# Simple question about changing dimensions on a rectangle

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/simple-question-about-changing-dimensions-on-a-rectangle/4771>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [May 25, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/simple-question-about-changing-dimensions-on-a-rectangle/4771 "2019-05-25T14:12:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bnieco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@bnieco](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/bnieco)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/simple-question-about-changing-dimensions-on-a-rectangle/4771/1 "2019-05-25T14:12:22Z")

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I’m sure I’m missing something obvious as a brand new user. But surprisingly there’s very little information beyond the super obvious that I can find about the draw rectangle tool. What I would like to do is draw the rectangle using the Rectangle(diagonal) tool. Then I’d like to change the dimensions to specific values. I can draw the initial shape. I can also successfully change the first dimension. But when I choose the other dimension (that is clearly drawn between two opposing faces); any change I make suddenly assumes that’s a diagonal dimension and tweaks my rectangle into whatever bizarre polygon that now fits the new diagonal dimension. Bizarre behavior and UI, but I assume there’s a way to do this? Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![WrigleyS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b782af/32.png) [@WrigleyS](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/WrigleyS)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2019, 2:47pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/simple-question-about-changing-dimensions-on-a-rectangle/4771/2 "2019-05-25T14:47:17Z")

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I’ve had this too but forgot to mention it here. I agree, you might reasonably assume that having drawn a rectangle with the rectangle tool that the parallel sides constraint would have been automatically invoked, avoiding the problem you describe.

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**Author:** ![bnieco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@bnieco](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/bnieco)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/simple-question-about-changing-dimensions-on-a-rectangle/4771/3 "2019-05-25T15:58:48Z")

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Aha! That gives me just enough information to realize the solution. I can add the parallel sides constraints and then change the dimensions. Or I can turn on “Auto Constraints” so parallel sides constraints are automatically created and then change the dimensions. Easy once we have enough info! Thanks!