ZWCAD Hot tutorial: Scaling Objects with Different X and Y Scale Factors in CAD Software

Sometimes in 2D drafting, we need to apply different X and Y scale factors to change the size or shape of existing objects. For example scale it only on X axis without scaling on Y axis. But it seems impossible for ZWCAD to do this with the Scale command. In ZWCAD users are not allowed to specify different scale factors on different axis at the same time. So it is difficult for us to change window “a” to a narrower window “b” just by scaling as shown in Figure 1.

Are there any other ways to scale X an Y axis separately? Here is one way--we combine scaling with block insertion. Make the objects into block, and then insert with uniform scale factors, after which we explode the block to get the original objects back. The detailed steps are as follows:

1.    Select the objects which you want to scale, and then turn the objects into a block with the Block command.

2.    With the Insert command, insert the block made in step 1, into your drawing.

3.    In the Insert Block dialog box, change the X and Y scale factors, as required. Remember to uncheck the “Uniform Scale” option before inputting the scale factors.

4.    Put the block at the purpose location of your drawing.

5.    Run Explode command to make the block into original objects.

One exception is polyline with arc segments. After exploding a uniform scaled block that is made up with polyline, you will find the arcs become elliptical arcs. Even so, converting objects into block is a good way to scale object in different directions. But in practical term, it is a roundabout way to achieve. Is it possible to make it work by a simple command? Luckily I found a lisp program from some website to save steps for this task. Users may refer to:　Scaleaxis．　

With all above, users will surely find scaling in different directions independently in ZWCAD has never been so easier!


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Similar threads on ZWCAD forum:

Block -XScaleFactor,YScaleFactor (VBA)

Polygon View Point - How to Scale?

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ZWCAD Hot Tutorial: Creating Curves in ZWCAD Quickly with Excel

In surveying and mapping, we get coordinates by taking measurements in the field, and then we make curves from these coordinates. To draw the curves in ZWCAD, we have to input the coordinates one by one at the command line, unfortunately. When there are many coordinates, then it becomes inefficient to draw curves in this way; in any case, this form of manual input is prone to making mistakes.

Now there is an easier way to draw these kinds of curves by using ZWCAD and Excel together. This makes the task efficient and more precise. Here are the steps to carrying this out.

1. First, enter the coordinates into a spreadsheet, such as Excel or LibreOffice. In the figure below, column B contains the x coordinates and column C contains the y coordinates.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Next, define column D as “Point (X , Y).”
3.    Input the following formula in cell D2:”=B2”,”&C2”
4. Copy the formula to all rows by dragging the cell down the column, as shown by the following picture. When you are done, the x,y coordinates are generated automatically in column D.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Now switch over to ZWCAD, and then start Spline command to begin drawing the curve.
6. When the Spline command prompts you, “First point for spline,” copy the x,y coordinate from cell D2 to the last one in the Excel document, and then paste them in the command line in ZWCAD. As you do, the spline will be created automatically, as shown by the figure below.

This method using ZWCAD with Excel makes it easy to quickly create the measured curves with x,y coordinates, but without making mistakes -- no matter how many points you have to input.