Resize a Selected Item

About this task

Resize an item using any of the following.

  • Resize tool.
  • Properties dialog box (precisely).
  • Grid units

Resize Tool

The Resize tool can:

  • Expand/contract an object width or height.
  • Expand/contract an object width and height.

Procedure

  1. Click Resize in the Drawing>Edit group.
  2. Select the object to resize.

    The object is surrounded by resize handles.

    Expand/Contract an Object (Width or Height)

    • Expand an object width or height.
    • Reduce the object width or height.

    Expand an Object Width or Height

  3. Select a handle on the side, top or bottom of the object.
  4. Drag the selected handle to its new expanded location.
  5. Release the mouse button when the new size is correct.

    Result: The object size expands as follows.
    Size Status Object Handles
    A Expanding The object handles remain in the original position. Note: Depending on the object selected, a expanded portion may be transparent.
    B Expanded The handles move to surround the expanded object.

    Reduce the Object Width or Height

  6. Select a handle on the side, top or bottom of the object.
  7. Drag the selected handle to its new contracted location.
  8. Release the mouse button when the new size is correct.

    Result: The object size contracts as follows.
    Size Status Object Handles
    A Contracting
    • The object handles remain in the original position.
    • A transparent image of the original size displays.
    B Reduced
    • The handles move to surround the contracted object.
    • The transparent image no longer displays.

    Expand or Contract an Object (Width and Height)

    • Expand an object width and height.
    • Reduce the object width and height.

    Expand  an Object  (Height and Width)

  9. Select a handle on one of the object's corners.
  10. Drag the selected handle to its new expanded location.
  11. Release the mouse button when the new size is correct.

    Result: The object size expands as follows.
    Size Status Object Handles
    A Expanding The object handles remain in the original position.
    B Expanded The handles move to surround the expanded object.

    Reduce an Object Width and Height

  12. Select a handle on one of the object's corners.
  13. Drag the selected handle to its new contracted location.
  14. Release the mouse button when the new size is correct.

    Result: The object size contracts as follows.
    Size Status Object Handles
    A Contracting
    • The object handles remain in the original position.
    • A transparent image of the original size displays.
    B Reduced
    • The handles move to surround the contracted object.
    • The transparent image no longer displays.

    Properties dialog box (precisely)

    The object can be precisely sized in its Properties dialog box.

  15. Select an object.

    Example

    Note: The object width and height are measured from object handle to handle.

  16. Open the Properties dialog box.
  17. Select Geometry

    The current dimensions display in the Width and Height fields.

  18. Enter a new Width and/or Height of the object.
  19. Click OK.

Results

The object is resized based on your entries.

Example

The re-sizing anchors are as follows.

Re-sizing Anchor The object Direction
Width Left Expands Left to right
Contracts Right to left
Height Top Expands Top Down
Contracts Bottom Up
Note: If a shape has been rotated, changing its size will change its rotation angle and shearing.

Grid Units

You can use the techniques to resize an object using the grid as follows.

Select an object.

Re-sizing options are as follows.

  • Do either of the following.
  • Press Shift+<arrow> on the keyboard. The object expands or contracts in the specified direction by:

One grid unit when the grid is on

One pixel when the grid is off

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+<arrow> on the keyboard. The object expands or contracts in the specified direction by:

Two grid units when the grid is on

Five pixels when the grid is off

When you use either of the above methods, the upper left corner of the object remains fixed. Each arrow key does the following:

Up Decreases the height of the object.
Down Increases the height of the object.
Left Decreases the width of the object
Right Increases the width of the object.

For example, if snap to grid is off and you press Ctrl+Shift+<Down> the height of the object increases in size by five pixels, instead of grid units.

  • Press the Ctrl key and hold down the right mouse button; drag a side of the object to expand it or contract it.

The object expands or contracts in two directions, on the side you are dragging and on the opposite side.

Tip: Click Visible in the Nome>Grid group on the CimEdit Ribbon bar to display the grid. Press the Alt key to toggle Snap to Grid on and off.