Scale

The scale command resizes selected entities uniformly around a base point. All distances from the base point are multiplied by the scale factor — a factor of 2 doubles all dimensions, 0.5 halves them. The factor is always entered by typing; there is no click-to-set-scale.

Two ways to start

Pre-select, then scale — select entities first, then activate:

1. Select one or more entities on the canvas.
2. Type scale in the terminal or click the Scale toolbar button.
3. Click the base point — the fixed point that does not move during scaling. Or type X,Y and press Enter for an exact coordinate.
4. Type the scale factor and press Enter.

Activate, then select — start the command with nothing selected:

1. Type scale or click the toolbar button.
2. Select objects — click to toggle, or drag to select by area.
3. Press Enter or Space to confirm the selection.
4. Click the base point (coordinate entry available), then type the factor.

  Base ●                Base ●
        [entity]   →          [larger entity]
  factor = 2 → distances from ● are doubled

Typing the scale factor

After the base point is placed the terminal shows enter scale factor: and waits for keyboard input:

Key	Action
0–9, .	Append digit to the factor
-	Negative factor (first character only — inverts then scales)
Backspace	Delete the last typed character
Enter	Apply the scale at the typed factor

The factor must be non-zero. Common values:

Factor	Effect
2	Doubles all dimensions
0.5	Halves all dimensions
1.5	Increases by 50%
-1	Mirrors across the base point (equal to a 180° rotation)

There is no live preview while typing — the scaled result appears only after pressing Enter.

Keyboard reference

Key	Action
Enter / Space	Confirm selection
0–9, ., -	Start X coordinate entry (base-point phase), or scale factor (factor phase)
,	Lock X and move to Y entry (base-point phase)
Backspace	Delete last typed character
Enter	Confirm coordinate or apply scale
Escape	Cancel and reset

Selection during the command

Method	Behaviour
Click	Toggles the entity under the cursor
Drag right (strict)	Adds entities fully inside the box
Drag left (crossing)	Adds entities that intersect the box
Enter / Space	Confirms the selection

What gets scaled

All entity types are supported. Each entity scales its geometry relative to the base point:

Entity	What changes
Line	Both endpoints scaled away from the base point
Circle	Center scaled from the base point; radius multiplied by the factor
Arc	Center scaled; radius multiplied by the factor; angles unchanged
Ellipse	Center scaled; both semi-axis lengths multiplied by the factor
Polyline / Rectangle	Every vertex scaled from the base point
Text	Anchor point scaled; height multiplied by the factor
Spline	All control vertices / fit points scaled