Newbie wants to edit but can only select the whole drawing

[ringo]

Hi,

Please excuse this total numpty question.

I need to edit an autocad (i use 2004) drawing that has been sent to me. I only need to do some simple things but have hit a stummbling block due to the fact that i can only select the whole drawing and not individual items.

In the noddy programs i normally use, i would select the object and apply "ungroup" to it so that i can edit it.

I have done a search on "ungroup" but dont think that is what i need. (it didnt work either!).

Can anyone help ?

Thanks in advance.

Ringo

[CADTutor]

Welcome ringo. Most likely, you are dealing with a "block" rather than a group. In AutoCAD, blocks can be Exploded in order to return them to their constituent parts. You'll find a "stick of dynamite" button on the Modify toolbar.

Try that first and get back to us. There are other possibilities but this is the most likely.

[ringo]

Thanks for the kind welcome! No luck im afraid.

I have selected the only thing on the drawing that i can (its a border around a site plan - when i select it and got modify->erase, the whole drawing disapears) and then hit the stick of dynamite on the modify button.

Nothing happens.

In the command window it says:

_explode 0 found
1 was not able to be exploded.
Select objects:

[CADTutor]

OK, with more information I can make a better guess. You must be in Paper Space and the border you see is the viewport border. You can confirm this by looking at the tabs at the bottom-left of the screen. Your currently selected tab may say "Layout1". If that is the case, click the tab that says "Model". That takes you to Model Space where you should be able to edit your drawing.

[ringo]

yes you are right. I was on the tab that said layout1

I have switched to the model tab and done a view->zoom->all and now i can see it AND modify it!!

Brilliant.

Incidentally, is the layout view just for plotting ?

Thanks very much

Ringo

[CADTutor]

Incidentally, is the layout view just for plotting ?

Yes, your drawing is dome in model space and then you setup a paper space layout in order to arrange your drawing sheet. Title blocks and annotation are often drawn in paper space prior to plotting. The viewports are just views back into model space.