Basic Dimensioning Practices

Basic Dimensioning Practices
Sacramento City College

EDT 310
EDT 310 - Chapter 18 - Basic Di 1

mensioning Practices
Dimensioning Practices
 Dimensional information includes
 Size dimensions.
 Location dimensions.
 Notes.

 Size Dimensions
 Size dimensions provide the size of physical
features.
 Diameter of holes
 Width
 Length
 Depth

 Location Dimensions
 Location dimensions provide the location of
physical features.
 Location of holes from end
 Datum Dimensioning
 Chain Dimensioning
 Location of windows/doors in buildings

 Notes
 Notes give information about individual or
specific features on the drawing.
 They are attached to the feature with a leader
line.

Dimensions
 Each drafting field uses a different type of
dimensioning technique
 Architectural.
 Mechanical.
 Civil.
 Electronics.

Dimensions
 Drafters should place dimensions in
accordance with company and industry
standards.
 Use the company standard FIRST.
 When no company standard exists, use

industry standards.

Dimensioning Standards
 ASME Y-14.5M-1994 Dimensioning and
Tolerancing
 Standard emphasized in the textbook.
 M - means metric.
 1994 is the year it was published.
 ASME is the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers.

Dimensioning Formats

Dimensioning Formats
 Unidirectional Dimensioning is
 “Unidirectional” means one direction.
 All dimension numbers and notes are placed
horizontally on the drawing sheet.
 Numbers are read from left to right when
viewed from the bottom of the drawing sheet.

Aligned Dimensioning
 Aligned Dimensioning is
 Used on architectural drawings.
 Horizontal dimensions are read horizontally.
 Vertical dimensions are read vertically from
the right edge of the sheet.

Dimension Styles used by Particular
Field of Work

Dimensions
 Mechanical Field.
 Uses Unidirectional dimensioning
 Dimensioning parts.
 Dimension Characteristics
 Uses arrowheads for terminators.
 Dimension line is broken
 Dimension number is centered inside dimension
line.

Dimensions
 Architectural Field.
 Uses Aligned dimensioning
 Dimension Characteristics
 Uses “tic” marks for terminators.
 Dimension line is unbroken.
 Dimension number is centered over dimension
line.
 Dimension is aligned with surface.


 Dimensioning practices depend on
 Product requirements.
 What are you making?
 Manufacturing accuracy.
 Extreme precision vs approximate dimensions.
 Standards.
 What dimension standards exist for your industry?
 Tradition.
 How has your industry dimensioned in the past?

 Compare dimensioning practices for:
 Automobile. (decimal inches)
 Architecture. (feet, inches, fractions of inch)
 Microprocessor chip. (1/10,000 to 1/100,000
of an inch
 Civil. (Miles or kilometers)
 Each dimension type is appropriate for

that discipline.
 Precision is indicated by decimal places
 Automobile. (decimal inches)
 3 inches vs 3.0010 inches
 Architecture.
 40.343245 feet (???) !!
 Civil.
 40.365789 miles (???) !!
 Precision must be appropriate for that

discipline.
 The number of decimal places shown on a
dimension increases manufacturing costs!
 Paper weight measurements
 3.0000” x 4.0000” x 2.0000”
 Vs
 3” x 4” x 2”

AutoCAD Dimensioning Commands

Dimensioning Commands
 DLI DIMLINEAR  DED DIMEDIT
 DAL DIMALIGNED  DRA DIMRADIUS
 DAN DIMANGULAR  DDI DIMDIAMETER
 DBA DIMBASELINE  DOR DIMORDINATE
 DCE DIMCENTER  DOV DIMOVERRIDE
 DCO DIMCONTINUE  DST DIMSTYLE
 LE LEADER

The DIMLINEAR Command

DIMLINEAR Command
 Use DIMLINEAR command for
 Length
 Width
 Depth
 Use DIMLINEAR for

 Linear dimensions – (X,Y, Z)
 Horizontal
 Vertical
 Slanted surfaces

DIMLINEAR Command
 All dimension components are placed
automatically by AutoCAD.
 Extension lines.
 Dimension lines.
 Dimension text and arrowheads.

DIMLINEAR Command
 To DIMLINEAR command:
 Pick the Linear Dimension button on the
Dimension toolbar.
 OR
 Pick Linear from the Dimension pull-down
menu.
 OR
 Type DLI or DIMLINEAR at the Command:
prompt.

