scale command is used to increase or decrease the size of objects in a drawing. The
scale command does not normally have any relation to plotting a drawing to scale.

Methods for invoking the SCALE command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > SCALE
Command : SCALE

An example of the scale command prompt is as follows:

Command : scale
Select Object : PICK or ( coordinates) ( Select the object to scale )
Select Object : ENTER ( Indicates completion of the object selection )
Base point : PICK or ( coordinates ) ( Select the stationary point)
Scale factor <Reference>: PICK or (value) or (coordinates) ( Enter a value for the
scale factor or interactively scale the set of object)
Command :
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Figure 5.7 : Using SCALE Command to enlarge the rectangle with scale factor;2

5.6 MIRROR

This command creates a mirror image of selected existing objects. You can retain or delete
the original objects ( ‘old object’ ). After selecting objects, you create two points specifying
a ‘rubberband line’, or ‘mirror line’, about which to mirror.

Methods for invoking the MIRROR command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > MIRROR
Command : MIRROR

An example of the scale command prompt is as follows:

Command : mirror
Select Object : PICK ( Select object or group of object to mirror )
Select Object : Enter ( Press Enter to indicate completion of object selection. )
First point of mirror line : PICK or (coordinates) (Draw first endpoint of line to
represent mirror axis by PICKing or entering coordinates)
Second point of mirror : PICK or (coordinates) (Draw second point of line by
PICKing or entering coordinates)
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Delete old objects ? <N> Enter or Y ( Press Enter to yield both sets of objects or
enter Y to keep only the mirrored set.)
Command :

5.7 ARRAY

The array command creates either a Rectangular or Polar ( circular ) pattern of

existing object that you select. The pattern could be created from a single or from a group of
objects. Array copies a duplicate set of objects for each ‘item’ in the array.

Methods for invoking the ARRAY command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > ARRAY
Command : Array

Rectangular
This option creates an Array of the selection set in a pattern composed of rows and
columns. The command syntax for a rectangular is given next:

Command : Array
Select Objects : PICK ( Select object to be arrayed )
Select Objects : Enter ( Indicates completion of object selection)
Rectangular or Polar array (<R>/P) : R (indicates rectangular )
Number of rows (---)<1> : (value) ( enter value for number of rows)
Number of columns (lll)<1> : (value) (enter value for number of columns)
Unit cell or distance between rows (---): ( value) ( enter a value for the
distance from any of one object to the same point on an object in the adjacent
row.
Distance between columns (lll) : (value ) (enter a value for the distance from
any point on one object to the same point on an object in the adjacent
column.
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Command :

Figure 5.8: Using Array with Rectangular option

Polar
This option creates a circular pattern of the selection set with any number of copies
or ‘items’. The number of item specified includes the original selection set. You also
specify the center of the array, angle to generate the array through and orientation of
‘item’.

Command : Array
Select Object : PICK ( select object to be arrayed)
Select Object : Enter
Rectangular or Polar array ( <R>/P ) : P (indicates Polar array)
Center point of array : PICK ( select point from array to be generated around)
Number of items : ( value ) ( enter value for number of copies including
original selection set )
Angle to fill (+=ccw,-=cw) <360>: Enter or (value) (press enter for full
circular array, enter value for less than 360 degree array; enter negative value
for clockwise generation array)
Rotate object as they are copied? <Y> Enter or N (Press Enter for rotation of
copies object about center, N for keeping objects in original orientation.)
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Figure 5.9 : Using ARRAY Command with polar option

5.8 STRETCH

Object can be made longer or shorter with STRETCH. When ‘Stretched’,Line and Plines
become longer or shorter and Arc change radius to become longer or shorter. Circle do not
stretch; rather, they move if the circle is selected within the Crossing Window.

