9. Dimensioning

9. Dimensioning
9. Dimensioning

Dimensioning

9.1 Understanding Dimensioning and Dimensioning Styles

9.1.1 Understanding the Concept of Dimensioning in AutoCAD

Dimensioning in AutoCAD is the process of adding accurate measurements and annotations to your drawings. It allows you to specify the size, position, and other geometric properties of objects within your design. By dimensioning your drawings, you provide critical information for manufacturing, construction, and other purposes. AutoCAD offers a variety of tools and options to create and manage dimensions effectively.

9.1.1.1 Why We Use Dimensioning

Dimensioning serves several important purposes in technical drawings. It provides clarity, allowing others to understand the size and location of objects in the design. Dimensioning also ensures accuracy during the manufacturing or construction process by providing precise measurements. Additionally, dimensioning aids in communication between designers, engineers, and other stakeholders, enabling them to interpret and evaluate the design accurately.

9.1.1.2 Common Types of Dimensions Used in AutoCAD

AutoCAD offers various types of dimensions to accommodate different design requirements. Some commonly used dimension types include:

  • Linear Dimensions: These dimensions measure the distance between two points or the length of an object. They are typically represented by horizontal, vertical, or aligned lines with measurement values.
  • Angular Dimensions: Angular dimensions measure the angle between two lines or the rotation of an object. They are displayed with an arc symbol and an angle value.
  • Radial Dimensions: Radial dimensions measure the radius or diameter of a circle or arc. They are represented by a leader line extending from the center of the circle or arc with a dimension value.
  • Diameter Dimensions: Diameter dimensions specifically measure the diameter of a circle or arc. They use a leader line with a diameter symbol (Ø) and a dimension value.
  • Ordinate Dimensions: Ordinate dimensions establish the position of an object along two perpendicular axes. They are represented by two leader lines, one vertical and one horizontal, with dimension values.
9.1.2 Understanding Dimensioning Styles

Dimensioning styles in AutoCAD allow you to control the appearance and behavior of dimensions in your drawings. A dimensioning style comprises a set of predefined settings that determine the text style, dimension lines, arrowheads, and other properties of dimensions. By using dimensioning styles, you can ensure consistency throughout your drawings and easily make global changes if needed.

9.1.2.1 The Role of Dimensioning Styles in AutoCAD

Dimensioning styles provide a convenient way to manage and customize dimension properties. By creating and modifying dimension styles, you can define specific text and dimensioning formats, such as font, height, color, and precision. These styles can be applied to dimensions individually or globally, ensuring that all dimensions in your drawing adhere to the defined standards.

9.1.2.2 Default Dimensioning Styles in AutoCAD

AutoCAD includes several default dimensioning styles to help you get started. These styles have predefined settings for various dimension properties. To access the default dimensioning styles:

  1. Click on the Annotate tab in the Ribbon.
  2. In the Dimensions panel, click on the Dimension Style Manager button. (Insert an image showing the Dimension Style Manager button)
  3. In the Dimension Style Manager dialog box, you can see a list of available dimension styles. The default styles include Standard, Architectural, Engineering, and more. (Insert an image showing the Dimension Style Manager dialog box with the default styles)

You can choose to modify these default styles or create new dimensioning styles to suit your specific needs. Modifying a dimensioning style allows you to adjust various properties, such as text height, arrowhead style, and tolerance values. Creating new dimensioning styles enables you to define custom formats and save them for future use.

In the next section, we will explore the process of creating and modifying dimensioning styles in AutoCAD.

9.2. Creating Linear, Aligned, and Arc Length Dimensions

In this section, we will explore the methods to create linear, aligned, and arc length dimensions in AutoCAD. Dimensions are essential for accurately conveying measurements in your drawings and are commonly used in architectural, engineering, and design projects.

9.2.1. How to Create Linear Dimensions

Linear dimensions are used to indicate the length of an object or the distance between two points. AutoCAD provides several methods to create linear dimensions.

9.2.1.1. Using the DIMLINEAR Command

The DIMLINEAR command is a quick way to create linear dimensions in AutoCAD. Follow the steps below to create a linear dimension:

  1. Type DIMLINEAR in the command line and press Enter, or access the command from the Ribbon by navigating to the Annotate tab and selecting Linear from the Dimensions panel.
  2. Select the first point on the object or line you want to dimension.
  3. Select the second point on the object or line. The dimension line will be created, indicating the distance between the two points.
  4. To place the dimension text, specify the location by clicking or enter the desired coordinates.