DIMLINEAR Command
 Command Sequence:
Command: DLI or DIMLINEAR
Pick First extension line origin.
Pick Second extension line origin.
Pick Location of dimension.

First Extension Point

Second Extension Point

Dimension Location

DIMLINEAR Command
 When picking extension line origins:
 Use one of the OSNAP modes for accuracy.
 ENDpoint is a good one to use.

DIMLINEAR Command
 The DIMLINEAR command allows you to
generate dimensions that are
 Horizontal.
 Vertical.
 Aligned with a slanted surface.
 Rotated at a specified angle.

DIMLINEAR Command
 Command: DIMLINEAR
 The following prompt appears:
Dimension line location (Mtext/Text/Angle/Horizontal
Vertical/Rotated)
 Notice submenu choices
 Mtext
 Text
 Angle
 Horizontal
 Vertical
 Rotated
DIMLINEAR Command
 Dimension line location
 Is the default option selection.
 Click the location where you want the dimension
line.

DIMLINEAR Command
 Mtext
 Accesses the Multiline Text Editor.
 The << >> (Chevrons) indicate the current
dimension value.
 The < > is an intelligent value.
 Normally, you should NOT delete the < >.
 If you want the dimension changed, delete < >.

MTEXT Option

DIMLINEAR Command
 Text (Uses DTEXT)
 Uses the Command Line to change the dimension
text.
 Angle
 Allows you to change the dimension text angle.
 Horizontal
 Sets dimensions to horizontal distances only.
 Vertical
 Sets dimensions to vertical distances only.
 Rotated
 Allows you to change the angle for dimension line.

Text Option chosen

Angle

Vertical
Horizontal

Rotated

The DIMALIGNED Command

Dimensioning Angled Surfaces
 DIMALIGNED
 Use for dimensioning a surface drawn at an
angle.
 DIMALIGNED
 functions similarly to the DIMLINEAR
command
 aligns dimension lines with the surface.

The QDIM Command

The QDIM Command
 For DLI and DAL,
 You must pick the extension line origins.
 QDIM
 Lets you pick a geometry
 Circle, Rectangle, etc.
 Extension line origins are AUTOMATICALLY
selected.

The DIMANGULAR Command

DIMANGULAR Command
 Use DIMANGULAR command to
 Dimension the included angle of an arc.
 The arc’s center point becomes the angle

vertex and
 the two arc endpoints are the origin.

Endpoint
Origin
Endpoint

DIMANGULAR Command
 Use DIMANGULAR command to dimension
part of a circle.
 First pick point on a circle becomes the
endpoint of the first extension line.
 Second pick point becomes the endpoint of
the second extension line.

Endpoint
Origin
Endpoint

DIMANGULAR Command
 Access the DIMANGULAR command by:
 Pick the Angular Dimension button on the
Dimension toolbar
 Pick Angular in the Dimension pull-down
menu
 Type DAN or DIMANGULAR at the
Command: prompt.

DIMANGULAR Command
 If there is enough room, AutoCAD will
 Place the
 Dimension text
 Dimension line arc, and
 Arrowheads inside the the extension lines.

DIMANGULAR Command
 If there is not enough room AutoCAD will
 Place the arrowheads outside and
 Place the number outside the dimension lines.
 If space is very small, ALL will be placed

outside.

Dimensioning Shapes

Dimensioning Flat Surfaces
 Dimension flat surfaces by giving
measurements for each feature.
 Architectural drafting - show all dimensions.

 Refer to Figures 18-17, 18-18

Architectural
Style

Mechanical Style

Dimensioning Cylindrical Shapes
 Cylinders – Dimension
 The diameter and the length in one view.
 Use the view where the cylinder appears
rectangular.

Dimensioning Square Features
 Square/Rectangular shapes
 Dimension in views where the length and
height are shown.
 Refer to Figure 18-20

Dimensioning Conical Shapes
 Conical shapes - dimension two ways:
 1. Give the diameters at both ends and the
length.
 2. Give the taper angle and length.

Conical Shapes #1

Conical Shapes #2

Dimensioning Hexagonal Shapes
 Hexagonal shapes - Dimension by giving
 the distance across the flats and
 the length.
 Refer to Figure 18-22

Location Dimensions

Location Dimensions
 Location dimensions are used to locate
features on an object.
 Holes
 Offsets
 Location dimensions do not provide size.

