Dimension Style Settings 1: Anatomy of a dimensioning object…
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Author | Orhan Toker |
| Profession | Architect M.Sc. | |
| Autodesk Authorized Consultant | ||
| Database Specialist | ||
Hello,
You have noticed that when you first start dimensioning, the first dimension entity you create is not exactly like how you wanted it to be. It is possible for you to make changes on this entity or even you can create you own dimension style and apply this style in your drawings. I would like to start a series of articles in order to explain how to create dimension style, change its properties and use these in our other drawings. I have to divide the article into chapters, because I am afraid it will be very long. Those who have just started dimensioning, those who already know and those who would like to advance in subject of dimensioning should follow this series of articles. Start of this series of articles will be made by creating our first dimension entity. Let’s get to work by creating one.
Fig.1 A typical dim object.
If you do not change anything, the first dimension that you create will be created with a dimension style named ISO-25. You can see it from the listbox in the rigth side of dimensioning toolbar (Fig.2). Just on the right side of it, there is the dimension style manager button. Let’s press it and create our own dimension style.
Fig .2 You can see the dimension style on the right side of the toolbar.
From the dimension style manager dialog box (Fig.3), mark up “New…”.
Fig.3 By pressing New button, you create a new dimension style by using the existing settings.
Name your dimension style. I will create a architectural dimension. ( ISO-25 already includes most of the default settings for mechanical technical drawings. No offense for engineers and technical people :) ) Let’s go on with Continue (Fig. 4).
Fig.4 Name your new dimension style.
AutoCAD will directly go to settings of Architectural-1 dimension style. (Fig. 5) However as I will not deal with the settings of dimension style and only explain its structure. I will ask you press OK and close both windows.
Fig.5 AutoCAD immediately opens up the settings window, you can close it for now.
Now, you can choose your new dimension style from the list on the right. Similar to LAYER, whatever the settings of dimension style you choose after this, your dimensions will be the same. Now, let’s examine the structure of the dimension entity. This will help you to make the settings better.
Fig.6 Your new dimension style will appear in the list.
A typical dimension entity drawn in the architectural discipline can be seen in Fig.7.
Fig.7 A typical dimension entity drawn in the architectural discipline
Now, let’s examine the elements that form up this dimension entity.
Dimension Line
It is the main element of the dimension and the dimension text is positioned with respect to this element. Generally, it is on top or in the middle of it. You can assign color, lineweight (line thickness) and line type values to the dimension line. Default values inherit from the LAYER it belongs to.
Dimension Line Extensions
According to the dimension arrow type chosen, dimension line can extend further from right and left. Elementary properties of these extends inherit from the dimension line and only the amount of extension can be adjusted.
Dim Line 1 and Dim Line 2
These lines are on the left and right side of the dimension. Sometimes, part before and after the dimension may be full, then you may choose not to draw these lines. They are not so useful for a complete dimension style.
Extension Lines
Probably, the most important element of a dimension entity is the extension lines. There is a small point on the end of these lines. As you change the position of these points, the dimension itself also changes. Settings for these elements are rather important. Line types of each extension lines can be set to different types, however you can set their color only same. Here, the important point is the distance between extension lines and points that are at the end of them. This distance is necessary for the dimension to look stylish, as well as in the technical manner, to be able to manage the points. Shortly, you can manage this distance also, but if you don’t want it you can set it to zero.
Extend beyond dim lines
Amount of extension further from the dimension line.
Arrows
Dimension arrows can be either dashed lines, as seen in our example, or you can choose from tens of different options. Depending on the arrow type you chose, you may have to set the extend beyond dimension lines to zero. These elements don’t have any other setting than their size.
Dimension Text
It is another important element of dimensioning. You can change its physical properties like text style, color; besides you can add a bounding box around the text. You can also adjust the position of the text.
So that’s the composition of a dimension entity. All the elements are associative, which means that they act as a whole. If you explode the dimension entity, you can not get use of its properties or you can not interfere its style anymore. Do not explode the dimensions…
Bu yazinin Turkce’sini okumak icin basiniz…
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February 11th, 2008 10:39
[...] from its name, DIMBREAK command works as BREAK command in dimensions. Yet, the integrity of dimension lines is not scattered. Firstly, let us take a look at a drawing section that the command formed. (Figure [...]