Move and Copy
Press M to activate the Move tool. Click and drag to move interactively, or enter exact distances in the tool panel.
Move and CopyThe Move and Copy tools let you reposition or duplicate one or more objects either interactively with a drag or with precise numeric offsets. Move relocates the selection, while Copy leaves the original untouched and creates a new object at the specified offset. Both tools share the same two-field panel — X Distance and Y Distance — and support a custom base point for snapping to a specific corner or anchor. Use them together with the duplicate shortcut and clipboard paste to build layouts quickly and consistently.
Copy
The Copy tool works identically to Move but places a copy instead of moving the original. Use Ctrl+D to duplicate in place, or Ctrl+C then Ctrl+V to copy and paste.
Activate the Move tool
Press M or click the Move icon in the modification toolbar. The tool sidebar opens showing two fields: X Distance (horizontal offset) and Y Distance (vertical offset). The base point defaults to the center of the selection bounding box.
Drag to move interactively
Click and drag the selection to its new position on the canvas. Snap indicators appear as you drag, letting you align to grid points, object edges, or midpoints. Release the mouse button to confirm the move. Press Escape at any time to cancel and return the selection to its original position.
Set a custom base point for precise snapping
Hold Alt and click a specific point on or near the selection — such as a corner, an endpoint, or a snap indicator — to set a custom base point. The tool then moves the selection so that chosen point lands exactly where you release the mouse or confirm the operation, rather than using the selection center.
Enter exact X and Y distances
Type a value into the X Distance field to shift the selection horizontally, and into Y Distance to shift it vertically. Positive X moves right; positive Y moves up in plan view. Enter negative values to go left or down. Values are interpreted in your current unit system (metric or imperial). Click Apply to execute the move.
Copy instead of move
Switch to the Copy tool from the toolbar (it sits alongside Move). The panel looks identical — X Offset and Y Offset — but instead of relocating the original, Copy places a new object at the specified offset and leaves the original exactly where it was. Drag or type exact offsets, then click Apply to drop the copy.
Duplicate in place or use clipboard shortcuts
Press Ctrl+D (Mac: Cmd+D) to duplicate the selection in place without opening either tool — the copy lands directly on top of the original, ready to drag aside. Use Ctrl+C then Ctrl+V (Mac: Cmd+C / Cmd+V) to copy to the clipboard and paste; the paste lands at a slight offset so both objects are immediately visible.
Hold Alt and click to set a custom base point before you drag. This is especially useful when you need a specific corner of a patio, fence panel, or raised bed to snap precisely to an adjacent object or a grid intersection.
Select multiple objects before moving to reposition an entire garden section — plants, hardscape, and lighting together — while preserving their relative positions. The move applies to the group as a unit.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| M | Move tool |
| Ctrl+D / Cmd+D | Duplicate in place |
| Ctrl+C / Cmd+C | Copy to clipboard |
| Ctrl+V / Cmd+V | Paste from clipboard |
| Escape | Cancel / reset |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing happens when I drag. Why?
You need at least one object selected before the Move tool does anything. Select an object first — click it or drag a selection rectangle — then press M and drag. The Apply button will also be disabled if there is no selection.
Which direction is positive for X and Y?
Positive X Distance moves the selection to the right; positive Y Distance moves it up in plan view. Use negative values to move left or down. This matches standard 2D coordinate conventions.
What is the difference between Copy and Ctrl+D (duplicate)?
The Copy tool places a new object at a specific X/Y offset you define — useful when you need it exactly 2 m to the right, for example. Ctrl+D duplicates in place on top of the original with no offset, which is faster when you just want a second copy to drag manually afterwards.
Can I move objects in locked layers?
No. Objects on locked layers do not receive pointer events and cannot be selected, so they cannot be moved or copied. Unlock the layer first in the Layers panel, then perform the operation.
How do I move objects in repeatable fixed steps?
Enter the exact step size in the X Distance and Y Distance fields, click Apply, and then repeat the operation. Each Apply commits the same delta, so you get consistent spacing. For creating evenly spaced repeating elements across a long path, consider the Array tools instead.