Location Dimensions
 Holes and arcs are dimensioned in the
view where they appear circular.
 Rectangular features are dimensioned to

their edges.

Location Dimensions
 Rectangular coordinates and polar
coordinates are the two location
dimensioning systems.

Location Dimensions
 Rectangular coordinates are linear
dimensions used to locate features from
surfaces, centerlines or center planes
 Use DIMLINEAR command.

Location Dimensions
 Polar coordinates uses angular dimensions
to locate features from surfaces,
centerlines or center planes.
 Use DIMANGULAR command.

Datum Dimensioning
DIMBASELINE

Datum Dimensioning
 In Datum or Baseline dimensioning,
dimensions originate from common
surfaces, centerlines or center planes.

Datum Dimensioning
 Datum Dimensioning is commonly used in
mechanical drafting because each
dimension is independent of the others.
 AutoCAD refers to Datum Dimensioning as

DIMBASELINE or DBA

Chain Dimensioning
DIMCONTINUE

Chain Dimensioning
 Chain dimensioning
 Is rarely used in mechanical drafting.
 has less accuracy, since each dimension is
dependent on the previous dimensions.

Chain Dimensioning
 If chain dimensioning is used, include an
overall dimension to help insure accuracy.
 AutoCAD refers to chain dimensioning as

DIMCONTINUE.

Chain Dimensioning
 Chain Dimensioning is commonly used in
architectural drafting.
 Architectural drafting commonly also

shows an overall dimension with the chain
dimensioning.

Datum Dimensioning
 AutoCAD refers to datum dimensioning as
Baseline dimensioning.
 Use the DIMBASELINE command.

Datum Dimensioning
 Use the DIMBASELINE command to
perform baseline dimensioning.
 Pick the Baseline Dimension button in the
Dimension toolbar
 OR
 Pick Baseline in the Dimension pull-down
menu
 OR
 Type DBA or DIMBASELINE at the
Command: prompt

Datum Dimensioning
 A dimension must exist first before the
DIMBASELINE command can be used.
 AutoCAD will use the most recently drawn

dimension unless you specify another one.

Datum Dimensioning
 In datum dimensioning
 AutoCAD automatically spaces and places
 Extension lines.
 Dimension lines.
 Arrowheads.
 Numbers.

Chain Dimensions
 Create chain dimensions by:
 Picking the Continue Dimension button in the
Dimension toolbar
 OR
 Picking Continue in the Dimension pull-down
menu
 OR
 Typing DCO or DIMCONTINUE at the
Command: prompt

The QDIM Command

The QDIM Command
 The QDIM command
 makes chain and datum dimensioning even
easier.
 It eliminates the need to define the exact
points being dimensioned.
 Automates the process of point selection.

The QDIM Command
 QDIM can be selected by:
 Selecting QDIM from the Dimension pull-down
menu
 OR
 Picking the Quick Dimension button from the
Dimension toolbar
 OR
 Typing QDIM at the Command: prompt.

The QDIM Command
 Single Polyline:
 QDIM draws linear dimensions to every
vertex.
 Single arc or circle:

 QDIM draws a radius or diameter dimension.

The QDIM Command
 Multiple Objects: QDIM draws
 Linear dimensions to the vertex of every line
or polyline.
 Linear dimensions to the center of every arc
or circle.
 AutoCAD finds these points automatically.

Inserting Dimensioning Symbols

Inserting Symbols
 After you select a feature to dimension,
AutoCAD responds with the measurement
or dimensioning number.
 If the object is a circle or radius, AutoCAD

automatically places the radius (R) or
diameter () symbols before the
dimension number.

Inserting Symbols
 AutoCAD does not place a symbol
automatically in linear dimensioning.

Inserting Symbols
 Use the Mtext editor to insert other
symbols.
 Place the text cursor in the location where

you want the symbol placed
 Open the Symbol drop-down list
 Select the symbol
 Click OK.

Creating Your Own Symbols
 If a needed symbol does not exist, you
can draw it and insert it on the drawing.
 It is faster to create your own symbols,

save them as a block and insert the block
on the drawing as needed.

The Circle Center Mark
and
DIMCEN

Circle Center Dashes
 Circles are dimensioned to the CENTER of
the circle.
 AutoCAD will easily draw a centermark

that can be “dimensioned to”.
 The command is DIMCENTER

 The mark size is set by the DIMCEN variable

Circle Center Dashes
 To draw the center dashes:
 Pick the Center Mark button on the Dimension
Toolbar
 Pick Center Mark in the Dimension pull-down
menu
 Type DCE or DIMCENTER at the Command:
prompt
 When the arc or circle is picked, the
center marks are automatically drawn.