Please provide an image of your drawing or object, clearly showing the points you want to dimension.

9.2.1.2. Setting the Linear Dimension Scale

AutoCAD allows you to adjust the scale of linear dimensions to suit your drawing’s requirements. Here’s how you can set the linear dimension scale:

  1. Type DIMSCALE in the command line and press Enter.
  2. Enter the desired scale factor for the dimensions. For example, if you want your dimensions to be twice as large as the actual size, enter 2. Similarly, if you want them to be half the actual size, enter 0.5.
  3. Press Enter to apply the new scale factor.

Note: The dimension scale affects all linear dimensions in your drawing.

9.2.2. How to Create Aligned Dimensions

Aligned dimensions are used to measure distances at an angle other than horizontal or vertical. They are commonly used for diagonal lines or irregular shapes. Let’s explore how to create aligned dimensions in AutoCAD.

9.2.2.1. Using the DIMALIGNED Command

The DIMALIGNED command is used to create aligned dimensions in AutoCAD. Follow the steps below:

  1. Type DIMALIGNED in the command line and press Enter, or access the command from the Ribbon by navigating to the Annotate tab and selecting Aligned from the Dimensions panel.
  2. Select the first dimension line origin point.
  3. Select the second dimension line origin point.
  4. Specify the location for the dimension line by clicking or entering coordinates.

Please provide an image of your drawing or object, clearly showing the points you want to dimension.

9.2.2.2. Placing Aligned Dimensions in Your Drawing

To place aligned dimensions accurately in your drawing, follow these steps:

  1. Select the aligned dimension object.
  2. Click and drag the dimension line to adjust its position as needed.
  3. If necessary, move the dimension text by clicking and dragging it to a suitable location.

Please provide an image of your drawing or object with the aligned dimensions correctly placed.

9.2.3. How to Create Arc Length Dimensions

Arc length dimensions are used to measure the length of arcs and circles. These dimensions are useful in architectural designs, mechanical drawings, and other fields. Let’s learn how to create arc length dimensions in AutoCAD.

9.2.3.1. Using the DIMARC Command

The DIMARC command allows you to create arc length dimensions in AutoCAD. Follow these steps:

  1. Type DIMARC in the command line and press Enter, or access the command from the Ribbon by navigating to the Annotate tab and selecting Arc Length from the Dimensions panel.
  2. Specify the center point of the arc or circle.
  3. Specify the start point of the arc or circle.
  4. Specify the endpoint of the arc or circle.
  5. Specify the location for the dimension line by clicking or entering coordinates.

Please provide an image of your drawing or object, clearly showing the arc or circle you want to dimension.

9.2.3.2. Placing Arc Length Dimensions in Your Drawing

To accurately place arc length dimensions in your drawing, follow these steps:

  1. Select the arc length dimension object.
  2. Click and drag the dimension line to adjust its position as needed.
  3. If necessary, move the dimension text by clicking and dragging it to a suitable location.

Please provide an image of your drawing or object with the arc length dimension correctly placed.

By following these procedures, you can create linear, aligned, and arc length dimensions in AutoCAD, enhancing the clarity and accuracy of your drawings.

9.3. Creating Radial and Angular Dimensions

9.3.1. How to Create Radial Dimensions

Radial dimensions are used to measure the radius or diameter of arcs and circles in your AutoCAD drawing. To create radial dimensions, you can follow these steps:

9.3.1.1. Using the ‘DIMRADIUS’ Command
  1. Open AutoCAD and navigate to the drawing where you want to create radial dimensions.
  2. In the Ribbon, go to the Annotate tab, and in the Dimensions panel, click on the Radial button. Alternatively, you can type DIMRADIUS in the command line and press Enter.
  3. AutoCAD will prompt you to select the arc or circle for which you want to create a radial dimension. Click on the desired arc or circle.
  4. Specify the dimension line location by clicking on a point outside the arc or circle.
  5. Finally, place the dimension text by clicking at a suitable location.
9.3.1.2. Placing Radial Dimensions in Your Drawing

To place the radial dimensions accurately in your drawing, you can follow these steps:

  1. Start by activating the DIMRADIUS command either through the Ribbon or by typing it in the command line.
  2. Select the arc or circle by clicking on it.
  3. Specify the dimension line location by clicking on a point outside the arc or circle.
  4. At this point, AutoCAD will prompt you to specify the dimension text location. However, instead of clicking, type D and press Enter. This will activate the DIMDIAMETER command.
  5. AutoCAD will prompt you to select the arc or circle again. Click on it.
  6. Specify the dimension line location by clicking outside the arc or circle.
  7. Finally, place the dimension text by clicking at a suitable location.

