Copying entities

Copying entities within a drawing

Copying between drawings

Copying entities within a drawing

You can duplicate entities within the current drawing. The default method is to create a selection set and then specify a starting point, or base point, and an endpoint, or displacement point, for the copy. You can also make multiple copies or copy the selection set to a location you specify, using a direction vector. You can also create an array of copied entities; for more details, see Arraying entities.     

In addition to copying regular entities in a drawing, you can also copy entities that are contained within blocks, external references, and underlays.

To copy a selection set    

   1   Do one of the following to choose Copy ():

    On the ribbon, choose Edit > Copy (in Modify).

    On the menu, choose Modify > Copy.

    On the Modify toolbar, click the Copy tool.

    Type copy and then press Enter.

   2   Select the entities, and then press Enter.

   3   Specify the base point.

   4   Specify the insertion point.

   5   Continue specifying insertion points to place additional copies.

   6   To complete the command, press Enter.  

 

To make a single copy of an entity, select the entity to copy (A), base point (B), and then displacement point (C).

 

Result.

   

 

To make multiple copies of an entity, select the entity to copy (A), specify the base point (B), and then specify the displacement points (C, D, and E).

 

Result.

Use a shortcut.
 Press and hold Ctrl, then click and drag the left mouse button to copy a selected entity.

Use a system variable.
The COPYMODE system variable controls whether you are prompted for multiple copies.

Use the Move/Copy/Rotate command.
You can move, copy, rotate, and scale selected entities using a single command. Choose the Move/Copy/Rotate express tool or type mocoro.

To copy nested entities within blocks, external references, or underlays   

   1   Do one of the following to choose Copy Nested Entities ():

    On the ribbon, choose Express Tools > Copy Nested Entities (in Blocks).

    On the menu, choose Express Tools > Blocks > Copy Nested Entities.

    Type ncopy and then press Enter.

   2   Select the entities nested within blocks, external references, or underlays, and then press Enter.

   3   Specify the base point.

   4   Specify the insertion point.

   5   Continue specifying insertion points to place additional copies.

   6   To complete the command, press Enter.