How to I Clip in AutoCAD?

Understanding the Clipping Functionality in AutoCAD

Clipping is a powerful feature in AutoCAD that allows users to define visible areas of objects, such as images, external references, and blocks. By setting a clipping boundary, you can hide portions that you do not wish to display, either inside or outside a specified area. This control is managed through the XCLIPFRAME variable, which allows you to toggle the visibility of the clipping boundaries.

How to Clip an Object in AutoCAD

To clip objects like images or external references, follow these steps:

1. Activate the “Clip” command by typing CLIP into the command line and pressing Enter.
2. Select the object you wish to clip. This could be an image or an xref.
3. Define the clipping boundary by specifying points around the area you want to keep visible. You can also use an existing closed polyline by typing “P” and selecting it.
4. Confirm the area by pressing Enter to finish the command.

Trimming Lines and Blocks in AutoCAD

While you can map clipping boundaries, trimming lines and blocks requires a different approach. For clipping a block, you need to edit the block either in the Block Editor or in-place. Here’s how:

1. Double-click on the block to open it in the Block Editor.
2. Select the lines or shapes that you want to remove.
3. Press the Delete key to remove selected items.
4. Save your changes and exit the Block Editor.

Creating Clipping Masks

If you want to create a more complex clipping effect, a clipping mask can be used. Follow these steps:

1. Select the “Wipeout” tool from the Annotate tab in the Markup panel.
2. Click points in the drawing area sequentially to form the perimeter of the masking area.
3. Close the perimeter to finalize the area to be masked, then press Enter.

Managing Clipping Boundaries in AutoCAD

To manage clipping boundaries, including turning them on or off or deleting them, adhere to the following steps:

1. Navigate to the Modify menu and select “Clip” followed by “Image.”
2. Click on the clipped image.
3. Type “D” to delete the clipping boundary and restore the original image visibility.

Disabling Clipping Boundaries for Xrefs

Adjusting the visibility of xref clipping boundaries can be essential for clarity. To turn off clipping boundaries:

1. Go to the Insert tab and find “Clip Xref.”
2. Select the external reference of interest and hit Enter.
3. Choose to toggle the boundary Off to hide it or On to display it again.

Creating Invisible Clipping Boundaries

If you wish to hide the visibility of clipping boundaries without deleting them, use the following steps:

1. Open the Modify menu, and select Object followed by “Image Frame.”
2. Set the visibility option: enter 0 to hide boundaries, 1 to show and plot, or 2 to show but not plot.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I see all clipboard contents in AutoCAD?

AutoCAD does not directly show clipboard contents, but you can use the Windows clipboard history feature by pressing Windows key + V.

2. Is it possible to clip multiple areas of the same object?

Yes, you can perform multiple clipping operations on the same object by copying the clipped reference and creating new clipping boundaries sequentially.

3. How do I crop a DWG file in AutoCAD?

To crop a DWG file, zoom out to view the entire drawing, deselect any selected elements, and right-click on the outer edge to select the “Crop Tool.”