9.3.2. How to Create Angular Dimensions

Angular dimensions are used to measure the angle between two lines, arcs, or circles in your AutoCAD drawing. To create angular dimensions, you can follow these steps:

9.3.2.1. Using the ‘DIMANGULAR’ Command
  1. Open AutoCAD and navigate to the drawing where you want to create angular dimensions.
  2. In the Ribbon, go to the Annotate tab, and in the Dimensions panel, click on the Angular button. Alternatively, you can type DIMANGULAR in the command line and press Enter.
  3. AutoCAD will prompt you to select the first line or arc for which you want to create an angular dimension. Click on the desired line or arc.
  4. Next, select the second line or arc. AutoCAD will measure the angle between these two entities and display the dimension.
  5. Finally, place the dimension text by clicking at a suitable location.
9.3.2.2. Placing Angular Dimensions in Your Drawing

To place the angular dimensions accurately in your drawing, you can follow these steps:

  1. Start by activating the DIMANGULAR command either through the Ribbon or by typing it in the command line.
  2. Select the first line or arc by clicking on it.
  3. Select the second line or arc. AutoCAD will measure the angle between them and display the dimension.
  4. At this point, AutoCAD will prompt you to specify the dimension text location. Instead of clicking, type A and press Enter. This will activate the DIMALIGNED command.
  5. AutoCAD will prompt you to select the first extension line origin. Click on the appropriate point.
  6. Next, select the second extension line origin by clicking on another suitable point.
  7. Finally, place the dimension text by clicking at a suitable location.

Remember, these dimensioning commands and techniques can greatly enhance the clarity and accuracy of your drawings in AutoCAD. Experiment with different options and settings to find the best approach for your specific requirements.

9.4. Creating Dimension Styles and Overriding Styles

9.4.1. How to Create Dimension Styles

9.4.1.1. Understanding the ‘DIMSTYLE’ Command

The ‘DIMSTYLE’ command in AutoCAD allows you to create and manage dimension styles. Dimension styles define the appearance and behavior of dimensions in your drawing. To access the ‘DIMSTYLE’ command, follow these steps:

  1. In the Ribbon, go to the Annotate tab.
  2. Look for the Dimensions panel and click on the Dimension Style button. Alternatively, you can type DIMSTYLE in the command line and press Enter.
9.4.1.2. Creating a New Dimension Style

To create a new dimension style using the ‘DIMSTYLE’ command, perform the following steps:

  1. In the Dimension Style Manager dialog box, click on the New button. A new dimension style will be created based on the default style.
  2. Give your new dimension style a descriptive name in the Name field.
  3. Customize the various settings in the dialog box to define the appearance and behavior of your dimension style. This includes parameters such as text height, arrowhead style, and dimensioning units.
  4. Click OK to save the new dimension style.

Now, you can apply this dimension style to dimensions in your drawing by selecting them and choosing the newly created style from the style list.

9.4.2. How to Override Dimension Styles

9.4.2.1. Understanding When to Override Dimension Styles

There may be instances where you want to override the dimension style settings for specific dimensions in your drawing. This allows you to customize individual dimensions without affecting the overall dimension style. To override dimension styles, follow these steps:

  1. Select the dimension you want to override. You can use the SELECT command or simply click on the dimension.
  2. Right-click on the dimension and choose Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, you can type PROPERTIES in the command line and press Enter.
9.4.2.2. Applying an Override to a Dimension Style

In the Properties palette, you can modify the dimension properties to apply an override. Follow these steps:

  1. In the Properties palette, locate the Dimension Style property and click on the drop-down list.
  2. Choose Override from the list to enable the override for the selected dimension.
  3. Modify the desired properties, such as text height, text style, or arrowhead style, to customize the dimension appearance.
  4. Once you have made the necessary changes, press Enter to apply the override.

The selected dimension will now display the overridden properties, which differ from the default dimension style. This allows you to have specific dimensions with customized styles within your drawing.

To complete this tutorial, please refer to the following image:

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