Set the Origin of the Clipboard

When working with a selection set (selecting multiple elements), a common operation that is performed is to copy (or cut) the selected elements to the clipboard. These elements are then pasted into the design for use in another location.

As the elements are pasted, the default “origin” of the paste is the center of the grouping of elements. This often leads to the elements then being manipulated again after being pasted back into the design.

How can the origin of the pasted elements be controlled?

There is an easy solution to this problem. Simply use a tentative snap to identify the desired origin before copying the selected elements to the clipboard. When the selection is then pasted into the design, the origin used will be the location provided by the tentative snap!

Set the origin of the clipboard:

1. Select the desired elements.
2. Tentative snap to the desired origin location (but do NOT accept the snap point).
3. Copy (or cut) the desired elements to the clipboard.
4. Open the desired destination DGN file and model (optional).
5. Paste the selection, observing that the origin point used by the paste operation is that of the tentative snap that was provided.

A pinned ribbon group will display the pin icon. The pinned group is now displayed, regardless of the active ribbon tab.