COPYCLIP & COPYBASE Commands in AutoCAD

How to copy objects between drawings with or without a defined base point

AutoCAD offers several ways to duplicate objects, but when you need to move geometry between drawings, the Clipboard commands come into play. Two of the most useful are COPYCLIP and COPYBASE.

Both copy selected objects to the Windows Clipboard so they can be pasted into the same or another drawing, but they differ in one key way: COPYBASE lets you specify a base point for precise placement when you paste.

Summary Table

Summary table comparing COPYCLIP and COPYBASE command features.

Command	COPYCLIP	COPYBASE
Purpose	Copy selected objects to the Clipboard	Copy objects to the Clipboard with a defined base point
Command line	COPYCLIP	COPYBASE
Keyboard shortcut	Ctrl + C	Ctrl + Shift + C
Ribbon location	Home → Clipboard → Copy	Home → Clipboard → Copy with Base Point
When to use	For quick copy-and-paste between drawings	For precise placement when pasting
Paired with	PASTECLIP	PASTECLIP or PASTEBLOCK

Overview — Clipboard Tools in AutoCAD

AutoCAD’s Clipboard commands connect your drawing workspace to the Windows Clipboard, allowing you to move selected geometry between open drawings or even between AutoCAD and other programs that support vector data.

Unlike the standard COPY command, which duplicates objects only within the current drawing, these tools temporarily store your selection in memory for reuse elsewhere.

Clipboard transfers are especially handy for:

• Copying details, blocks, or symbols into new projects.
• Assembling title sheets from multiple sources.
• Building libraries of standard components.

The most common pair is COPYCLIP (quick copy) and COPYBASE (copy with reference point). You’ll typically paste the results with PASTECLIP or PASTEBLOCK.

COPYCLIP copies objects quickly, while COPYBASE adds a base point for precise placement.

COPYCLIP Command Access

Purpose

The COPYCLIP command quickly copies selected objects to the Windows Clipboard so they can be pasted into the same or another drawing. It’s the digital equivalent of “Ctrl + C” in most programs, but works with AutoCAD entities instead of text or images.

How COPYCLIP Works

1. Launch the command (COPYCLIP or press Ctrl + C).
2. Select the objects you want to copy.
3. Press Enter to finish.
4. AutoCAD copies the selected geometry to the Clipboard.
5. Switch to your target drawing and use PASTECLIP to insert it.

Unlike COPYBASE, COPYCLIP does not ask for a base point. AutoCAD instead stores object coordinates relative to the origin (0,0). When you paste into another drawing, the geometry appears in the same coordinate position as the original unless you specify a new insertion point.

Use COPYCLIP to copy selected objects quickly to the Windows Clipboard.

When to Use COPYCLIP

Use COPYCLIP when:

• You need to move geometry between drawings quickly without worrying about precise alignment.
• You’re transferring independent elements like text, blocks, or annotations.
• You simply need to paste something into an email or another AutoCAD instance.

Because it doesn’t ask for a base point, COPYCLIP is perfect for fast, one-off transfers or when pasting into a drawing with the same origin.

Example — Copying a Title Block Between Drawings

1. Open Drawing A (containing your title block).
2. Type COPYCLIP and press Enter.
3. Select the title block geometry.
4. Press Enter to complete the selection.
5. Open Drawing B and type PASTECLIP.
6. Specify a new insertion point or press Enter to place at the original coordinates.

Your title block is now copied into the new drawing — no extra setup required.

COPYCLIP transfers objects to another drawing without defining a base point.

COPYBASE Command Access

Purpose

The COPYBASE command performs the same general function as COPYCLIP — copying selected objects to the Windows Clipboard — but adds one crucial feature: you specify a base point before selecting the objects.

That base point acts as an insertion reference when the geometry is pasted into the target drawing. It’s the precise way to align content between drawings.

How COPYBASE Works

1. Launch the command by typing COPYBASE.
2. Specify the base point — this will be used later as the insertion point when pasting.
3. Select the objects you want to copy.
4. Press Enter to complete.
5. Switch to your target drawing and use PASTECLIP or PASTEBLOCK.
6. When prompted, specify where the base point should land in the new drawing.

