AutoCAD Trick for Super Speedy Move and Copy

Here’s a simple tip for you that’s been around forever.  When using the Move or Copy command, most of us don’t realize that the real default for the command is displacement.  For example, if you wanted to move an object 5 units at an angle of 45 most of us would highlight the object, select a base point and then input @5,<45.  right?  Well let me shave two steps off of this for you!

Let’s look at the actual command structure:

Command: MOVE

Select objects: 1 found

Select objects:

Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>:

Did you know that at the first prompt you could just enter in” 5<45”?  Follow this up with an extra enter to complete the command and AutoCAD will use this as the displacement.  This saves you the step of selecting a base point, and you don’t have to key in the pesky “@” symbol either!

It looks like this:

MOVE

Select objects: 1 found

Select objects:

Specify base point or [Displacement] <Displacement>: 5<45

Specify second point or <use first point as displacement>: (enter)

Try it…saving two steps here and there adds up during the day!