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Advance your geometry editing with precise, predictable results using AutoCAD’s STRETCH command and grip-based workflows.
- STRETCH targets vertices that are crossed by a crossing-window (C) or crossing-polygon (CP). If a vertex isn’t crossed, it won’t move.
- Works best on lines, polylines, arcs, and dimensions; not on 3D solids. For solids, use face subobject edits or PRESSPULL instead.
- Use Remove (R) during selection to exclude objects you don’t want to deform, and Add (A) to bring missed items into the set.
- Lock or freeze layers that must remain fixed before stretching to avoid unintended changes.
Core workflows for accuracy
- Crossing-polygon precision: Start STRETCH (S), type CP, sketch a tight polygon that touches only the endpoints you want to move. This isolates the change and protects adjacent geometry.
- Directional control with UCS: Align your UCS to the intended stretch direction (UCS, Object or 3-Point). Then use Ortho (F8) or Polar Tracking to lock direction and enter an exact distance.
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Typed displacement for repeatability: After selecting, specify a base point, then enter @distance
- Grips for local reshapes: Select objects, hot-grip a vertex, and drag. Use Ctrl to cycle grip modes (Stretch/Move/Rotate/Scale). Combine with Polar Tracking and typed values for clean, parametric-like results.
- Protect dimensions and constraints: Apply geometric/dimensional constraints to anchors you don’t want to drift. Locked references keep stretches intentional and standards-compliant.
Block and reference scenarios
- Dynamic Blocks: In BEDIT, pair a Linear parameter with a Stretch action. Define a stretch frame that crosses the vertices to move, set distances or a Lookup table for controlled increments, and Test Block. This delivers push-button, error-proof stretches for repeated details.
- Editing blocks/Xrefs in place: Use REFEDIT to adjust nested geometry without exploding. Apply STRETCH with CP for clean edits and save changes back. For complex updates, open the source drawing for the Xref to maintain a single source of truth.
Pro tips and pitfalls
- Combine STRETCH with QSELECT or Quick Properties to isolate specific layers or object types before the command.
- Use Selection Cycling to reliably grab the right vertex in congested areas.
- Associative hatches usually follow boundary edits; if not, check hatch associativity or recreate with boundary retained.
- For polylines, ensure the vertex you intend to move is actually crossed; otherwise only connected segments may adjust unpredictably.
- In 3D, prefer subobject selection (faces/edges) with Move or PRESSPULL; STRETCH won’t reshape solids as expected.
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