Formatted & External Objects

These are compound objects created inside the current drawing, or as externally created objects.

Groups

Format | Create Group

A Group is a compound object comprising a number of separate entities which are grouped together, either temporarily or permanently, for easier manipulation within a drawing.

Groups can only be used in the drawing in which they were created.

Groups can be named by activating Options > Auto Naming > Groups > Prompt for Name option.

Groups are informal ‘blocks’ and are not stored in the Blocks or Library Palettes. Neither can they be reinserted into the drawing using their name.

The objects which form a Group are restored to their constituent parts using Modify > Explode.

Worked Example

In the illustration below, the 4 objects which comprise the patio furniture are grouped together to create a Group.

Auto Naming

The Auto Naming facility has been activated and this group has been appropriately named, shown below.

Creating a Group

To create this Group, first select the objects, then select Format > Group.

The objects are then grouped together as a compound object, but all individual properties such as layer, color etc are maintained.

Exploding a Group

To return the group to its original, separate components, select the Group, then use Format | Explode.