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Lesson 2-03 – Object Selection and Modification

🎓 Lesson Plan: Object Selection and Modification

🧰 Focus: Use of commands like MOVE, COPY, ROTATE, SCALE, and ERASE

Level: Beginner
Duration: 90 minutes
Mode: Self-paced or Instructor-led

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

  • Understand object selection methods in AutoCAD.
  • Apply core modification commands to reposition, duplicate, resize, rotate, or remove objects.
  • Use the Command Line effectively to execute and repeat modification tasks.

🗂️ Lesson Structure

SectionDetails
1. Introduction (5 min)Overview of why modification tools are essential in daily drafting tasks
2. Object Selection Methods (15 min)Learn different selection techniques: single, window, crossing, fence, etc.
3. The MOVE Command (10 min)How to relocate objects using base points and displacement vectors
4. The COPY Command (10 min)Duplicating objects using defined distances and multiple copies
5. The ROTATE Command (10 min)Rotating around a base point with specified angles
6. The SCALE Command (10 min)Resizing objects proportionally with scale factors
7. The ERASE Command (5 min)Deleting selected objects safely
8. Combining Commands (10 min)Practice exercise using all five commands together
9. Challenge Activity (10 min)Modify a layout using MOVE, COPY, ROTATE, SCALE, and ERASE efficiently
10. Recap & Self-Quiz (5 min)Review key concepts and test understanding

🧭 Lesson Content

🔹 1. Object Selection Methods

  • Click Select – individual objects
  • Window Selection – click left to right (selects only fully enclosed objects)
  • Crossing Selection – click right to left (selects anything touched)
  • Fence, Lasso, Last, Previous, All
  • Practice: Try each method on a sample drawing

🔹 2. MOVE Command

  • Command: MOVE
  • Select object(s) → specify base point → specify second point
  • Tip: Use Ortho Mode (F8) for straight-line movement
  • Practice: Move a door to a new position in a floor plan

🔹 3. COPY Command

  • Command: COPY
  • Like MOVE, but retains the original object
  • Multiple mode to place more than one copy
  • Practice: Copy chairs around a table

🔹 4. ROTATE Command

  • Command: ROTATE
  • Select object → base point → angle or reference
  • Tip: Use polar tracking or type angles (e.g., 45, 90)
  • Practice: Rotate a plant symbol 45 degrees clockwise

🔹 5. SCALE Command

  • Command: SCALE
  • Select object → base point → scale factor (e.g., 2 = 200%)
  • Tip: Use Reference to scale relative to existing size
  • Practice: Resize a logo to fit into a title block

🔹 6. ERASE Command

  • Command: ERASE or E
  • Select objects to remove and press Enter
  • Use UNDO if you make a mistake
  • Practice: Remove duplicate text labels

🔹 7. Combining Commands

  • Modify a layout:
    • Move a title block
    • Copy a note
    • Rotate a symbol
    • Resize a graphic
    • Erase unwanted lines

🛠️ Hands-On Exercise

Project: Modify an office plan
Use the following:

  • MOVE desks to new positions
  • COPY chairs around each desk
  • ROTATE one desk 180°
  • SCALE a conference table by 0.75
  • ERASE all construction lines

Save as: modified_office_plan.dwg

🧠 Quick Self-Check

  1. What’s the difference between MOVE and COPY?
  2. What happens when you scale an object by a factor of 0.5?
  3. How do you rotate something exactly 90°?
  4. What’s the quickest way to delete multiple objects at once?

✅ Completion Checklist

✔ Practiced all five core modification commands
✔ Demonstrated effective object selection
✔ Completed and saved the hands-on project
✔ Answered the self-check questions