Chapter 11 Modifying Objects
317
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Stretching Stretching
The
STRETCH
command allows you to modify certain dimensions of an object
without changing other dimensions. In mechanical drafting, for example, you can
stretch a screw body to create a longer or shorter screw. In architectural design, you
can stretch room sizes to increase or decrease square footage.
Once you access the
STRETCH
command, you must use a crossing box, crossing
lasso, or crossing polygon to select only the objects to stretch. This is a very important
requirement and is different from object selection for other editing commands. See
Figure 11-23. If you select using the pick box or a window, the
STRETCH
command
works like the
MOVE
command, as described in Chapter 12.
After selecting the objects to stretch, specify the base point from which the
objects will stretch. Although the position of the base point is often not critical, you
may want to select a point on an object. For example, select the corner of a view or
the center of a circle. The selection stretches or compresses as you move the cross-
hairs. Specify a second point to complete the stretch. Preview the operation before
stretching.
PROFESSIONAL TIP P R OFESSIONAL TIP
Use object snap modes while editing. For example, to stretch a rectangle to make it
twice as long, use the
Endpoint
object snap to select the endpoint of the rectangle as
the base point, and another
Endpoint
object snap to select the opposite endpoint of the
rectangle as the second point.
Displacement Option
The
Displacement
option allows you to stretch objects relative to their current
location. To stretch using a displacement, access the
STRETCH
command and use
crossing selection to select only the objects to stretch. Then select the
Displacement
option instead of defi ning the base point. At the
Specify displacement 0,0,0:
prompt,
enter a coordinate or pick a point to specify the displacement. See Figure 11-24.
STRETCH
Ribbon
Home
Modify
Stretch
Type
STRETCH
S
base point: The
initial reference
point AutoCAD uses
when stretching,
moving, copying,
and scaling objects.
displacement:
The direction and
distance in which an
object moves.
Figure 11-23.
Using the
STRETCH
command to edit
specific dimensions.
Preview the
operation before
making the second
pick.
Select objects using
crossing selection
Option 1, 25-Gallon Tank
Stretching
Option 2, 50-Gallon Tank
Stretch to here
(endpoint)
Base
point