Re-scaling blocks using reference

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Is there a quick way to resize a block using "reference", without having to enter the existing length of the object, before entering the desired length? If you've selected the item, would it not already know the current length? It feels a bit cumbersome having to note the current length before resizing to the length I want (and then for example, if you leave off a decimal part of the current length, it won't resize to the size I'm after). I understand that this is a scale tool and so the scale needs to be relative to something, but wondered if there is an easier way to do this. I know there is also "scale factor" but this looks more tricky for an AutoCAD beginner (me) to get my head around. 

Thanks!

[maxim_k]

Hi Shanna,

Why the SCALE command with "Reference" option is not suitable for you?
You don't need to "note" current length, you can specify existing length directly inside SCALE command:
http://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDMAC/2020/ENU/?guid=GUID-FFFC1EDA-65CB-413B-9CCB-C38EBA0294B5

[Anonymous]

Thanks Maxim, I thought I had to type in the existing length but I've realised I don't need to do this. I'm now trying to figure out how I turn off the uniform scale - I just want to change the length of an object but not the width. When I scale by reference, I'm entering my desired length, but it is also changing the width. Is there a way to keep this fixed? Thank you

[maxim_k]

You can apply non-uniform scale only to blocks by changing their X and Y scale factors in Properties Inspector. Standard SCALE command doesn't have an option for non-uniform scale.

[Anonymous]

Hi Maxim,

I still don't seem to be able to figure this out unfortunately.. when I select my block (dining table and chairs in the attached) and display the properties, it doesn't show me the X and Y factors. When I select scale and then look at properties, it only shows me the X and Y insertion points. The block is currently 3267 x 5042. If I want to resize this to specific dimensions (1000x1900), what is essentially the easiest way for me to do this? 

Thank you

 

 

[maxim_k]

Hi Shanna,

>>>>> when I select my block (dining table and chairs in the attached) and display the properties, it doesn't show me the X and Y factors.

In order to be able to see all block properties, you need to switch from "My" to "All" properties:

Plus the block itself shouldn't have "Scale uniformly" option enabled- you can check this in Block Editor< when you edit your block:

[Anonymous]

Thanks Maxim. I've gone to "all" in properties and can now see the scale factors for X, Y and Z. I can see that changing these fields is straight forward if I wanted to halve, double, increase the size of the object by 1.5, etc. However is there nowhere within properties to show the existing dimensions of the object, and for me to manually type or add in the new desired dimensions? Or is there anywhere within Autocad to be able to do this, whether it be for a single object or a block? I'm not sure using scale factor is going to work for me, unless increasing by one of the obvious scale factors I've mentioned. 

Thank you

[maxim_k]

Hi Shanna,

In order to be able to control block dimensions with X and Y scale in Properties palette, you need to create 1x1 unit block, then X and Y values will be actual sizes of block insertion.
Another way to control block dimensions is to create Dynamic block with parametric dimensions.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@maxim_k wrote:
.... Standard SCALE command doesn't have an option for non-uniform scale.

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NOT TRUE.  Provided the Block is not defined for uniform scaling, you can specify each scale factor independently, inside the Insert command, either in the dialog box's scale factor slots, or after you've said OK there, using these options:

But yes, if you want the scale factor to be the size, then the Block must be defined as a 1-unit-x-1-unit shape.  The information that AutoCAD stores about a Block insertion does not contain anything about its effective size, only its scale factors.

[maxim_k]

@Kent1Cooper 

When I wrote "Standard SCALE command doesn't have an option for non-uniform scale.", I meant this:

and not INSERT command.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@maxim_k wrote:

@Kent1Cooper 

When I wrote "Standard SCALE command doesn't have an option for non-uniform scale.", I meant this: .... and not INSERT command.

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Sorry -- over-hasty reading.

There are routines out there to scale things non-uniformly, such as in one coordinate direction only, but they involve putting whatever they are in a Block, changing the scale factors, then Exploding the Block, which seems like overkill if you're talking about a Block already.

One thing you can do is to take note of the current scale factors in the coordinate directions you don't want to change, Scale using the Reference option for the direction you do want to change, then put the original scale factors back into the other coordinate directions in Properties.