AutoCAD Precision, Basic, and Advanced Editing Techniques

Vocabulary flashcards covering AutoCAD Object Snap modes, coordinate systems, basic editing tools, and advanced editing commands.

Object Snap (OSNAP)

An AutoCAD feature with $16$ modes that allows users to specify precise points on existing objects in order to create or edit objects.

APPin

An Object Snap mode that snaps to a real or imaginary intersection of two objects (apparent intersection).

CENter

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the center of an arc or circle.

ENDpoint

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the closest end of any object.

EXTention

An Object Snap mode that snaps to a point along the extension of a line or arc.

FROM

An Object Snap mode that establishes a temporary reference point from the parameters of an existing object.

INSertion

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the insertion point of a block.

INTersection

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the intersection of two items.

MIDpoint

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the midpoint of a selected item.

NEARest

An Object Snap mode that snaps to a point on an object nearest to the digitized point.

NODE

An Object Snap mode that snaps to a point created by POINT, DIVIDE, or MEASURE.

NONE

An Object Snap mode that turns the Object Snap mode off.

PARallel

An Object Snap mode that draws a line parallel to an existing line.

PERpendicular

An Object Snap mode that snaps to a $90$ degree angle to an existing line.

QUADrant

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the $0$, $90$, $180$, or $270$ degree point on an arc, circle, or ellipse.

Quick (OSNAP)

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the first snap point found.

TANgent

An Object Snap mode that snaps to the tangent of an arc or circle.

Object Snap Tracking (OTRACK)

A drafting alignment tool toggled with $F11$ that requires Object Snap ($F3$) to be active; it projects horizontal or vertical tracking vectors from acquired object snap points.

Dynamic Input

A drafting interface feature toggled with $F12$ that shows command prompts, input boxes, coordinate data, dynamic preview dimensions, and drafting aids near the crosshairs.

DYNMODE

The system variable that controls Dynamic Input display, set to $1$, $2$, or $3$ for ON, and $0$ for OFF.

Cartesian Coordinate System

A 2D coordinate system where point locations are determined on a flat surface (XY plane) by horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) distances from an intersection origin at $0,0$.

Absolute Coordinates

A coordinate entry method using X,Y values measured relative to the fixed origin ($0,0$) represented by the UCS icon.

Relative Coordinates

A coordinate entry method using the @ symbol prefix (such as @4,0) to measure distance traveled in X and Y relative to the current pick point.

Polar Coordinates

A coordinate entry method that uses a distance and an angle relative to an origin (formatted like @34.897<30), where the < sign precedes the angle starting from $0$ degrees along the positive X axis.

Construction Lines (XLINE)

Infinitely long lines activated with the XL command that serve as temporary reference guides and view projection lines.

MOVE Command

A basic editing command activated by typing M that shifts selected objects from a designated base point to a target location or coordinate.

COPY Command

A basic editing command activated by typing CO or COPY that duplicates objects within the drawing relative to a selected base point.

ROTATE Command

A basic editing command activated by typing RO that turns selected objects around a pivot point based on a typed angle or reference points.

Compass Shortcuts (ROTATE)

Angle prompt shortcuts N (North), S (South), E (East), and W (West) used for quick $90$-degree rotations, or -N for a clockwise $90$-degree rotation.

SCALE Command

A command activated by typing SC that expands or shrinks objects relative to a base point using a numeric factor (e.g., $2$ or $0.5$) or a reference dimension.

MIRROR Command

A command activated by typing MI or MIRROR that flips selected objects across a user-defined two-point mirror line, with an option to erase or retain original objects.

MIRRTEXT

A system variable that, when set to $0$, prevents text and dimensions from reversing direction when mirrored.

STRETCH Command

A command activated by typing S that lengthens or shortens objects while preserving connectivity, requiring a crossing window selection across target vertices.

Crossing Window (STRETCH)

A green selection box dragged from right to left that encloses only the specific endpoints or vertices intended to be stretched.

ERASE Command

A command activated by typing E or pressing the Delete key that removes selected objects from the drawing.

TRIM Command

An editing command activated by typing TR or TRIM that removes sections of lines or arcs where they cross other objects.

EXTEND Command

An editing command activated by typing EX that lengthens lines, arcs, or open polylines to reach a defined boundary edge.

OFFSET Command

A command activated by typing O that creates a parallel copy of an object at a specified distance or through a specified point.

OFFSETGAPTYPE

A system variable controlling how tight inward corners behave during offset operations by setting them to trim, fillet (round), or chamfer (bevel).

FILLET Command

A command activated by typing F or FILLET that replaces sharp corners with a curved radius, or trims/extends non-parallel lines to a sharp $90$-degree corner if set to radius $0$.

CHAMFER Command

A command activated by typing CHA or CHAMFER that trims sharp corners and joins two straight edges with an angled, slanted flat line (bevel).

Rectangular Array

An array pattern that arranges duplicated objects across a grid defined by rows, columns, and 3D levels.

Polar Array

An array pattern that duplicates objects evenly in a circular pattern around a center point.

Path Array

An array pattern that places and aligns copies of an object evenly along a curve, line, or arc path.

BREAK Command

A command activated by typing BR or BREAK that divides an object into two pieces or removes the segment between two selected points.

BREAKATPOINT

A variation of the BREAK command that splits an object at a single selected point without removing any material.

JOIN Command

A command activated by typing J or JOIN that combines separate, touching, or collinear line segments, arcs, or polylines into one continuous object.