Methods for invoking the STRETCH command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > STRETCH
Command : STRETCH

An example of the stretch command prompt is as follows:

Command : STRETCH
Select Object(s) : to stretch by crossing-window or polygon
Select Object :
First Corner : PICK
Other Corner : PICK
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Select Object : Enter

Base point or displacement : PICK or (coordinates ) ( Select a point to use as the
point to stretch from. )
Second point of displacement : PICK or (coordinates) (Select a point to use as the
point to stretch to)
Command :

Figure 5.10 : Stretching the drawing

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ACTIVITY 7b

EXERCISES.
5.3 Begin a New drawing and create the geometry in Figure 5.11 (A). Then Scale the shape
by a factor of 1.5. Now the geometry look like Figure 5.11 (B)

Figure 5.11
5.5 A manufacturing cell is displayed in Figure 5.12 The view is from above, showing a
robot centered in a work station. The production line requires 4 cells. Begin by
starting a New drawing, setting Units to Engineering and Limits to 40’ x 30’. Draw
one cell to the dimensions indicated. Begin at the indicated coordinates of the lower-
left corner of the cell. SaveAs ROBOT1.

Figure 5.12
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Use Mirror to create the other three manufacturing cells as shown in Figure 5.13
Ensure that there is sufficient space between the cells as indicated. Draw the two
horizontal Lines representing the walkway as shown. Save the drawing.

Figure 5.13

5.6 A design change has been requested. Open ROBOT1 drawing and make the
following changes

The top of the workstation ( work area for the robot ) must be move upward. This
design change will add 3 inches to the total height of the workstation. Use Stretch to
accomplish the change. Then save the drawing as ROBOCHANGE. The figure
below shown the new workstation

Figure 5.14
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5.7 Begin a New drawing. Select Start from Scratch, English defaults. Create the start
-ing geometry for a Flange Plate as shown in Figure 5.15 Save As ARRAY.

Figure 5.15

i. Create the Polar Array as shown in Figure 5.16 A. Save As ARRAY1

ii. Open ARRAY. Create the Polar Array as shown in Figure 5.16 B. SaveAs
ARRAY2. (HINT: Use a negative angle to generate the Array in a clockwise
direction.)

Figure 5.16
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5.8 Using Array with Rectangular option

i. Begin a New drawing. Select Start from Scratch, Metric setting. Use Save and
assign the name LIBDESKS.
ii. Create the Array of study carrels (desks) for the library as shown in Figure 5.17
Draw the first carrel Each carrel is 30 x 42. Design your own chair.
iii. Create the Rectangular Array so that the carrels touch side to side and allow a 25
aisle for walking between carrels (not including chairs).

Figure 5.17
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FEEDBACK TO ACTIVITY 7b

Please discuss with your lecturer if you have any problem.

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INPUT 5C

5.9 EXTEND

Extend can be thought of as the opposite of Trim. Objects such as Lines, Arc, and
Pline can be extended until intersecting another object called a ‘boundary edge’ as in Figure
5.18. The command first requires selection of existing object to serve as ‘boundary edge(s)’,
which become highlighted, then the objects to extend are selected. Objects extend until, and
only if, they eventually intersects ‘boundary edge’. An Extended object acquires a new
endpoint at the boundary edge intersection.

Methods for invoking the EXTEND command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > EXTEND
Command : Extend

Command : extend
Select boundary edges : (Projmode = UCS, Edgemode = No extend )
Select Objects : PICK
Select Objects : PICK
Select Objects : Enter
<Select object to extend>/Project/Edge/Undo: PICK ( Select object to
extend)
<Select object to extend>/Project/Edge/Undo: PICK
<Select object to extend>/Project/Edge/Undo: Enter
Command :
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Figure 5.18

Edge mode/Project mode

The edge mode and Project mode switches operate identically to their function with
the Trim command. Use Edge mode with the Extend option if you want a boundary
edge object to be imaginarily extended.

