MOVE command in AutoCAD - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The MOVE command in AutoCAD lets you move objects from one place to another. It helps you reposition parts of your drawing easily without redrawing them.

When you want to adjust the position of a door in a floor plan.

When you need to align furniture in a room layout.

When you want to move a group of objects to a new location on your drawing.

When you need to fix the placement of a window after measuring errors.

When you want to organize elements to improve drawing clarity.

Steps

Step 1: Type MOVE and press Enter

- Command line

AutoCAD prompts you to select objects to move

💡 You can also click the Move icon on the Modify panel

Step 2: Select the objects you want to move

- Drawing area

Selected objects highlight and AutoCAD prompts for base point

💡 Click carefully to select all needed objects

Step 3: Press Enter to confirm selection

- Command line

AutoCAD prompts you to specify the base point

💡 The base point is where you grab the objects to move

Step 4: Click a point in the drawing as the base point

- Drawing area

AutoCAD prompts you to specify the second point

💡 Choose a point that makes moving easier to control

Step 5: Click the destination point where you want to move the objects

- Drawing area

Objects move to the new location based on the points chosen

Before vs After

Before

A door is located at coordinates X=10, Y=5 in the floor plan

After

The door is moved to coordinates X=15, Y=10 in the floor plan

Settings Reference

Base Point

📍 During MOVE command prompt

Defines the point on the object to grab and move from

Default: User clicks a point

Second Point

📍 During MOVE command prompt

Defines where the base point moves to

Default: User clicks a point

Object Selection

📍 After typing MOVE command

Determines which objects will be moved

Default: User selects objects

Common Mistakes

Not selecting objects before specifying base point

AutoCAD will not know which objects to move and will prompt again

Always select objects first, then press Enter to confirm before choosing base point

Choosing an unclear base point

Makes it hard to control where the objects move

Pick a logical base point like a corner or center of the object

Summary

The MOVE command repositions selected objects by specifying a base point and a destination point.

Select objects first, then pick a base point to grab them from.

Click the destination point to place the objects in the new location.

Practice

1.

What does the MOVE command do in AutoCAD?

easy

A. It shifts selected objects from one location to another.

B. It copies objects without changing their position.

C. It deletes selected objects from the drawing.

D. It changes the color of selected objects.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of MOVE command

   The MOVE command is designed to relocate objects within the drawing space.

2. Step 2: Compare options with MOVE functionality

   Only It shifts selected objects from one location to another. describes shifting objects, which matches the MOVE command's function.

3. Final Answer:

   It shifts selected objects from one location to another. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   MOVE = shift objects [OK]

Hint: MOVE shifts objects; it does not copy or delete [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing MOVE with COPY command
• Thinking MOVE deletes objects
• Assuming MOVE changes object properties like color

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to start the MOVE command in AutoCAD?

_move, move, MOVE, or mv

easy

A. _move

B. mv

C. move

D. mov

Solution

1. Step 1: Recognize AutoCAD command syntax

   AutoCAD commands often start with an underscore (_) for compatibility across languages.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct command form

   "_move" is the correct syntax to start the MOVE command universally.

3. Final Answer:

   _move -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use underscore for commands: _move [OK]

Hint: Use underscore (_) before commands for universal syntax [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Typing 'mv' instead of 'move'
• Omitting underscore causing command not found
• Using incorrect abbreviations like 'mov'

3.

You select a rectangle at coordinates (2,3) and use the MOVE command with base point (2,3) and second point (5,7). What will be the new coordinates of the rectangle's lower-left corner?

medium

A. (2,3)

B. (3,4)

C. (7,10)

D. (5,7)

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate the move vector

   The move vector is from base point (2,3) to second point (5,7), so vector = (5-2, 7-3) = (3,4).

2. Step 2: Apply move vector to original point

   Original lower-left corner at (2,3) plus vector (3,4) results in (2+3, 3+4) = (5,7).

3. Final Answer:

   (5,7) -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   New point = old point + move vector = (5,7) [OK]

Hint: Add vector (second point - base point) to original coordinates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using base point coordinates as new location
• Adding coordinates incorrectly
• Confusing base and second points

4.

When using the MOVE command, you accidentally select the wrong base point. What is the likely result?

medium

A. The command cancels automatically.

B. Objects get deleted.

C. Objects move to an unexpected location.

D. The MOVE command changes object color.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of base point in MOVE

   The base point is the reference from which the move vector is calculated.

2. Step 2: Effect of wrong base point

   If the base point is wrong, the move vector is incorrect, so objects move to wrong places.

3. Final Answer:

   Objects move to an unexpected location. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Wrong base point = wrong move location [OK]

Hint: Choose base point carefully to avoid wrong moves [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting command to cancel on wrong base point
• Thinking objects get deleted
• Assuming color changes after move

5.

You want to move multiple objects so their center aligns exactly at point (10,10). The objects' current centers are at (4,6), (7,8), and (9,5). What base point and second point should you use for the MOVE command on each object?

hard

A. Base point: (10,10); Second point: (0,0)

B. Base point: object's center; Second point: (10,10)

C. Base point: (0,0); Second point: (10,10)

D. Base point: (10,10); Second point: object's center

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to align centers

   To move each object so its center reaches (10,10), use the object's current center as base point.

2. Step 2: Use (10,10) as second point

   The second point is the target location where you want the center to move.

3. Final Answer:

   Base point: object's center; Second point: (10,10) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Move vector = (10,10) - object's center [OK]

Hint: Base point = current center; second point = target center [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping base and second points
• Using fixed base point (0,0) incorrectly
• Not moving each object individually