Scale

Alias: S C

Enlarges or reduces selected objects by a scale factor relative to a base point.

---

Description

The Scale command resizes selected objects uniformly in both X and Y relative to a specified base point. The scale factor can be entered as a number, derived from a picked point distance, or calculated using a Reference length and a new target length.

Workflow

Select-first method (recommended):

1. Select the objects you want to scale.

2. Type S C and press Space or Enter.

3. Specify base point: Click the point that will remain fixed during scaling.

4. Specify scale factor [Reference]: Enter a numeric factor (e.g. 2 to double, 0.5 to halve) or type R to use the Reference method.

Command-first method:

1. Type S C and press Space or Enter.

2. Select objects: Click the objects, then press Enter.

3. Specify base point: Click the fixed point.

4. Specify scale factor [Reference]: Enter a factor or R for Reference.

Reference method

The Reference option lets you scale objects to a precise size by specifying an existing length and a new target length:

1. At the scale factor prompt, type R and press Enter.

2. Specify reference length: Pick two points that define the current size, or type the known length.

3. Specify new length: Pick a point to set the new size, or type the target length.

The command calculates the factor automatically as new length ÷ reference length.

Tips

• A factor greater than 1 enlarges objects; a factor less than 1 reduces them.

• Choose the base point carefully — objects are scaled away from it, so picking a corner, centre, or endpoint gives predictable results.

• Use the Reference method when you know the desired final size but not the exact scale factor.

• Scale operates in-place, modifying the selected objects directly, unlike Copy.

See Also

Move | Rotate | Copy