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Manual / Modify

STRETCH and LENGTHEN

Stretch or shrink part of a shape with a Crossing window (STRETCH) and change the length of a line end (LENGTHEN).

What it does

  • STRETCH – moves only the vertices inside the Crossing window, so the shape stretches or shrinks. Objects that lie entirely inside the window are moved as a whole.
  • LENGTHEN – adds length to the end of a line by a given distance (use a negative value to shorten it).

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Draw › Modify › Trim ▾ › Stretch / Lengthen
  • Command line: STRETCH (Alias S)
  • Command line: LENGTHEN (Alias LEN)

STRETCH steps

  1. Type S and press Enter.
  2. Click 2 corners of a Crossing window so it crosses the side you want to stretch.
  3. STRETCH: click the base point Click the base point.
  4. STRETCH: click the destination point Click a point or type a distance. The result is Stretched 2 object(s).

STRETCH stretching the right side of a plate with holes
STRETCH stretching the right side of a plate with holes

LENGTHEN steps

  1. Type LEN and press Enter. Lengthen delta (negative shortens) <10>: Type a distance, for example 30.
  2. LENGTHEN: click near a line end to extend by +30 (Esc to finish) Click near the end you want to change.
  3. Keep clicking other lines. Press Esc to finish.

Shortcut: LEN 30 or LEN -5 (shortens by 5).

Try it: Luggage tag that fits a longer name

A plywood luggage tag, 80 mm long. When the name does not fit, STRETCH makes the tag longer without moving the strap hole.

  1. Tag: PL, then 0,8 @12,-8 @68,0 @0,30 @-68,0 @-12,-8 0,8, and press Enter. Strap hole: C, 10,15, 3, Esc. Use PLINE for the outline: a RECTANG rectangle is not stretched, it only moves when it lies completely inside the window.
  2. Type S and press Enter. Type the crossing-box corners 95,40 and 60,-5 so the box covers only the right end.
  3. Base point 80,0, destination @40,0. The result reads Stretched 1 object(s). The tag is now 120 mm long, and the hole has not moved.

Luggage tag stretched from 80 to 120 mm
Luggage tag stretched from 80 to 120 mm

Challenge: Add an engraving guideline with L, 20,15, @60,0. Then type LEN 20 and click near its right end. The line grows to 80 mm.

See also