Moving Objects by Clicking with the Move by Points Tool

Objects can be moved, duplicated, and distributed along a specified distance by clicking with the Move by Points tool. This tool also moves symbols within walls (see Moving Symbols in Walls with the Move by Points Tool).

Move_points_modes.png 

Mode
Description

Move

Moves and duplicates selected objects according to the distance and direction specified by two mouse clicks

Distribute

Moves and distributes duplicate objects between the points specified by two mouse clicks

Reference Point

Moves selected objects according to a clicked reference point and a specified offset distance from that point; the Preferences settings are not applicable when this mode is selected

Object Retention

Keeps the original objects; this is the same as selecting the Retain option in the tool preferences

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Moving Objects with the Move or Distribute Mode

MoveByPoints_tool.png 

To move, duplicate, and distribute selected objects:

  1. Select the object or objects to move and/or duplicate.

  2. Click the Move by Points tool from the Basic palette and click Preferences from the Tool bar.

    3. The Move by Points Settings dialog box opens. Select the settings and click OK.

    Click to show/hide the parameters.

    To change the selected objects, press and hold the Alt key (Windows) or Cmd key (Mac) while you Shift-click or click-drag to select the objects. The Selection tool is activated in boomerang mode while the Alt or Cmd key is pressed.

  3. Select either the Move or Distribute mode, depending on the desired outcome.

    4. Mode
    Number of
    Duplicates
    Original Object Retained
    Result

    Move or Distribute

    0

    not applicable

    Moves the original object(s) to the location specified by clicking

    Move or Distribute

    1

    No

    Moves the original object(s) to the location specified by clicking

    Move or Distribute

    1

    Yes

    Creates one duplicate of the original object(s), placed at the location indicated by clicking

    Move

    > 1

    No

    Moves the original object(s), placing the original at the location specified by the first click, and placing the duplicates the same distance apart from each other along the vector created by the two click points

    Move

    > 1

    Yes

    Creates duplicates of the original object(s), placing the first duplicate at the location specified by the second click, and placing additional duplicates the same distance apart from each other along the vector created by the two click points

    Distribute

    > 1

    No

    Moves the original object(s), placing the original at the location specified by the first click, and distributing the duplicates between the two click points, and along the vector created by the two points

    Distribute

    > 1

    Yes

    Creates duplicates of the original object(s), distributing the duplicates between the two click points, and along the vector created by the two points

  4. Click once (anywhere on the drawing) to indicate the vector start point, and click again to indicate the vector end point. Duplicates are placed in the vector direction, at the distance specified by the click points, along the line defined by the click points.

Objects_edit100017.png 

Moving Objects with the Reference Point Mode

Reference Point mode can work two ways; the first click can either indicate the object to be moved or the reference point from which the object will be offset.

MoveByPoints_tool00020.png 

To move selected objects using a reference point:

  1. Select the objects to move.

  2. Click the Move by Points tool from the Basic palette.

    3. To change the selected objects, press and hold the Alt key (Windows) or Cmd key (Mac) while you Shift-click or click-drag to select the objects. The Selection tool is activated in boomerang mode while the Alt or Cmd key is pressed.

  3. Select the Reference Point mode from the Tool bar.

  4. Click to indicate either the reference point, or a point on the selected object.

    5. The Enter Offset dialog box opens.

  5. The current Offset distance between the two click points displays. Enter the desired distance.

  6. Select whether the first click made was the reference point or a point on the object to be moved.

  7. Click OK. The selected object is moved as specified, along the line defined by the click points.

  8. The setting for how the first click is interpreted remains set until it is changed.

Objects_edit100021.png 

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Moving Objects

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