How to Scale Entities in BricsCAD

Quick answer: SCALE resizes a selection relative to a base point, either by selecting a base point and a length, or by typing an explicit scale factor. The factor can also be defined relative to a base scale, for example, with a base scale of 2 and a new scale of 3, the resulting size is 3/2 of the original. Both the base and new scale can also be set graphically in the drawing.

Scaling a Selection Set

1. Launch SCALE. You’re prompted to select entities to scale.
2. Select them; the count of entities in the set displays, and you’re prompted to select more.
3. Select more, or press Enter to continue. You’re prompted for a base point.
4. Specify a point (this point doesn’t move during scaling). You’re prompted for a scale factor, or to choose Reference or Copy.
5. Type a scale factor, or press Enter to accept the previously used value, BricsCAD remembers the last scale factor used in the current drawing.

Scaling a Selection Set Using a Reference Scale

1. Follow steps 1 through 4 above; you’re prompted for a scale factor, or to choose Reference or Copy.
2. Choose Reference. You’re prompted for a reference scale.
3. Click the base point again. You’re prompted for a second point.
4. Specify a point; the distance between the base point and this second point becomes the reference scale, and the selection scales dynamically. You’re prompted for a new scale factor, or to choose Points.
5. Either type a value, setting the distance between the reference points to that value and scaling the selection accordingly, or specify a point to reposition the second reference point instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BricsCAD remember the last scale factor I used? Yes, per drawing, press Enter at the scale factor prompt to reuse it.

What does it mean to scale using a reference scale? You define an existing distance in the drawing as your reference, then specify what that distance should become, BricsCAD calculates the resulting scale factor from the ratio between them.

Does the base point move when I scale a selection? No, the base point stays fixed; everything else in the selection resizes relative to it.

Can I define both the base and new scale graphically, without typing numbers? Yes, both can be set by clicking points directly in the drawing rather than typing values.