Let’s say that you download an AutoCAD block like the table as seen below. When you open the block, you notice that it is not scaled correctly. Let’s also say that you want to scale it to a certain length.
In the example below, I have a block of a table. I opened it in the block editor and now I am going to Scale the block so that its length is 6 feet long. I don’t actually need to know the current length of the block. I just need to make a line that is the length that I want the table to be. I made this line at an angle to show you that the reference does not need to be in line with the table.
Here’s the steps:
(Note: this tip works in all workspaces like modelspace and paperspace. I used the block editor in this example instead of exploding the block.)
- SCALE <enter> (or SC <enter>) to start the SCALE command.
- Select the objects that you want to scale
- <enter> when finished selecting
- Specify a base point
- R <enter> to use the “Reference” option
- Pick 2 points on the object that is going to be scaled that you want to be scaled to the desired length.
- P <enter> to use the “Points” option
- Pick 2 points that establish the final length. In the example picture, I picked the diagonal line that is six feet long.
After the second point is picked, the table is scaled to the desired length. I then deleted the reference line.
The first 2 points that you pick establish the “before” length (reference) and the last 2 points that you pick scale the first 2 points picked.
AutoCAD Tips 
thx a lot..it really helped! :)
Thank you for this tutorial, really clearly explained and the diagram at the bottom is great. Saved me hours of fumbling around.
very good !! helped a lot and it’s clear!! thanks !!
Awesssssssommmmme!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! :D **
really thanks it is more help to me…
how to set, paper unit should shows 1″ but messuring unit should shows 1′ in a drawing.
Finally, my problem is solved :)
Thanks.
thanks, helped a lot!
10x a lot
Thanks! Needed this! :D
Thanks Bro…..
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Many many thanks to all who do this type of great job.
i have a big size blocks and it’s make my computer very slow,,how i can make resize for it? ,for example i have block with 5 Mpa how i can make it more small?
It depends on where the blocks came from. Some block (drawings) are really just that large in file size. But if it seems like too much for a particular block it could be that there is DGN (microstation) data that is bloating your blocks. See this post on how to purge this data with AutoCAD 2015 https://autocadtips.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/autocad-2015-purge-dgn-junk/
I would also recommend that you use these free plugins from the Autodesk app store:
https://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3adrawingpurge_windows32and64%3aen
https://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3aradicalpurge_windows32and64%3aen
Thaaaaaaank Yooou <3
YAAASSSSS! thanks a bunch. this really helped
Great tip Thanks!!!
Thanx a lot
Very good, I know it could be made, but how.
Thanks again !!!
thnk you
In previous Autocad editions you could scale the whole job by reference. Simply old dimension then clicking on new dimension lengths. This would be great for importing jobs from others that were drawing on weird scales. That is not working for me on 2015?? The scale is going way smaller than desired new reference lengths?? Hard to explain, but is antone else having this problem??
thnk u sooo much…. it helped n i learnt it
Is there any way to run Scale>reference instantly by the use of an alias? (for example: type “sr” in command line and directly determine the reference distance to scale an object)
Is it possible to make an alias for a combination of commands and there options?
Sir,
hoping you’ll be fine would you please tell me that how can i match the scale of two diffrent drawings , let suppose i have a rectangle of 4’x5′ and another one is of 2’x7′.so now i want to match the scale of these two rectangles as they look in the same size weather both will of 4’x5′ or 2’x7’….
Thankyou for solving a simple problem that I was about to spend too long trying to solve. The easy to follow instructions, had me back on the job, doing actual work in minutes.
Thanks again.
That is great to hear. I’m happy it helped
~Greg
Great Thanks
Thanks a lot…
Great Thanks
life saver! Thank you
Very thorough explanation.
Thanks a lot
THANK YOU! I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT FOR FOREVER
Glad it helped
~Greg
thank
Thanks a lot, i tried it and regconized that if you know exactly length of object after scale, you could typed it^^ usefull
fantastic tip saved me a lot of train
thanks a lot……….. it really worked a magic for me….. :) :) :)
Can you please describe two methods one might use to enlarge a pattern that is smaller than desired if CAD is unavailable
wooh. This was awasome. I have learnt on how to scale the object and I am very confident on scaling. Thanks a lot for this vide0
Thank you it is really very helpful for me