Help Database

To create an Edit Area Polyline

1. Select CAD> Lines> Draw Line and then click and drag in floor plan view to create a series of connected lines to define a selection area.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • In this example, the CAD lines are displayed as thick blue lines.
     
     
   • You may find it helpful to turn off Object Snaps while drawing your CAD lines so you do not snap to objects in the drawing.
     
     
   • For illustrative purposes, the display of roof planes has been turned off in the Layer Display Options dialog. 
     
     
     
2. A similar method uses a rectangular polyline. Select CAD> Boxes & Framing> Rectangular Polyline , and then click and drag in floor plan view to create a closed rectangular polyline.  Like an Edit Area marquee, it's edges are parallel to the sides of the view window; unlike the marquee, however, a polyline can be selected and repositioned:
   
   
   • Click on the triangular Rotate edit handle and rotate the polyline to the correct angle; or,
     
     
   • Use the Transform/Replicate Object edit tool to open the Transform/Replicate Object dialog. Place a check in the box beside Rotate, and then specify the angle in degrees to rotate the polyline.
     
     
     
3. If the Edit Area Polyline continues to select undesired portions of the plan, it can be edited using the edit handles. Click on the polyline near an edge to select it and display its edit handles.
   
   
   • Click and drag a square resize handle located along any edge to increase or decrease the polyline's size.
     
     
   • Click and drag a diamong-shaped reshape handle located at each corner to modify the shape of the rectangle.
     
     
   • Click and drag the square Move handle located at the polyline's center to move the entire polyline without changing its size or shape.
     
     
   • Click and drag the triangular Rotate edit handle to rotate the entire polyline without otherwise changing its size or shape.
     
     
     
4. If you need to create a selection marquee with more than four sides, select it and then click the Break Line edit tool.   
   
   
   
   
   • Click on the polyline at a locations where you would like to create a new corner, and then use the edit handles to modify the shape of the polyline.
     
     
     
5. If you plan to move objects on more than one floor, use the Reference Display to make sure only the appropriate objects on other floors are selected by the Edit Area Polyline.



6. Before continuing, it is a good idea to make and save a copy of the plan file. The Edit Area tools can be used to make wide-reaching changes to your plan, and if a mistake is made, it may be difficult or impossible to restore the plan to its previous state.
   
   
   • Select File> Save As  from the menu.
     
     
   • In the Save Plan File dialog, type a short, descriptive name for your copy - for example, by adding the words Edit Area to the end of the file name.
     
     
     

To use Edit Area to move part of a drawing

1. When the Edit Area Polyline is sized and positioned precisely around the area of the plan that you want it to select, click on it and then select Edit> Edit Area> to display the Edit Area submenu. There are four options:  
   
   
   • Edit Area - selects all objects in the selection box, displayed or not, located on the current floor.  
     
     
   • Edit Area Visible - selects all visible objects on the current floor but ignores those that are not displayed.
     
     
   • Edit Area (All Floors) - selects all objects in the selection box, displayed or not, located on all floors.
     
     
   • Edit Area (All Floors) Visible - selects all visible objects located on all floors but ignores those that are not displayed. 
     
     
     
2. In this example, Edit Area (All Floors) will be used. Select the Edit Area (All Floors) tool to activate, and the selection box temporarily displays as a dashed line.
   
   
   
3. Because the selection box will be moved a relatively small distance to a precise new location, the Accurate Move edit tool is can be used.
   
   
   
4. Place your cursor over the Move handle that displays in the center of the Edit Area Polyline, notice that it turns into a four-headed arrow .
   
   
   
5. Click and drag the edit area in the desired direction. Notice the direction arrow that radiates from the Move handle, indicated the direction of movement.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Notice, too, that the distance that the selection box has been moved displays in the Status Bar at the bottom of the window.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. When the Edit Area Polyline is in the proper location, release the mouse. All of the furniture, decorative items, landscape features and plants in the selection area have been moved as one unit, and their positions relative to one another remain the same.
   
   

Any objects that were partially enclosed by the selection box, such as walls or furnishings, are stretched as part of them remains in place while the rest is moved. Other objects, such as roof planes, may need readjustment, as well.