“Stretch” catch-all single-step contextual command for 2D drafting missing in Revit

[octavio2]

When we do details in a Drafting View, it seems that the “Stretch” command in the “Modify” group is missing or non-existent.  I am referring to a “stretch” catch-all command similar to the one in AutoCAD which will allow us to stretch more than one component or part of non-aligned components using a Crossing Window and stretch them in the 2D drawing all at the same time in a single step.

For example, when we draw the section of a base cabinet, we draw one regular drawer 6 inches high at the top, which we can copy down two more times to be regular 6 inches drawers, and then we copy it one more time down to be the bottom drawer but which we want to be a file drawer which is “higher” than the regular 6 inches drawers.  After copying and placing it, the bottom components of that last copied drawer cannot be stretched down  to make it the higher file drawer (i.e., the bottom components cannot be stretched by using a crossing window).  Similarly, if instead we copied the 6 inch drawer all the way down so the bottom of that last drawer is at the bottom (above the particle board component which is just above the 4 inch kick space), in which case then we will need to stretch the top of that drawer (drawn in section) up so it is higher than the regular 6 inch drawer and it becomes the higher file drawer, I am not aware of a command to do the stretching of all the components at the same time. 

Components can be moved individually by picking individual grips or moving then one by one, which is tedious, but not a group can be selected using a Crossing Window.

In this situation, what command we can use to stretch many of the components at the top or bottom of the cabinet section at the same time?

Thanks in advance.

[Alfredo_Medina]

Use Trim/Extend Multiple (# 1 below). Select an edge to trim or extend, and then make a crossing window to select the lines that will be extended or trimmed.

The Align tool (#2) can do the same result, if you align a lower edge to another, all the lines that were connected to that line, will extend. In this case you won't use a crossing window, simply select Align this to that.

The Move tool (#3) works in a similar way when the Disjoin option is off.

[octavio2]

Hi Alfredo:

I tried to "stretch" the upper parts all at the same time of the bottom drawer as drawn on the attached Drafting View, using each of the 3 steps, but they did not work when I tried.  I did it quickly, maybe or it is possible that I am missing something or missing an important step.

Thanks in advance again.

(If you are busy, don't worry, this is not a big deal, just curious and I will re-review the steps later on).

Note:  The original steps to draw this cabinet section were from Daniel John Stine’s Design Integration Using Autodesk Revit 2020, which I am re-reading (since I also read a previous version, and all are very good and informative).  The instructions to draw the cabinet are on pages 10-49 thru 10-52 of that book, and drawing it is how I discovered an issue with what appears to be a missing “Stretch” catch-all/single-step contextual command which could have been useful if included in Revit for drafting situations like this one. 

[Alfredo_Medina]

The two detail items on both side of the bottom drawer can stretch with the Trim/Extend Multipe tool using a crossing window to select them. The line between them is not going to move up becuase is horizontal. That line needs to be moved or aligned.

[barthbradley]

Constrain elements to Ref. Plane and stretch Ref. Plane. 

You could do it as fully parametric loadable Detail family as well.  Maybe that would be the way to go if this isn't a one-off thing.    

[ToanDN]

If you use detail / symbolic lines instead of filled / masking regions then you can just select the horizontal lines and move them to where you want and all vertical lines will stretch along. 

If you use filled / masking regions then constrain the boundary line to a ref plane or to a symbolic / detail line (with a locked dimension) then they will stretch when you move the ref plane or line.

[octavio2]

Barthbradley, you instructions worked with the Trim/Extend Multiple Elements but required to create a few ref planes and then dimensions/constrainings too, which added steps (some of them performed in a trial-and-error method and if they did not work, added more additional steps).  I did not constrain the handle, which would have required additional dimensioning and constraining, so I just deleted the original handle and copied one of the above so it will end at same distance from the top of the drawer as the others. 

Elements can be moved individually, which also will be implying many steps to get the solution.  That is what I did originally and began to wonder and inquire if the simpler command was available.

The name of this thread is better to include the words "catch-all" and "single-step" since that is what the missing command can do in a contextual 2D drawing (contextual since it is used only with 2Ds).

Thanks to all the correspondents and your responses.  Very informative all the answers.

[barthbradley]

Yah, I get the gist of your question.  You want a Stretch Command in Revit like the one in AutoCAD.  It's been requested for as long as I can remember.  I'll even bet you, without looking, that there's a new request for it right now on the Idea Forum.    😉 

FWIW: You could Group the drawer handle linework to "stretch" it as a unit. 

[mhiserZFHXS]

You need to stop thinking of Revit like Autocad. All of these "extra steps" provide more stable and accurate models. You breaking a family because you don't want to take the time to do things correctly is not a valid solution, and is just going to cost you more time in the future.

I have never needed a "stretch" tool in Revit. I can't even remember using the "scale" tool that is available. As has already been mentioned, there are other ways to do this that create more accurate model elements.