Figure 5.19
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5.10 FILLET

The fillet command automatically rounds a sharp corner ( intersection of two Lines,
Arcs, Circles, or Pline vertices ) with a radius. You only specify the radius and select the
objects to be filleted. The objects to fillet do not have to completely intersect but can
overlap. You can specify whether or not the object are automatically extended or trimmed as
necessary ( Figure 5.20 )

Methods for invoking the FILLET command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > FILLET
Command : Fillet

The fillet command is used first to input the desired radius ( if other than the default 0.500
value ) and a second time to select the object to fillet.

Command: fillet
( TRIM Mode ) Current fillet radius = 0.5000
Polyline/Radius/Trim/<Select first object>: r ( Indicates the radius option )
Enter fillet radius < 0.5000>: ( value ) or PICK ( Enter a value for the desired
fillet radius or select two points to interactively specify the radius )
Command:

Figure 5.20
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5.11 CHAMFER

Chamfer is a manufacturing process used to replace a sharp corner with an angled

surface. In AutoCAD, Chamfer is commonly used to change the intersection of two Lines or
Plines by adding an angled line. The Chamfer command is similar to fillet, but rather than
rounding with a radius or “fillet”, an angled line is automatically drawn at the distances
( from the existing corner ) that you specify.

Methods for invoking the CHAMFER command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > CHAMFER
Command : Chamfer

Chamfer can be created by two methods: Distance ( specify two distances ) or Angle
( Specify a distance and an angle ).

Distance option  is used to specify the two values applied to create the chamfer. The value
indicate the distances from the corner ( intersection of the two line ) to each chamfer
endpoint ( Figure 5.21 ). Use the chamfer command once to specify distances and again to
draw the chamfer.

Command: chamfer
(TRIM Mode ) Current chamfer Dist1 = 0.0000, Dist2 = 0.0000
Polyline/Distance/Angle/Trim/Method/<Select first line>:d ( Indicates the distance
option )
Enter first chamfer distance<0.0000>: ( value ) or PICK
Enter second chamfer distance <value of first distance>: Enter or PICK
Command:
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FIRST
DISTANCE

SECOND
DISTANCE

Using Angle
Using Distance Method
method

Figure 5.21

5.12 OFFSET

Offset creates a parallel copy of selected object. Selected object can be Lines, Arcs, Circles,
Plines or other objects. Two options are available with offset; offset a specified distance and
offset through a specified point.

Methods for invoking the OFFSET command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > OFFSET
Command : Offset
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Figure 5.22

5.13 DIVIDE

DIVIDE marks off a specified number of equal lengths on a selected object by placing point
objects or blocks along the length or perimeter of the object. Valid objects that can be
divided include arcs, circles, ellipses and elliptical arcs, polylines, and splines.

Methods for invoking the DIVIDE command include:

Pull-down menu : DRAW > POINT>DIVIDE
Command : Divide

1 From the Draw menu, choose Point Divide.

2 Select a line, arc, spline, circle, ellipse, or polyline.
3 Enter the number of intervals you want to represent.

AutoCAD places a point at each interval on the object.

The point objects that are added to the object can be used for subsequent
construction by allowing you to OSNAP to equally spaced intervals ( Nodes ). After using
the Divide Command, the point objects may not be visible unless the point style is changed
with the Point Style… dialog box ( Format pull-down menu ). A Regen must be invoked
before the new Point style will be displayed. Figure 5.23 below shows Points displayed at
the object.
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Figure 5.23

5.14 MEASURE

The Measure command will take an entity such as a line or arc and the
measurement along it depends on the length of the segment. It similar with divide
command, accomplishes this by placing a point entity at a specified distance given in
the measure command.

Methods for invoking the MEASURE command include:

Pull-down menu : DRAW > POINT>MEASURE

Command : Measure

Figure 5.24 Using Measure to divide and measure the line with 3.0 inches length.

