How To Delete Drawing In AutoCAD?

Understanding the Deletion Process in AutoCAD

Deleting elements in AutoCAD is a fundamental skill for anyone using the software. Whether you’re working with simple lines or complex surfaces, knowing how to efficiently remove objects from your drawing is crucial. Below are several methods for deleting drawings and their components in AutoCAD.

Using the Erase Command

1. Access the Erase Command:

   • Locate the Home tab on the ribbon.
   • In the Modify panel, click on the "Erase" option. You can also use the shortcut by right-clicking in the drawing area and selecting "Erase" from the context menu.

2. Select Objects to Delete:

   • Once the Erase command is active, you will see a prompt asking you to select objects.
   • You can click on the object(s) directly with your mouse. For multiple selections, you can hold down the Shift key to add to your selection.
   • Use window selection by clicking and dragging to define a box around the objects you want to erase.
3. Confirm Deletion:
   • After selecting the objects, press Enter.
   • The selected items will be deleted from the drawing.

Deleting Part of a Shape

1. Select the Desired Object:

   • Click on the shape (e.g., polyline) you want to modify.
   • Hold the CTRL key to make only a portion of the shape highlight.
2. Delete the Selected Portion:
   • After selecting the segment, simply press the Delete key on your keyboard.
   • This allows for more granular control over what you wish to remove from your drawing.

Deleting Multiple Lines or Objects

1. Identify Duplicate Objects:

   • To remove overlapping or duplicate elements, type "OVERKILL" in the command line and press Enter. This command analyzes the drawing for redundant elements.

2. Select the Overlapping Objects:

   • Use a selection method, such as window selection or clicking individual objects while holding down the Shift key.
   • Press Enter to finalize the selection once completed.
3. Adjust Settings (if needed):
   • When the Delete Duplicate Objects dialog appears, you can tweak the settings as desired. The defaults are generally suitable for most needs.
   • Click OK to remove duplicates.

Deleting 3D Surfaces

1. Prepare to Delete Surfaces:

   • Ensure that the surface style allows for visibility of triangles or points by adjusting the display settings if necessary.

2. Navigate to the Surface in Toolspace:

   • Open the Toolspace panel and go to the Prospector tab.
   • Expand the surface Definition collection where your target surface is listed.
3. Delete the Surface:
   • Right-click on the desired surface and select "Delete" from the context menu.
   • If prompted, confirm the deletion. Note that if there are dependencies tied to the surface, you will need to resolve those before deletion is possible.

Clearing Unwanted Elements

1. Using the Purge Command:

   • To remove unused items from your drawing, you can use the "PURGE" command.
   • Type “-PURGE” in the command line and select the types of objects you wish to clear, such as layers or blocks.
2. Finalizing the Purge:
   • After selecting the items, execute the purge by following the prompts. This action can significantly reduce file size by clearing unnecessary data.

FAQs

How do I erase the last action in AutoCAD?
You can quickly erase the last object drawn by typing L for "Last" in the Erase command and pressing Enter.

What are modifications available for the Erase command?
You may enter different options while using the Erase command, such as selecting previous selections (enter ‘P’) or using window selection.

Why can’t I delete a specific object in AutoCAD?
Objects that have dependencies or are part of a locked layer cannot be deleted. Check for any associated elements or layer statuses that might prevent deletion.