Why use 'Add Dimension'?
Use Add Dimension to add dimensions to locate sketch-elements.
Add Dimension can define Distances and Angles.
See more 'How to add a dimension'.
Top-Tip - Learn how to edit a dimension in the dimension dialog-box!
Add Dimension
 R13 |
Toolbar:
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Left-side of the Part-Editor graphics-area
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Menu:
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To Add a Dimension:
| 1. | Click Add Dimension in the Sketch-Elements toolbar |
| 2. | Click one or more sketch-elements |
Add a dimension to locate a Point, dimension a distance, a radius, and an angle.
See more details below
The dimension shows near to your mouse pointer
- or -
If the dimension you want to add is already defined, with dimensions or with other constraints, then the dimension does not show.
| 3. | Click in the graphic-area to place the dimension and extension lines next to your mouse-pointer. |
The Dimension dialog-box opens.
| 4. | Edit the dimension in the dialog-box |
| 5. | To close the the Dimension dialog-box |
| • | Click the  tick button |
OR
| • | Press the 'enter' key on you keyboard [R13.2+] |
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The Dimension is now in the graphic-area.
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To open the Dimension dialog-box again so that you can edit a dimension:
| 1. | If necessary, de-select Add Dimension ['Add Dimension' cannot be active]. |
| 2. | Double-click the arrowhead of the dimension element |
or
| 1. | Click the arrowhead of the dimension element |
Note - we recommend the arrowhead because it is is easier than the dimension-lines or extension-lines.
MechDesigner does not respond if you click the Dimension Value/Number..
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Notes:
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| • | When sketch-elements are fully defined, you cannot add a new dimensions or constraints. You can use the Measurement FB in the Mechanism-Editor to add a 'Driven Dimension'*. |
| • | Generally, do not make a dimension zero. It is better to add a constraint [See Sketch-Constraints toolbar] to move Lines or Points together. |
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See also:
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Dimension Font Size
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How to add a dimension to:
Specify the location of a Point in a Part in one of two ways:
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Examples
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Dimension
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How?
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Selection-Window
Geometry-Tree
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| • | Shortest distance between two Points |
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DimPtoPn
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| • | Perpendicular distance between a Point and a Line |
| • | You can also use the X–axis and the Y–axis as a line. |
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| • | Click the Point then the Line (note Arcs, Circles and Lines have Points) |
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DimPtoLn
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 Use 'Lock & Specify' in the Point Vector and Location dialog box
Example
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Dimension
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Selection-Window
Geometry-Tree
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| • | 'Lock and Specify' the exact location of a Point in a Part. |
| • | The Point cannot be moved accidentally. |
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Pointn
Note:
You cannot 'Lock and Specify' the Point if it has zero or one degree-of-freedom.
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How?
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| 1. | Double-Click a Point in the Part-Editor |
- or -
| 1. | Double-Click a Point in the Mechanism-Editor |
The Point Vector Display and Location dialog-box opens.
| 2. | Select the Lock and Specify check box. |
| 3. | Enter 'x' and 'y' values for the Point, with Part Coordinates |
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You can drag a Point sketch-element in the Mechanism-Editor:
If you:
| • | Add a Point sketch-element |
| • | Do not add a Dimension or a Constraint to the Point sketch-element |
and you
| • | Add a Trace-Point to the Point in the Mechanism-Editor |
and the
| • | Part is a kinematically-defined Part. |
Note: The drag option does not apply to a Point at the end of a Line or Arc sketch-element - it must be a Point sketch-element
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Example
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Dimension:
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How?
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Selection-Window
Geometry-Tree
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Dimn
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| • | Distance between two parallel Lines |
| • | Distance between an axis and a parallel Line |
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| 1. | Click a Point at the end of one of the Lines |
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DimLtoLn
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| • | Shortest distance between two Points |
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DimPtoPn
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| • | Horizontal Distance between Points |
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| 1. | Add a Vertical Line from one of the Points |
| 2. | Click the Line and the other Point |
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| • | Vertical Distance between Points |
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| 1. | Add a Horizontal Line from one of the Points |
| 2. | Click the Horizontal Line and the other Point. |
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| • | Perpendicular distance between a Point and a Line [or axis]. |
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Top-tip: Click the Point then the Line [or axis].
Note: Arcs, Circles and Lines have Points.
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DimPtoLn
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Example
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Dimension:
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How?
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In Selection-Window as:
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| • | Click the Circumference of the Circle |
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DimRadiusn
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| • | Click the Radius of the Arc |
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DimRadiusn
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Example
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Dimension:
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How?
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In Selection-Window as:
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| • | Angle between an axis and a Line |
*The angle is between the intersection of the Line 'rays', even if the Lines do not cross.
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The displayed angle has rules. See Below
Bug: When you edit an angle: sometimes the angle does not like passing through 180. If MechDesigner hangs, then please wait, maybe a minute!
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DimAngLtoLn
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Angle between two Lines - Rules: The dimension shows next to your pointer when you select two Lines. Before you click your mouse again to define the displayed angle, select which angle to display; from a possible eight:
| • | If you move your mouse (in a circular fashion) 'anti-clockwise' around the *intersection of the two Lines, MechDesigner draws the angle less than 180° for the four angle possibilities – the 'acute', the 'obtuse', the 'supplementary' or the 'vertical' angle. |
| • | If you move your mouse (in a circular fashion) 'clockwise' around the *intersection of the two Lines, the four 'reflex' angles to the four 'anti-clockwise' angle possibilities are displayed. |
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| • | Angle between three Points |
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| • | Click the Point that will form the apex of the angle, followed by the other two Points. |
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DimAngPPPn
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