How To Stop Constraints In AutoCAD?

Understanding Constraints in AutoCAD

Constraints in AutoCAD can restrict the movement and positioning of objects within your drawings. This functionality is useful for maintaining relationships between objects, but there are times when you may want to stop or remove these constraints. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to manage and eliminate constraints in AutoCAD.

Removing Constraints from Objects

1. Select the object: Click on the object that has the constraint you wish to remove.
2. Access the Parametric tab: Navigate to the Ribbon and find the Parametric tab.
3. Locate the Geometric panel: Within the Parametric tab, find the Geometric panel.
4. Use the Show/Hide feature: Click on the Show/Hide option; a dialog box will appear.
5. Select the constrained objects: Highlight the objects that have the geometric constraints.
6. Press Enter: After selection, press Enter to confirm.
7. Choose the appropriate action: In the options that appear, select Hide to make the constraints invisible.

Switching Off Constraints

If you prefer to disable constraints without removing them entirely, the following steps can be taken:

1. Open the Command Line: Access the command line at the bottom of the AutoCAD interface.
2. Input the command: Type CONSTRAINTINFER and hit Enter.
3. Set the value: When prompted, set the variable to 0 to disable the constraints temporarily.
4. Re-enable when necessary: To turn the constraints back on, repeat the steps and set the value to 1.

Disabling Constraints via the Task Menu

For a more straightforward approach to adjusting constraints for specific tasks:

1. Select the Task: Click on the task or object constrained.
2. Navigate to the Task Menu: Find and click on the Task menu.
3. Open Task Information: Select Task Information from the dropdown.
4. Go to the Advanced tab: Look for the Advanced tab in the dialog that appears.
5. Change the Constraint Type: From the Constraint Type dropdown, choose As Soon As Possible and click OK to apply.

Deleting Constraints

To entirely remove constraints from an object:

1. Use the Purge Command: Type PURGE in the command line and press Enter.
2. Select the constraints to delete: In the Purge dialog that opens, check the constraints you wish to delete and confirm the deletion.
3. Apply changes: This action will permanently remove the selected constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I tell if an object has constraints?
Objects with active constraints often display small icons or indicators. You can also check the Parametric tab to see the constraints listed under the respective object.

2. What happens if I disable constraints?
Disabling constraints allows for more flexibility in manipulating objects. However, it will stop enforcing the relationships or fixed positions defined by those constraints.

3. Can I restore deleted constraints?
Once constraints are deleted using the purge command, they cannot be restored unless you have a backup version of your drawing that includes them. It’s advisable to save versions of your files before making significant changes.