About Dimensions

This sub-topic provides information about dimension creation rules.

First of all, bear in mind that dimension creation in Drafting and 2D Layout for 3D Design follows the general rules which apply to geometry creation in V6: the geometry to dimension must be contained within a "box" whose dimensions are 2.e+6mm (the coordinates can vary from -1,000,000 mm to +1,000,000 mm). Therefore, it is impossible to create dimensions for elements exceeding these dimensions.

You can create (and therefore modify) dimensions on one element, or on two elements.

Except for driving dimensions and angle dimensions, a dimension value cannot be equal to 0.

When dimensioning, you can modify a number of attributes.

While dimensioning (before clicking to validate the dimension creation), you can modify the dimension Modifying the Dimension Type, Creating/Modifying Angle Dimensions, Creating Dimensions, Creating Dimensions, and use the About Dimensioning Tools available in the Tools Palette.

While dimensioning, or just after having validated the dimension creation, you can modify the dimension Modifying the Dimension Value Text Position, Modifying the Dimension Overrun/Blanking (either one or both), Adding Text Before/After the Dimension Value, Modifying the Dimension Type.

Once a dimension has been created, you can also modify its properties in the Properties dialog box.

The following tabs may be available, depending on the type of dimension selected:

• Chamfer Tab
• Dimension Line Tab
• Dimension Texts Tab
• Extension Line Tab
• System Tab
• Tolerance Tab
• Value Tab

Dimension creation will also be impacted by the settings defined in Tools > Options > Mechanical > Drafting > Dimension tab.

Refer to Settings Customization User's Guide: Mechanical Design Settings: Customizing Settings: Dimension for more information.

You may find the following tips useful when creating dimension systems.

• When creating: to activate temporarily the Dimension following the cursor option, press the ctrlkey.
• When creating and editing: to activate temporarily the Activate Snapping option, press the shift key.
• When creating an angle dimension: if Dimension following the cursor is selected, you can swap the angle sector of the first dimension according to the mouse position by pressing the ctrl and shift keys. If Dimension following the cursor is not selected, you can swap to the complementary angle sector by pressing the ctrl key and clicking on the dimension line.

Before you begin creating dimensions, make sure you are familiar with:

• The Tools toolbar, the Tools Palette. For more information, refer to About Dimensioning Tools.
• SmartPick, an easy-to-use tool designed to assist you when creating dimensions. For more information, refer to Sketcher User's Guide: Using Smartpick.
• Multi-selection. For more information, refer to the Infrastructure User's Guide: Selecting Objects.