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Dimensioning basics, Part IV: Create accurate baseline and continued dimensions

Baseline and continued dimensions are linear dimensions that are based on an existing linear dimension:

Baseline: The second and subsequent dimensions all start at the same point as the existing dimension but end at a different point Continued: The second dimension starts at the end point of the existing dimension Create a baseline dimension

First, […]

Dimensioning basics, Part II: Create accurate dimensions for circles and arcs

Arc and circle dimensions are not as common as linear dimensions (See Part I), but they are still often used. Here are the basics for getting accurate results.

Dimension a radius

To dimension the radius of a circle or an arc, follow these steps:

Go to Home tab> Annotation panel> Dimension drop-down menu> Radius. An […]

Defining alternate dimension units in AutoCAD

The dimension measurements in your drawing use a specific unit, whether millimeters, inches, or something else. But it’s common to need to show a second unit — perhaps a metric measurement if you’re using inches, or vice versa.

You define an alternate measurement on the Alternate Units tab of the Dimension Style dialog box. For […]

Understanding how dimensions are associated with objects

This is a guest post by Sanjay Kulkarni, an AutoCAD programmer.

Learning AutoLISP (or any other programming language) doesn’t compel you to become a programmer. You can still use it to better understand the internal working of AutoCAD and enhance your interactive working skill. This can also give you an edge over others.

Recently […]

How to create a text style for a dimension

You should have at least 1 text style for your dimensions and perhaps a text style for each dimension style.

When you create a dimension style, you can create a text style from within the New Dimension Style dialog box. On the Text tab, click the Ellipsis button as shown here.

The Text Style […]

Use DIMEDIT to edit a dimension

The DIMEDIT command lets you move or rotate dimension text, change text, and create oblique (angled) extension lines. You type it on the command line. You see the following prompt:

Enter type of dimension editing [Home/New/Rotate/Oblique] <Home>:

You would use it only in certain situations.

Clean up dimension text location

If the text was moved, […]

Make dimensions look orderly by aligning them

As you add dimensions, they can get messy looking if you don’t align them.

The DIMSPACE command has a little-known technique that automatically aligns the dimensions for you. Follow these prompts:

Select base dimension: Select the dimension that you want to align the other dimensions to.

Select dimensions to space: Select the dimensions that you […]

Tutorial: Override a dimension

It’s always good to keep to your dimension styles as much as possible, but sometimes a situation requires an exception. You can create an override, which is a sub-dimension style that varies from its parent style.

Follow these steps:

On the Annotate tab, click the Dimensions panel’s dialog box launcher arrow (the arrow at the […]

Quickly format dimensions

Usually, it’s best to format your dimensions using a dimension style. If you want an exception to the style, create an override. To create an override, choose Dimension > Dimension Style and click the Override button in the Dimension Style Manager. This method is the best way to maintain your CAD standards.

But sometimes, you […]

Dimensions and associativity

Normally, dimensions are associative, meaning that they change when you edit objects to which they’re attached.

Drawings created in releases 2000 and earlier are not associative. Sometimes, you’ll get a drawing that was created a long time ago and realize that the dimensions aren’t associative.

To make them associative, type dimassoc (a system variable) on […]