Using the Dimension Feature in AutoCAD
Notice/ Disclaimer
Your UI (User Interface) might slightly differ from the one shown in this tutorial depending on the AutoCAD version used. Therefore it is highly advised to follow the global process as one whole knowledgeable entity (as it is) for educational purposes only.
Actually, the AutoCAD © version used in this tutorial is the 2013 edition.
The site is not responsible for any data loss or harm of any kind, resulting from a bad usage of the commands and tools listed in this post. Therefore the information contained in this article is provided as it is and is not to be modified under any condition.
With AutoCAD ©, you can easily add dimensions to your drawings. All you have to do is pick two points to be dimensioned plus the location where you want the dimension line to be placed, and that’s it! You are done so far!
Understanding the Components of a Dimension
- Dimension text: This is the dimension value, usually shown inside or above the dimension line.
- Dimension line: This is the line that represents the distance being dimensioned. It indicates the direction and extent of a dimension. For angular dimensions, the dimension line is an arc.
- Arrowheads: These are symbols displayed at each end of the dimension line, in different sizes and shapes, for arrowheads or tick marks.
- Extension lines are the lines that extend from the object being dimensioned to the dimension line.
- Dimension line extension: This is a part of the dimension line that extends beyond the extension line.
- Extension beyond the dimension line: Specifies a distance to extend the dimension line past the extension line.
- Offset from origin: Sets the distance to offset the extension lines from the points on the drawing that define the dimension.
- Offset from dimension line: Sets the distance to offset the dimension value (text) from the dimension line.
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Fig.1- The components of a dimension- Photo Source: www.autocadonline.eu |
Creating your First Dimension
How to Create a New Dimension Style in 4 Easy Steps?
Step #1- First open the Dimension Style Manager, and do the following: From the Home Tab go to the Annotation Panel and click on the small arrow below it which leads you to the Dimension Style button as shown in Fig.2 below.
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Fig.2- The Dimension Style Command Location, Photo Source: 101architechprojectsandblogs.com |
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Fig.3- The Dimension Style Manager, Photo Source: www.101architechprojectsandblogs.com |
Step #3- Clicking on the New… button shown above will let you create a new dimension style to add to the existing ones already in the drawing, displayed on the left side list of Styles: in the same opened dialog box.
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Fig.4- The Create New Dimension Style dialog box when prompted for a new dimension style, Photo Source: www.101architechprojectsandblogs.com |
Just follow the above steps #1- 2 as it is, but at step #3 click on the Modify... button instead of the New... button, then go to the Primary Units tab and set the Scale factor located in the Measurement scale box as required and needed. (see Fig.5)
I personally appreciate this option which made the dimensioning process a piece of cake, whatever the issue is!
It is useful to note anyway, that turning on the Object Snap (F3) while taking dimensions will make the whole process definitively 100% accurate with zero percent errors or according to the range of errors permitted.
Different Types of Dimensions
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- Linear (horizontal and vertical): Provide linear distance or point-to-point measurements within a straight line, vertical or horizontal.
- Aligned: Provide linear distance between two points within the 2D plan, even if not vertically or horizontally positioned.
- Radial (radius, diameter, arc): For measuring radial and diameters lengths.
- Angular: As its name indicates, this type of dimension is used to measure the angles between lines.
- Continuous: When we have continuity in distances to measure, this is the proper type to use; it starts dimensioning from where the last point ended.
- Baseline: Likely to the previous one, but with a single base point. (See Fig.6 above for more clarification)
- Leader: This is a special type of dimension if we can say, with no aim of measuring but only labeling and noting drawings, such as detailed sheets or other types of drawings.
- Ordinate (Xdatum, Ydatum): Designed to display the IDs of a specific point, which is usually stored within the log files, regarding its actual X and Y coordinates related to the current WCS – World Coordinates System.