DIMCEN Variable
 The DIMCEN variable controls the center
dashes.
 The default length is 0.09” long.

DIMCEN Variable
 If DIMCEN = 0; center marks are not
drawn.
 If DIMCEN < 0; AutoCAD draws

 Complete centerlines that extend past the
edge of the circle.
 Center dashes.

DIMCEN Variable
 If DIMCEN > 0; AutoCAD draws
 Center dashes ONLY.
 No extension lines outside the circle.

DIMCEN Variable
 The value of the DIMCEN variable sets
 The length of the center dashes and
 The length of the extension lines past the
edge of the circle.
 DIMCEN = 0.09. Dashes are 0.09 units long.

 DIMCEN = 0.5. Dashes are 0.5 units long.

Summary-Dimensioning Commands

Dimensioning Commands
 DLI DIMLINEAR  DED DIMEDIT
 DAL DIMALIGNED  DRA DIMRADIUS
 DAN DIMANGULAR  DDI DIMDIAMETER
 DBA DIMBASELINE  DOR DIMORDINATE
 DCE DIMCENTER  DOV DIMOVERRIDE
 DCO DIMCONTINUE  DST DIMSTYLE
 LE LEADER

Using the Dimensioning Mode

Using the Dimensioning Mode
 Entering DIM or DIM1 enters the
“dimensioning mode”
 You can enter as many dimensions as
desired in this mode
 Enter E or EXIT or press the [Esc] key to exit
this mode

Dimensioning Circles

 Circles are normally dimensioned by giving
the diameter.
 Per ASME standard, arcs are dimensioned

by giving the radius.
 AutoCAD lets you dimension a circle or an

arc by giving the diameter dimension.

 Diameter dimensions are produced by:
 Picking the Diameter Dimension button on the
Dimension Toolbar.
 OR
 Picking Diameter in the Dimension pull-down
menu.
 OR
 Typing DDI or DIMDIAMTER at the
Command: prompt.

 When you use the DIMDIAMETER
command, a leader line and diameter
dimension value are attached to the
cursor when you pick the circle or arc.
 The leader can be dragged to any desired

location and length before picking where
you want it to be placed.
 The Mtext, Text and Angle options are
available.

Dimensioning Holes

Dimensioning Holes
 Holes are dimensioned in the view where
they appear as circles.
 To dimension holes:
 Give location dimensions to the center and a
leader showing the diameter.
 Use the DIMDIAMETER command to
dimension the diameter.

Dimensioning Repetitive Features

Dimensioning Repetitive Features
 Repetitive features are dimensioned by:
 The number of repetitions
 Followed by an X, a space, and the size
dimension.
 The dimension is then connected to the
feature with a leader.
 Refer to Figure 18-37.

Dimensioning Arcs

Dimensioning Arcs
 The standard for dimensioning arcs is the
radius.

Dimensioning Arcs
 Use the DIMRADIUS command to place a
radius command by:
 Picking the Radius Dimension button on the
Dimension toolbar.
 OR
 Picking Radius in the Dimension pull-down
menu.
 OR
 Typing DRA or DIMRADIUS at the Command:
prompt.

Dimensioning Fillets and Rounds

Dimensioning Fillets and Rounds
 Small inside arcs are called fillets
 Fillets are designed to strengthen inside
corners.
 Small arcs on outside corners are called
rounds.
 Rounds are used to relieve sharp corners
 Dimension each one individually as arcs or
as a general note.
 See Figure 18-39.

Dimensioning Angles

Dimensioning Angles
 Coordinate and angular dimensioning are
both acceptable for dimensioning angles.

Dimensioning Angles
 Coordinate dimensioning uses coordinates
to specify the length of line segments to
start locations of angles.

Dimensioning Angles
 Angular dimensioning
 Locates one corner with a dimension and
provides the value of the angle in degrees.
 You can dimension the angle between any
two non-parallel lines.

Dimensioning Curves
 Where possible, curves are dimensioned
as arcs.
 Where curves are not of a constant-radius,
 Dimension them to points along the curve
using the DIMLINEAR command.
 See Figure 18-40.