By defining a base point, you ensure the copied objects insert exactly where you expect — perfectly aligned, with no trial-and-error placement.

COPYBASE prompts for a base point before object selection.

When to Use COPYBASE

Use COPYBASE whenever alignment or precision matters, such as:

• Copying details that must line up with other drawings.
• Transferring geometry between floor plans, elevations, or sections.
• Inserting repeated elements that need to maintain orientation and scale.
• Creating a consistent insertion base for blocks or title sheets.

COPYBASE is especially powerful in large projects where multiple drawings share the same coordinate system — such as civil or structural plans — because it ensures everything aligns exactly between files.

COPYBASE ensures geometry aligns perfectly across drawings.

Example — Copying Geometry with a Defined Base Point

Let’s say you’ve drawn a mechanical detail in one drawing and want to reuse it in another file.

1. Type COPYBASE and press Enter.
2. Click the upper-left corner of the detail as your base point.
3. Select all geometry in the detail.
4. Press Enter to complete the command.
5. Open the target drawing.
6. Type PASTECLIP and press Enter.
7. When prompted for the insertion point, click the same lower-left corner location — the detail drops in perfectly aligned.

Use COPYBASE to transfer geometry that must maintain alignment.

COPYCLIP vs. COPYBASE — What’s the Difference?

Both commands copy selected objects to the Windows Clipboard, but the key distinction is whether a base point is defined.

That single difference determines whether the geometry pastes freely or with exact alignment.

COPYCLIP vs COPYBASE Comparison

Feature	COPYCLIP	COPYBASE
Base Point Prompt	❌ No	✅ Yes
Alignment Accuracy	Depends on original coordinates	Controlled by user-defined base point
Ease of Use	Faster – one step	Slightly slower – requires a base point
Best For	Quick transfers	Precise placement
Typical Use Case	Copying annotations, symbols, or details between similar drawings	Copying geometry that must align perfectly across projects
Paired Paste Command	PASTECLIP	PASTECLIP or PASTEBLOCK
Default Shortcut	Ctrl + C	Ctrl + Shift + C

COPYCLIP is faster; COPYBASE is more precise.

Tips, Pitfalls, and Best Practices

Tips for Better Results

• Use COPYBASE when coordinate accuracy matters.
• Double-check units between files.
• Keep UCS consistency.
• Zoom Extents after pasting.
• Combine with PASTEBLOCK for reusable content.

Common Pitfalls

• Forgetting to pick a logical base point in COPYBASE.
• Assuming COPYCLIP remembers insertion points.
• Copying too much at once.
• Using COPYCLIP between drawings with different origins.
• Mixing Paper Space and Model Space.

Always pick a logical base point for predictable pasting.

Related Commands

Clipboard Work Flow Related AutoCAD Commands

Command	Function	Use Case
PASTECLIP	Pastes objects from the Windows Clipboard	Use after COPYCLIP or COPYBASE
PASTEBLOCK	Pastes Clipboard contents as a new block	Ideal for reusable geometry
CUTCLIP	Cuts selected objects to the Clipboard	Moves objects between drawings
CUTBASE	Cuts with a defined base point	Moves geometry precisely with alignment
COPY	Copies objects within the same drawing	For internal duplication only

Both COPYCLIP and COPYBASE paste via PASTECLIP or PASTEBLOCK; COPYBASE includes a base point.

Summary / Quick Reference

COPYCLIP = Quick Copy. COPYBASE = Precise Copy.

COPYCLIP = Quick Copy. COPYBASE = Precise Copy.

Task	Recommended Command	Why
Move a few annotations between open drawings	COPYCLIP	Fast, no setup required
Transfer details that must align with other geometry	COPYBASE	Uses a base point for precision
Build reusable standard parts	COPYBASE → PASTEBLOCK	Creates a block from clipboard data
Send geometry to another program	COPYCLIP	Works with Windows Clipboard
Cut and realign objects instead of copying	CUTBASE	Removes and re-inserts precisely

COPYCLIP for speed, COPYBASE for precision — both part of the Clipboard workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs