Scaling

stewmabe · 30 Jan 2012, 21:55

hey guys just a quickie, trying to scale accurately, but the grips that come up when trying to scale dont seem to be very helpful! am i missing something? its not something i am doing right now but i am on the lookout for any tips. cheers

Gaieus · 30 Jan 2012, 22:12

What do you mean "not helpful"?

Note that they all work with modification keys as well. Use the shift key to toggle between uniform/non-uniform and the Ctrl key between centre and opposite point scaling (you can use both).

It accepts precise input: a sole number will mean scaling by ratio but if you also type the unit, it will scale to that size.

It is an extremely powerful tool.

TIG · 30 Jan 2012, 22:38

You can also scale by snapping to another object OR entering a dimension...
['10' scales x10 of what it was before... BUT use a units suffix... '10cm' scales the dim to 10cm exactly etc]

stewmabe · 30 Jan 2012, 22:52

I kind of guessed it must be user error,
i have only been using a week so still trying to get a handle on all the functions i will investigate some more cheers gai

stewmabe · 30 Jan 2012, 22:54

will try entering dims as well cheers tig

Gaieus · 30 Jan 2012, 22:56

An additional tip: I almost always only use the side grips for two reasons:

you always know better what the size should be that way when entering precise values with the units
as TIG mentioned; you can easily snap to other geometry - but it won't work with the corner grips (would not even make sense).
The corner grips scale uniformly by default while the side grips scale non-uniformly. But as you could see, it can be toggled with a mod key easily.

I use the corner grips only when dealing with extremely small geometry (SU has issues with this) and quickly scale something up by 10 or even 100 - of course, uniformly and this way is the fastest.

stewmabe · 30 Jan 2012, 23:16

dont want to use too much of your guys time up but why dont dwg files import at the correct scale?

Gaieus · 30 Jan 2012, 23:19

Before opening the file, when you are in the file browser and selected the appropriate file type, at the bottom right, there is an "Options" button. Under those options, you need to set the units the cad file was made in. These files (for whatever reason) do not contain this data.

By the way: if this is your original issue, the scale tool is not the best for scaling (although as above you could see, the problem can be solved easier).

You can also use the Tape measure tool to scale something. Measure a part whose dimensions you know (click on both ends of an edge for instance - it will not display that of course) but now enter the desired dimension and press enter. SU will prompt you if you want to rescale the model and answer yes.

stewmabe · 30 Jan 2012, 23:35

Gai, thank you!
that is exactly what i wanted, a scale to line version of acad, it worked, thankyou.

Stew

Gaieus · 30 Jan 2012, 23:57

But your real solution would be to import them at a proper scale - and that is done by setting it in the options dialog as per above.

Chrisu02 · 2 Mar 2012, 00:17

Hy
Just found this post after hours of searching for the function i need
Im importing .stl files to edit them for printing them afterwards on my 3D printer. I have two import plugins but both dont scale the parts right

So i need to scale them exactly which the normal scale is not able with the grips on the part shown

I always know the length of the part (measuring with netfabb or meshlab) but i don`t know how to enter the described length you people talk about ?

@unknownuser said:

Post by TIG on Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:38 pm
You can also scale by snapping to another object OR entering a dimension...
['10' scales x10 of what it was before... BUT use a units suffix... '10cm' scales the dim to 10cm exactly etc]

so how is this done exactly, when i use the scale function its not possible to enter values to the measuring box on the lower left corner ???
Or is this a SU-Pro only feature ?

mfg Chri

p.s. sorry for my bad english

Gaieus · 2 Mar 2012, 00:36

@chrisu02 said:

So i need to scale them exactly which the normal scale is not able with the grips on the part shown

Why would the normal scale not be able to do that? The scale tool is extremely powerful. Are you using modification keys (Shift and Ctrl) to control its behaviour?

Box · 2 Mar 2012, 00:45

Gaieus, it's simply that he has missed how to input measurements etc

When using any tool in SU, start the tool moving in the desired way then type the specifics and hit enter.
You don't have to be in the box to type.

So to scale for example, drag one corner and type 10 enter and it will become 10 times larger.
You can type all sorts of things, 10cm enter or 10m enter or .1 enter etc etc

Gaieus · 2 Mar 2012, 00:49

Thanks (it's nearly 2 a.m. here)

Also, after you started to scale, you need not hold the mouse (hard to type that way) just release it and type away.

Box · 2 Mar 2012, 00:50

same time here

Also, as well as being able to scale exactly, you can use the tape measure tool to resize the whole model to a known measurement.
If you know the length of one line is 7.59m then by using the tape measure it will adjust/scale everything to that measurement.

Click at beginning of line, click at end of line, type 7.59m, hit enter, it will ask if you want to resize the model.

Chrisu02 · 2 Mar 2012, 09:33

@gaieus said:

@chrisu02 said:

So i need to scale them exactly which the normal scale is not able with the grips on the part shown

Why would the normal scale not be able to do that? The scale tool is extremely powerful. Are you using modification keys (Shift and Ctrl) to control its behaviour?

When i import for example a gear the diameter does have "~456,7mm" instead of 18mm.
to scale it to exactly 18mm (not only about!) it`s nearly impossible for me.

@gaieus said:

Thanks (it's nearly 2 a.m. here)

Also, after you started to scale, you need not hold the mouse (hard to type that way) just release it and type away.

@box said:

Gaieus, it's simply that he has missed how to input measurements etc

When using any tool in SU, start the tool moving in the desired way then type the specifics and hit enter.
You don't have to be in the box to type.

So to scale for example, drag one corner and type 10 enter and it will become 10 times larger.
You can type all sorts of things, 10cm enter or 10m enter or .1 enter etc etc

I didn`t know that trick that i need to release the mousebutten you are great this brings it one step further but scaling only goes through the diagonal of the part not an normal length.

@box said:

same time here

Also, as well as being able to scale exactly, you can use the tape measure tool to resize the whole model to a known measurement.
If you know the length of one line is 7.59m then by using the tape measure it will adjust/scale everything to that measurement.

Click at beginning of line, click at end of line, type 7.59m, hit enter, it will ask if you want to resize the model.

Wow Now i`m speechless, thats EXACTLY what i was searching for since weeeks !!!

Thank you sooo much

Now i can make the cool 3D Stuff like i want to make them with out punish me with weired tools like Openscad and so on

TIG · 2 Mar 2012, 10:24

If you have an object that is not the size you want it to be then edit its group/instance, and use the tapemeasure tool to pick two points across it [typically two vertices] - let's say the VCB reads '~456,7mm', but you want it to be say '18mm'... then simply type 18mm <enter> [as you would for many of the native-tools that will take VCB inputs] and when the dialog asks if you want to scale everything you must answer 'Yes'. If you now pick the same two points the VCB should now read '18mm'.