Dimensioning Chamfers
 A chamfer is an angled surface used to
relieve sharp corners.
 To dimension chamfers:
 Show angle and a linear dimension
 OR
 Two linear dimensions

Transparent Dimensioning

Transparent Commands
 Dimensioning variables can be entered
transparently while in another command.

 At most dimensioning prompts, the
variable name can be entered without the
DIM prefix.
 Horizontal
 Vertical
 Aligned

 DIM: prompt  Command: prompt
 ALIGNED  DIMALIGNED
 ANGULAR  DIMANGULAR
 BASELINE  DIMCENTER
 CONTINUE  DIMCONTINUE
 DIAMETER  DIMDIAMETER
 HOMETEXT  DIMEDIT Home
 HORIZONTAL  DIMLINEAR
 LEADER Horizontal
LEADER  DIMEDIT Text
 NEWTEXT

 OBLIQUE  DIMEDIT Oblique
 ORDINATE  DIMORDINATE
 OVERRIDE  DIMOVERRIDE
 RADIUS  DIMRADIUS
 RESTORE  DIMSTYLE Restore
 ROTATED  DIMLINEAR
 SAVE  DIMSTYLE Save

 STATUS  DIMSTYLE Status
 TEDIT  DIMTEDIT
 TROTATE  DIMEDIT Rotate
 UPDATE  DIMSTYLE Apply
 VARIABLES  DIMSTYLE Variables
 VERTICAL  DIMLINEAR Vertical

 Exception: DIMCEN
 Is interpreted as CEN object snap override if
not preceded by DIM.

Drawing Leader Lines

 The DIMDIAMETER and DIMRADIUS
commands automatically place leaders on
the drawing.
 The LEADER command allows you to

begin and end a leader line where you
desire.

 Leader lines are ideal for:
 Adding specific notes to a drawing.
 Situations where a leader line must be
staggered to go around other drawing
features.
 Where a double leader line is required.
 Where custom leaders are needed.

LEADER Command
 The leader line characteristics, such as
arrowhead size and text positioning are
controlled by the dimension variable
settings.
 Other features are controlled by options

within the LEADER command.

LEADER Command
 The LEADER command is accessed by:
 Picking the Leader button in the Dimension
Toolbar.
 OR
 Picking Leader in the Dimension pull-down
menu.
 OR
 Typing LE or LEADER at the Command:
prompt.

LEADER Command
 The LEADER command prompts look like
the LINE command prompts.
 Pick the starting and ending points of the
leader.
 The Annotation option is the default.
 Press [Enter] and type in the desired note.
 The Mtext prompt appears.
 Type as many lines of text as desired.
 Terminate with the [Enter] key.

LEADER Command Options
 The Annotation sub-options
 Tolerance.
 Copy.
 Block.
 None.

 Tolerance
 Allows creation of the feature control frame
 Discussed in Chapter 21 of text.
 Copy
 Copies text, mtext, feature control frame or block,
and connects the new object to the leader being
created.
 Refer to Figure 18-43B.

 Block
 Inserts a specified block at the end of the leader.
 None
 This option ends the leader with no annotations of
any kind.

LEADER Command Format Options
 The LEADER command allows you to
modify the way a leader line is presented.
 Accomplished by accessing the Settings
option.

LEADER Command Format Options
 The Settings Options:
 Spline.
 Straight.
 Arrow.
 None.
 Exit.

The UNDO Option
 The Undo option removes the last leader
segment that was drawn.

Using Multiple Leaders
 Multiple Leaders can be drawn in
AutoCAD.
 Use the LEADER command to place the first
leader and note.
 Enter the LEADER command again and pick
the beginning of the previous leader shoulder
as the second point.
 Use the Annotation None option to terminate
the command.

Using Multiple Leaders
 1. Draw Graphics only this week (35-39)
 After Dimension Styles lecture (next week), we will
draw dimensions.
 DO NOT Include TITLEBLOCK on assigments!
 2. Dimension Graphics using dimension styles
only!!
 3. Hatching
 Required for PULLEY assignment.
 Lecture in two weeks.
 4. D Size border (Asgn 40)
 Insert version
 XREF version
Dimension Styles

Dimension Styles
 The appearance of dimensions is
controlled by over 70 different settings.
 Dimension Styles are saved configurations
of these 70 settings.

Dimension Styles
 Dimension variables are AutoCAD system
variables that help you control the way
dimensions look.

