Why use 'Add Dimension'?
Use Add Dimension to define the Length or Radius of a sketch-element, or the Distance, or the Angle between sketch-elements.
Note:you can also define the Distance, or an Angle, between the X-axis or Y-axis and a sketch-element.
See more How to add a dimension
Add Dimension
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Toolbar :
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Menu :
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To Add a Dimension:
| 2. | Part-Editor: Click sketch-elements to add a distance, a radius, or an angle |
The dimension shows near to your mouse-pointer.
| 3. | Part-Editor: 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. | Click  to close the Dimension dialog-box |
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The Dimension is now in the graphic-area.
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Notes:
| • | When sketch-elements are fully defined, you cannot add a driven-dimension. |
You can add Measurement FB in the Mechanism-Editor as 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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To edit a Dimension:
| 1. | De-select all other commands |
| 2. | Double-click the arrowhead of a dimension element |
Why the 'arrowhead'?
MechDesigner will not respond if you click the Dimension 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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How to add a dimension:
Locate 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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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 the Point
or
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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 a Circle |
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DimRadiusn
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| • | Click the Radius of an 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 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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| • | Angle between an axis and a Line |
The Lines do not need to 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, you can select which angle to display.
There are eight possible angle dimensions:
| • | 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, and the 'reflex' angles to the other angles will show. |
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Video:
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