How Do You Change Area in AutoCAD?

by

AutoCAD is a powerful software used by architects, engineers, and designers for creating precise and detailed drawings. One of the fundamental tasks in AutoCAD is changing the area of an object or a group of objects. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to change the area in AutoCAD using various commands and techniques.

Method 1: Using the ‘Scale’ Command

The ‘Scale’ command in AutoCAD allows you to resize objects uniformly or non-uniformly. To change the area of an object using the ‘Scale’ command:

  1. Select the object(s) that you want to scale by clicking on them.
  2. Open the ‘Modify’ menu from the toolbar at the top and click on ‘Scale’, or simply type ‘SCALE’ in the command line and press Enter.
  3. A prompt will appear asking you to specify a base point for scaling. This point will act as a reference point for scaling.

    You can either choose an existing point on your drawing or specify coordinates for a new point.

  4. Next, you need to specify a scale factor. The scale factor determines how much you want to resize your objects. For example, if you enter a scale factor of 2, your objects will double in size; if you enter a scale factor of 0.5, your objects will be halved in size.
  5. Press Enter to apply the scaling operation.

Note: Keep in mind that when using the ‘Scale’ command, all dimensions of your objects will change proportionally, including length, width, and height if applicable.

Method 2: Using Grips

Grips are small squares or circles that appear around selected objects in AutoCAD. They allow you to make quick modifications to your objects by dragging them with the mouse. To change the area of an object using grips:

  1. Select the object(s) that you want to modify by clicking on them.
  2. Once selected, grips will appear around the object(s). Click on a grip and drag it inwards or outwards to resize the object(s).
  3. Release the mouse button when you are satisfied with the new size.

Note: Using grips is a convenient way to change the area of an object without entering specific scale factors. However, this method may not be suitable for precise resizing as it relies on manual adjustments.

Method 3: Using ‘Stretch’ Command

The ‘Stretch’ command in AutoCAD allows you to stretch objects within a specified boundary. To change the area of an object using the ‘Stretch’ command:

  1. Select the object(s) that you want to stretch by clicking on them.
  2. Open the ‘Modify’ menu from the toolbar at the top and click on ‘Stretch’, or simply type ‘STRETCH’ in the command line and press Enter.
  3. A prompt will appear asking you to specify a crossing selection or a window selection. This selection defines the boundary within which your objects can be stretched.
  4. Select a crossing selection by clicking and dragging across your objects, or select a window selection by clicking on two opposite corners of a rectangular window enclosing your objects.
  5. Click and drag one of the grips inside or outside of your selected boundary to stretch your objects accordingly.

Note: The ‘Stretch’ command allows you to resize objects within a specified boundary, making it a useful tool for changing the area of objects without affecting other nearby elements.

Conclusion

Changing the area of objects in AutoCAD is a crucial task for ensuring accurate drawings. In this tutorial, we explored three different methods: using the ‘Scale’ command, modifying grips, and utilizing the ‘Stretch’ command. Each method offers its own advantages and should be chosen based on your specific requirements.

By mastering these techniques, you will have greater control over the area of objects in AutoCAD, allowing you to create precise and professional drawings that meet your design specifications.