Dimension Styles
 Create a dimension style that has the
desired dimension appearance.
 Name the style appropriately.
 Dimension styles can have a family of

settings that allow you to have different
settings for each type of dimension.

Creating Dimension Styles

 To use dimensions most effectively
 1. Create a dimension style
 2. Use the style to create dimensions
 3. AVOID Dimension Overrides.

 You can customize dimension styles to
correspond to drafting standards such as:
 ASME/ANSI
 ISO
 MIL
 Architectural
 Structural
 Civil

 Dimension Styles are created
 using the Dimension Styles dialog box and is
selected by:
 Picking the Dimension Styles button in the
Dimension tool bar
 OR
 Picking Dimension Style in the Format pull-
down menu
 OR
 Entering D or DDIM at the Command: prompt

 The Dimension Style area of the
Dimension Style dialog box displays the
name of the style.
 “Standard”.
 If additional styles exist they are accessed in
the drop-down list.
 The “Name” text box is where you input the
dimension style name or rename an existing style.

 “New” button
 Creates new dimension styles
 Name
 Recognizable name for new dimension style.
 Start with
 You can base new dimension style on an existing
dimension style.

 “Use For” button
 Use for
 All dimensions
 Linear dimensions
 Angular dimensions
 Radial dimensions
 Diameter dimensions
 Ordinance dimensions
 Leaders
 Tolerances

 “Modify” button
 Allows changes to the currently selected style.

 “Override” button
 An OVERRIDE is a temporary change to the
current style setting.
 The override settings are lost when any other

style is selected as “current” again!!

 “Compare” button
 Allows you to view the properties of two styles
side by side.


Creating Dimension Styles -
The Lines and Arrows Tab

 Color
 ByBlock
 Individual color

 Lineweight
 ByBlock
 Individual lineweights.

 Extend beyond ticks
 Only active with tic marks.
 Allows the dimension line to extend past the
tic mark.

 Baseline Spacing
 Sets the spacing between dimension lines of
baseline dimensions.

 Suppress Dim Line 1 or Dim Line 2
 Prevents the display of either Dim Line 1 or
Dim Line 2.

 Extension Lines
 Color.
 ByBlock
 Lineweight.
 ByBlock
 Individual lineweight

 Extension Lines
 Extend beyond dim lines.

 Extension Lines
 Offset from origin.

 Extension Lines
 Suppress.

 Arrows
 Style - Left
 Style - Right
 Leader arrows
 Style
 Arrow size


 Center Mark for Circles (DIMCEN).
 None.
 Mark.
 Line.
 Size
 Negative - lines extend outside circle
 Positive - lines do not extend outside circle.

The TEXT Tab

The Text Tab
 Text
 Style
 Text styles currently available in drawing.
 Color
 ByBlock
 Height
 0.125” is architectural standard height.

The Text Tab
 Text
 Fraction height scale
 A value of 1.0 = fraction height same as text size.
 Draw frame around text.
 Draws a rectangle around the text.
 Distance from text is determined by “offset from
dim line value”.

The Text Tab
 Text Placement - Vertical
 Centered
 Default
 Dimension text placed in gap in dimension line.
 Above
 Architectural drafting.
 Dimension text placed ABOVE dimension line.
 Outside
 Dimension text placed OUTSIDE dimension.
 JIS - Japanese Industrial Standards.
The Text Tab
 Text Placement - Horizontal
 Centered
 Dimension text is centered on dimension line.
 At Ext Line 1
 Dimension text is placed at Ext Line 1.
 At Ext Line 2
 Dimension text is placed at Ext Line 2.

The Text Tab
 Text Placement - Horizontal
 Over Ext Line 1
 Dimension text is placed with and over Ext Line 1.
 Not common.
 Over Ext Line 2
 Dimension text is placed with and over Ext Line 2.
 Not common.
 Offset from dim line
 Sets gap between dimension line and dimension
text.

The Text Tab
 Text Alignment
 Horizontal
 Draws unidirectional dimension text.
 Aligned with dimension line
 Draws aligned dimension text.
 ISO Standard
 Aligned text when the text is between the
extension lines.
 Horizontal dimensions when the text is outside the
extension lines.

The Fit Tab

The Fit Tab
 Fit tab controls the placement of
 Text
 Arrows.

The Fit Tab
 Fit tab
 Either the text or the arrows, whichever fits
best.
 Arrows.
 Text.
 Both text and arrows.
 Always keep text between extension lines.
 Suppress arrows if they don’t fit inside the
extension lines.

