How to Copy Entities in BricsCAD

Quick answer: COPY duplicates entities within the current drawing, by default using a selection, a base point, and a second point, or a direction vector. COPYMODE controls whether it creates multiple copies or just one. Unlike CUTCLIP (covered on this hub’s Moving Entities page, which erases the source), COPYCLIP copies entities to the clipboard without removing them, ready to paste with PASTECLIP or PASTEBLOCK. With DRAGSNAP on, dragged entities display at the current entity snap location.

General Procedure

1. Launch COPY. You’re prompted to select entities to copy.
2. Select one; the count of entities in the set displays.
3. You’re prompted to select more (the current copy mode, Multiple, displays), then for a base point, or to choose Displacement or mOde.
4. Specify a point; the copy moves dynamically. You’re prompted for a second point, or to use the base point as the displacement, or choose Array.
5. Specify a point; the first copy is created, and a second copy preview moves dynamically. You’re prompted for another second point, or to choose Undo, Array, Repeat, or Exit.
6. Keep specifying points to create more copies, or press Enter to stop.

Using the Repeat Option

1. Follow the general procedure through step 5 above; you’re prompted for a second point, or Undo, Array, Repeat, or Exit.
2. Choose Repeat; copies now appear at regular intervals as you move the cursor. You’re prompted to select an end point, or press Enter to type a number of repeats instead.
3. Either click when the desired number of copies displays, or press Enter and type the number of repeats you want.

Using the Array Option

1. Follow the general procedure through step 4 above; you’re prompted for a second point, to use the base point as displacement, or choose Array.
2. Choose Array; you’re prompted for the number of items to array.
3. Specify a number; the array displays dynamically. You’re prompted for a second point, or to choose Fit.
4. Either specify a point to set the distance between each item, or choose Fit and specify a point to set the distance between the first and last item instead.
5. Keep creating copies, or press Enter to stop.

Copying a Selection as a Block

1. Select the entities you want to copy as a block.
2. Launch COPYBASE. You’re prompted to select a base point.
3. Specify a point; the selected count displays.
4. Optionally switch to another drawing.
5. Launch PASTEBLOCK. You’re prompted for an insertion point.
6. Specify a point; the selection pastes as a block.
7. Optionally run EXPBLOCKS to rename the block in the Drawing Explorer’s Blocks dialog.

Copying Entities Between Drawings

Four combinations, each producing a different result:

• COPYCLIP + PASTECLIP: copies using a default base point.
• COPYCLIP + PASTEORIG: copies using the source drawing’s own coordinates.
• COPYBASE + PASTECLIP: copies using a base point you define yourself.
• COPYBASE + PASTEBLOCK: copies as a block in the target drawing.

With either PASTECLIP combination, pressing Enter at the “Specify insertion point” prompt pastes using the source drawing’s coordinates instead, the equivalent of using PASTEORIG.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between COPYCLIP and CUTCLIP? COPYCLIP copies entities to the clipboard without removing them from the source drawing. CUTCLIP, covered on this hub’s Moving Entities page, erases them from the source after copying.

How do I copy a selection using a base point I choose myself, rather than a default one? Use COPYBASE instead of COPYCLIP, which lets you specify the base point directly.

Can I get PASTEORIG’s exact-coordinates behaviour without running that command directly? Yes, press Enter at the “Specify insertion point” prompt after PASTECLIP, which pastes at the source drawing’s coordinates, the same result as PASTEORIG.

What’s the difference between the Repeat and Array options while copying? Repeat creates copies at regular intervals as you move the cursor, letting you click or type the exact number you want. Array lets you specify the number of items first, then define spacing either directly or by fitting between a first and last point.