5.15 CHANGE
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Using the change command allows the characteristics of an entity to be

modified. The Change command allows changing three options: Points, Properties
or Text

Methods for invoking the CHANGE command :

Command : Change

Figure 5.23 : Using Change Command with changing point method

This point allows changing the endpoint of an object or endpoints of several objects
to one position:
Command: Change
Select Objects :PICK
Select Object :Enter
Properties/<Change point>:PICK ( Select a point to establish as new
endpoint of all objects)
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5.16 PEDIT

This command provides numerous options for editing polylines ( Plines ). The list of
options below emphasizes the great flexibility possible with polylines. The first step
after invoking Pedit is to select Pline to edit.

Methods for invoking the PEDIT command include:

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : MODIFY > Object > Polyline
Command : Pedit.

An example of the Pedit command prompt is as follows:

Command : Pedit
Select Polyline : PICK (select the polyline for subsequent editing )
Close or Open/ Join/Width/Edit Vertex/Fit/Spline/Decurve/Ltype
gen/Undo/eXit<X>: (option) ( Select the desired option from the screen
menu or enter the capitalized letter for the desired option.

Close
Close connect the last segment with the first segment of an existing ‘open’ Pline,
resulting in a ‘closed’ Pline. (Figure 5.24 ). A closed Pline is one continuous object
having no specific start or endpoint, as opposed to one closed by PICKing points. A
closed Pline reacts differently to the Spline option and to some commands such as
Fillet, Pline option.
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Figure 5.24
Open
Open removes the closing segment if the Close option was used previously. ( Figure
5.24 )

Join
This option join, or connect, any Pline, Lines, or Arc that have exact matching
endpoint and add them to the selected Pline ( Figure 5.25 ) Previously closed Plines
cannot be joined.

Figure 5.25
Width
Width allows specification of a uniform width for Pline segment. ( Figure 5.26 ).
Non-uniform width can be specified with the Edit Vertex option.
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Figure 5.26

Another methods that available under Pedit Command are Edit vertex, fit,
Spline,Decurve, Ltype gen, Undo and Exit. Please practice that methods
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ACTIVITY 5c

EXERCISES.

8.9 Open each of the drawing created as solutions for Figure 5.6 ( TRIM1, TRIM2 and
TRIM3 ). Use extend to return each of the drawing to the original form shown in
Figure 5.6 A. Save As EXTEND1, EXTEND2 and EXTEND3

5.10 Create the ‘T’ Plate shown in Figure 5.27. Use Fillet to create all the fillets and
rounds as the last step. When finished, Save the drawing as T-PLATE.

Figure 5.27
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5.11 Start New Drawing with Metric setting. Then using Offset Command to draw the
entire box in Figure 5.28

Figure 5.28

5.12 Draw the figure below to learn chamfer command

i. Begin a New drawing and select Start from Scratch, English defaults.
ii. Set the Limits to 279,216. Next, type Zoom and use the All option.
iii. Create the Catch Bracket shown in Figure 5.29. Draw the shape with all vertical
and horizontal Lines ( Figure 5.29A )
iv. Use Chamfer to create the six chamfers ( Figure 5.29B ). Save the drawing as
CBRACKET.

B
A

Figure 5.29
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5.13 Create the table in Figure 5.30 to be used as a bill of materials. Draw the bottom
Line ( as dimensioned ) and a vertical Line. Use Divide along the bottom Line and
Measure along vertical line to locate Points as desired. Create Offsets through the
Points.

Use Measure command

to Use Divide command to
measure with 0.5 width divice with 6 segment

Figure 5.30
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FEEDBACK TO ACTIVITY 5c

Draw the figure carefully and then discuss with your lecturer
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You are approaching success. Try all the questions in this self-assessment.

QUESTION 5-1 :

a) Draw all figures below with all draw and modify commands

i)

Figure 5.31

ii)
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Figure 5.32

iii)
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Figure 5.33
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Feedback To Self-Assessment

Please discuss with your lecturer if you have any problem.