MET

Manual / Modify

GROUP, UNGROUP and GROUPEDIT

Group objects (GROUP), ungroup them (UNGROUP) and add or remove members (GROUPEDIT).

What it does

A group lets one click select every object in the group, without creating a block definition.

Command Alias Meaning
GROUP G Combines the selected objects (at least 2) into a group.
UNGROUP UNG Ungroups the selected group.
GROUPEDIT GROUPED GROUPEDIT Add adds the selected objects to the group. GROUPEDIT Remove removes the selected objects from it.

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Draw › Groups › Group / Ungroup
  • Right-click the selected objects › Group (Block) / Ungroup (Explode)

Steps

  1. Type G and press Enter. The prompt reads GROUP: window the objects, then press Enter.
  2. Drag a window around the objects, then press Enter.
  3. Click any one of them. The whole group is selected.

Clicking the plate edge selects the whole group
Clicking the plate edge selects the whole group

Try it: Wooden puzzle box panels

Three panels for a small puzzle box: the base, an end panel and a lid with a finger hole and a key slot. GROUP keeps the lid's pieces together, so one click moves all of them.

  1. Base: REC, 0,0, @80,80, Esc. End panel: REC, 0,90, @80,50, Esc. Lid: REC, 200,0, @80,80, Esc.
  2. Finger hole: C, 240,40, 8, Esc. Key slot: REC, 230,60, @20,4, Esc.
  3. Type G and press Enter. Drag a window around the lid (from 195,-5 to 285,85) and press Enter.
  4. Click the edge of the lid. The outline, the hole and the slot are all selected.
  5. Type M and press Enter. Type the base point 200,0, then the destination @-110,0. The whole lid moves next to the base, ready to nest on the sheet.

Base, end panel and grouped lid lined up for cutting
Base, end panel and grouped lid lined up for cutting

Challenge: Type UNG with the lid selected to ungroup it, then move only the key slot 10 mm higher.

See also