Dimensions

In this Task 

• Basic dimensions will be inserted onoto the sketch.

Associated Tasks 

• Adjusting Dimension settings

Before you Start 

• Vertex snaps are required for inserting linear dimensions. Dimensions are usually drawn on a layer specifically created for this purpose.
• A Dims or Annotation layer is available when using the Student 2D template.

Take Note 

• Dimensions are associated to the object to which the dimension is attached. Any change to the dimensional properties of the object will cause the dimension to be updated.
• Menu options for the Default menu and workspace, the Ribbon and Palettes are provided directly under the Command Name heading.

Dimension Tools

Ribbon : Draw | Dimension

Default Menu : Dimension

Palette : Sketch | Dimension

 

Dimensions are inserted to annotate an object.Dimensions are, by default, associative, meaning they will automatically update when their associated objects are modified.Standard Orthogonal, Parallel and Rotated Dimensions require a snap mode, usually vertex, intersection or center when targeting the insertion points to ensure accuracy.Radial, Diameter, Quick and Smart Dimensions require no snap modes.Dimension settings can be pre formatted by right clicking onto any dimension tool prior to starting the dimensioning task.Standard dimension settings can be stored in a template for future standardization.Some common dimension tools are discussed and demonstrated below.Dimension text which is modified by removing the angled brackets loses its associativity to the object.

Dimensions are inserted to annotate an object.

Dimensions are, by default, associative, meaning they will automatically update when their associated objects are modified.

Quick Dimensions

Ribbon : Draw | Dimension | Quick

Default Menu : Dimension | Quick

Palette : Sketch | Dimension | Quick

Multiple entities in the same plane can be selected for dimensioning. The dimension line is placed after all the entities have been selected.Specific dimension types can be selected and a selection rectangle can be placed around multiple objects to dimension.

Make sure the sketch is seated in the middle of the editor with sufficient space around the edges to insert the dimensions.

Select the Quick Dimension tool from the menu options above, then left click onto the left vertical edge, shown below.

Double click or select Finish, then drag the dimension line outwards, shown below. Left click to determine the position of the dimension line.

Repeat this for the dimensions shown below.

Orthogonal Dimensions

Ribbon : Draw | Dimension | Orthogonal

Default Menu : Dimension | Orthogonal

Palette : Sketch | Dimension | Orthogonal

Orthogonal Dimensions are used to create point-to-point dimensions where specific input is required, for example, between 2 parallel points.In the illustration, right, Orthogonal Dimensions have been inserted using the points indicated by the pointers.Orthogonal Dimensions require a snap mode, in this case, the vertex, to ensure positional accuracy of the insertion points.Orthogonal Dimensions can also be used to dimension the diameter of a cylindrical object.

To create intermediate dimensions, the Orthogonal dimension tool is used. This method uses vertex or intersection points to define the dimension extension line.

Select the Orthogonal dimension tool, then left click onto the vertex points shown below.

Select these vertex points. Make sure vertex snap is activated.

Drag the dimension line upwards, shown below, then left click to define the position of the dimension line.

Drag dimension line upwards, left click

Repeat this for other orthographic dimensions so the result is similar to the illustration below.

 

Radial Dimensions

Ribbon : Draw | Dimension | Radius

Default Menu : Dimension | Radius

Palette : Sketch | Dimension | Radius

Radius Dimensions are used to dimension radial objects such as arcs.The Radius Dimension is an associative dimension; its value is updated when the associated object is modified.The text of the dimension can either be seated in an aligned position to the dimension line, shown below, or horizontally. To seat the dimension text horizontally, check the Force Text Horizontal option in the Format page of Dimension Settings.Diameter Dimensions are used to dimension circular objects such as circles.

Diameter and Radius dimensions are used to dimension the inner circle and the arc.

Select the radius dimension tool and left click onto the arc. Drag the cursor outwards, then left click to determine the dimension line position, shown below.

Inserting a radius dimension

Select the Diameter dimension tool to insert a dimension onto the circle, shown below.

Inserting a diameter dimension

 

ModifyingDimension Styles

Dimension styles, such as the alignment of text can be adjusted by selecting the dimension and using the Properties Sheet or the Selection Info palette to adjust the setting.

In this example, the radius dimension text will be adjusted to a horizontal position and the diameter dimension will be adjusted so that the dimension text is inside the circle.

Double click onto the radius dimension to obtain the Properties sheet. From the Format page, select the Force Text Horizontal option.

The result is shown below.

Seating the dimension text horizontally using the Properties sheet

Double click onto the diameter dimension and from the Format page, select the Force Text Inside Extension Lines option.

The result is shown below.

Forcing the dimension text between the extension lines