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Change the length of a line feature

The Change Line Length tool changes the total length of one or more selected line features to a specified length or by a specified value. This tool is available in the Modify Features pane.

For steps to use the Change Length command while sketching a line, see Change the length of a line sketch.

When you use this command, consider the following:

  • If only one line feature is selected, its line length is reported in the pane.

  • Changing the length of a z-aware feature preserves the angular pitch of its segments and assigns an interpolated z-value to the moved vertex.

  • You can set this tool to preview your edits before modifying the selected features.

Note:

This tool is COGO-aware. Entered values for COGO lines are scaled using ground to grid correction settings for the active map. Alternatively, you can set this tool to proportionately scale COGO line geometry using the COGO Distance (lines) or Arclength (circular arcs) field values.

To select a line feature and change its length, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the map containing the features to be edited or Add the layer to the map.

    Tip:

    Before editing, confirm the layers you are editing are editable, snap settings add efficiency and accuracy to your workflow, and the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing.

    For a basic checklist of settings, see Configure settings for editing.

  2. Click the ribbon Edit tab. In the Features group, click Modify .

    The Modify Features pane appears.

  3. Click the Edit Vertices tool .

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

    Alternatively, click the tool on the ribbon Edit tab in the Tools group.

    The tool opens and the Select a feature tool automatically runs.

  4. Select the feature you are editing.

    The selected feature appears in the selection view

    To refine the selection, right-click a feature in the selection view and choose Unselect or Only Select This .

  5. Check or uncheck the Show Preview check box.

    Checked

    Show a preview of the results as dashed lines.

    Unchecked

    Don’t show a preview.

  6. Choose one of the following methods and enter the appropriate length.

    Change Length to

    Change the length to the specified length. Only positive values are permitted. Click the Units drop-down arrow to change the units.

    Change Length by

    Add or remove the specified length from the total length. Positive values extend a line feature, while negative values shorten it. Click the Units drop-down arrow to change the units.

  7. Click First Vertex or Last Vertex to preserve its current location.

  8. If the selected features include COGO-enabled features, check or uncheck the Proportion geometry using existing COGO check box.

    Checked

    Scale COGO line geometry using the COGO Distance (lines) or Arclength (circular arcs) field values.

    Unchecked

    Scale the entered values using ground to grid correction settings for the active map.

  9. Click Change Length.