Eraser Tool

Use the Eraser Tool to delete entities. The Eraser Tool can also be used to hide and soften edges. Activate the Eraser Tool from the Principal Toolbar, or by selecting Eraser from the Tools menu.

Keyboard Shortcut: E

Erasing Entities

As mentioned previously, the Eraser Tool is used to erase entities in the drawing area. Note, the Eraser Tool does not allow you to erase faces (faces are erased after their bounding edges are erased). To erase entities:

1. Select the Eraser Tool. The cursor changes to an eraser with a small box.
2. Click on an entity to erase it. Alternatively, erase several entities at once by holding down the mouse button and dragging it over several entities to be erased. All selected geometry will be erased once you release the mouse button.

If you accidentally select geometry you do not wish to delete, press the Esc key to cancel the erase operation before it deletes your selection.

Tip - Try erasing entities slowly if you continuously skip over entities you want to erase.

Tip - It is usually faster to erase a large number of entities by selecting the entities with the Select Tool and pressing the Delete key on your keyboard. You can also delete selected items by selecting Erase from the Edit menu.

Hiding Lines

Press and hold the Shift key and use the Eraser Tool to hide lines (instead of erasing lines).

Softening/Unsoftening Edges

Press and hold the Ctrl key to soften/smooth edges (instead of erasing entities). Press and hold the Shift and Ctrl keys simultaneously to unsoften/unsmooth edges.