Why use 'Add Dimension'?
Use Add Dimension to locate sketch-elements.
See more 'How to add a dimension to:'
Add Dimension
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Toolbar :
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Menu :
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To Add a Dimension:
| 3. | Click sketch-elements to add a distance, a radius, or an angle |
The dimension shows near to your mouse-pointer.
| 4. | Click in the graphic-area to place the dimension and extension lines next to your mouse-pointer. |
The Dimension dialog-box opens.
| 5. | Edit the dimension in the dialog-box |
| 6. | Close the Dimension dialog-box |
| • | Click the  button |
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The Dimension is now in the graphic-area.
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To edit a Dimension:
| 1. | De-select all other commands |
In the graphic-area:
| 2. | Double-click the arrowhead of a dimension element |
Why the 'arrowhead'?
MechDesigner will not respond if you click the Dimension Value or Number
And, simply, it is more difficult to click the dimension-lines or extension-lines.
See How to open a Dialog-box
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Notes:
| • | When sketch-elements are fully defined, you cannot add a new 'driven-dimension'. |
As an alternative, 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: 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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Add Dimensions
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.
or, in other words, ...
... if the Point has a dimension, or any other constraint, you cannot specify its location with Lock and Specify
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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.
Expand Point Coordinates
| 2. | Select the Lock and Specify check-box. |
| 3. | Enter 'x' and 'y' values for the Point, with Part Coordinates |
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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
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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 eight possible angles:
| • | Move your mouse 'counter-clockwise' around the *apex of the two Lines, the 'acute', 'obtuse', 'supplementary', or the 'vertical' angle <180° will show. |
| • | Move your mouse 'clockwise' around the apex of the two Lines, the 'reflex' angles to the other angles will show. |
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Video:
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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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Locate a Point