The Fit Tab
 Text placement
 Beside the dimension line.
 Over the dimension line, with a leader.
 Over the dimension line, without a leader.

The Fit Tab
 Scale for Dimension Features
 Used to set the scale factor for all dimension
features in the entire drawing.
 Scale dimensions to layout (paper space)

 Sets overall scale to adjust to active paper space
viewport, by setting the scale equal to the viewport
scale factor.

The Fit Tab
 Fine tuning
 Allows maximum flexibility for placing
dimension text.
 Place text manually

 Allows control over text placement and dimension
line length outside dimension lines.

The Fit Tab
 Fine tuning
 Allows maximum flexibility for placing
dimension text.
 Always draw dim line between ext lines

 Forces a dimension line inside extension lines,
even if the arrows and text are outside the
extension lines.

The Primary Units Tab

Primary Units Tab
 Primary Units Tab
 Unit Format
 Precision
 Fraction Format
 Decimal Separator
 Round off
 Prefix
 Suffix

Primary Units Tab
 Unit Format
 Scientific
 Decimal
 Engineering
 Architectural
 Fractional
 Windows Desktop

Primary Units Tab
 Unit Format
 Decimal
 Decimal inches
 Decimal millimeters
 Normally used on mechanical drawings for
manufacturing.
 Initial precision is four decimal places.

Primary Units Tab
 Unit Format
 Engineering
 Civil (maps, plot plans, etc.
 Initial precision - four decimal places

Primary Units Tab
 Unit Format
 Architectural
 Feet, inches and fractional inches
 Initial precision - 1/16 inch

Primary Units Tab
 Unit Format
 Fractional
 Scientific
 Very large or very small values
 Initial precision - four decimal places.

Primary Units Tab
 Precision
 How many zeroes follow the decimal place.
 Fraction Format
 Diagonal
 Horizontal
 Not Stacked (Architectural only)

Primary Units Tab
 Decimal Separator
 Commas
 Periods (default)
 Spaces

Primary Units Tab
 Round off
 Default = zero (no rounding)
 0.1 = rounded to nearest 0.1
 1.188 = 1.2

Primary Units Tab
 Prefix
 Special notes or symbols placed in front of the
dimension text.
 Example: SR3.5 (Spherical radius)
 Suffix
 Special notes or symbols placed after the
dimension text.

Primary Units Tab
 Measurement Scale
 If value = 1, dimension values are displayed
the same as they are measured.
 If value = 2, dimension values are displayed

twice as much as they are measured.

Primary Units Tab
 Apply to layout dimensions only.
 Makes the linear scale factor active only when
dimensioning in a layout tab.

Primary Units Tab
 Zero suppression
 Leading
 On by default
 Leaves a zero on dimension numbers less than one.
 Trailing
 Off by default
 Leaves zeroes after the decimal point based on the
precision setting.

Primary Units Tab
 Zero suppression
 0 feet
 On by default
 Removes the zero in feet and inch dimensions when
there are zero feet.
 0 inches
 On by default
 Removes the zero when the inch part of feet and inch
dimensions is less than one inch.

Overriding Dimensioning Variables

Overriding Existing Dimensioning Variables
 You can alter dimensioning variables to
modify one or more specify dimensions on
the drawing.
Command: DOV or DIMOVERRIDE
Dimension variable to override or Clear to
remove overrides): DIMEXO
Current Value <0.062> New value: 0
Dimension variable to override: (type another
variable name to override or press [Enter])
Select objects:
Overriding Existing Dimensioning Variables
 The variable changes on as many
dimensions as you pick.
 You can also clear any previous overrides

by using the Clear option.

Dimensioning Variables
 AutoCAD uses variables to modify the
appearance of dimensions.
 AutoCAD has 72 (!) variables associated

with dimensions.

Dimensioning Variables
 By using dimension styles, you can pre-set
many of these variables.
 Use different dimension styles to create

different types of dimensions.


Basic Dimensioning Practices

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Basic Dimensioning Practices

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Basic Dimensioning Practices

Sacramento City College

EDT 310 - Chapter 18 - Basic Di 1

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 Use the company standard FIRST.

 When no company standard exists, use

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 Each dimension type is appropriate for

 Precision must be appropriate for that

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 Use DIMLINEAR for

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 The arc’s center point becomes the angle

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 If space is very small, ALL will be placed

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 Architectural drafting - show all dimensions.

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