Add Dimension
Dimensions you can add:
•Distance between Points*
•Length of a Line**
•Radius of a Circle or Arc
•Perpendicular (shortest) Distance from a Point* to a Line**, X-axis, or Y-axis
•Angle between two Lines, or the Angle from the X-axis or Y-axis to a Line**
•Angle between three Points*
* Point, start-Point, end-Point, and center-Point.
** Line or CAD-Line
Notes:
Usually, do not make a dimension zero. It is better to add a constraint. See Sketch-Constraints
See How to add dimensions, How to edit a dimension.
See also: Number-Format: Precision and Digits, Dimension Font Size, Show Dimension Names
Add Dimension - menu or toolbar
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To Add a Dimension:
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1.Click > (left of graphics-area)
OR
1.Click |
2.Click the sketch-element, or sketch-elements, to add a linear or angular dimension - see below How to Add a Dimension
The dimension shows near to your mouse-pointer.
3.Click in the graphics-area to place the dimension-line and extension-lines next to your mouse-pointer. |
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The Dimension dialog opens.
4.Edit the dimension in the dialog
5.Click  to close the Dimension dialog |
The is now in the graphics-area.
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How to EDIT a dimension:
1.Disable all other commands
2.Double-click the arrowhead of a dimension-line
Why the arrowhead?
•It is easier to click the arrowhead than the dimension-line or extension-line.
AND
•nothing happens if you click the dimension-number |
Add dimension:
* Point, start-Point, end-Point, and center-Point
** Line or CAD-Line
There are two methods to locate a .
Method 1: 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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 Between 2 Points |
•Minimum distance between two Points* |
•Click each Point* |
DimPtoPn
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 Perpendicular Distance |
•Perpendicular distance between a Point* and a Line**, X–axis, or Y–axis |
•Click the Point* then the Line**
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DimPtoLn
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Method 2: Use the Point Properties dialog
This method is possible:
•only with a sketch-element
It is not possible with a start-Point, center-Point, center-Point
AND
•not possible if the has a dimension or constraint
Example
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Dimension
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Selection-Window / Geometry-Tree
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 Point Properties dialog |
•Lock and Specify the exact location of a Point* in a Part. |
Pointn
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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 Properties dialog opens - see left
Expand Point Coordinates
2.Select the Lock and Specify check-box.
3.Enter 'x' and 'y' values for the Point*, with Part Coordinates
* in this case, ONLY 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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•Length of a Line**
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1.Click the Line** |
Dimn
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•Distance between two parallel Lines**
•Distance from Y-axis (or X-axis) to a Vertical (or Horizontal) Line** |
1.Click a Point* at one end of the Line**
2.Click the other Line** (or axis). |
DimLtoLn
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•Shortest distance between two Points* |
1.Click each Point* |
DimPtoPn
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•Horizontal Distance between two Points* |
1.Add a Vertical Line** from one of the Points*
2.Click the Point** and then the Vertical Line** |
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•Vertical Distance between Points* |
1.Add a Horizontal Line** from one of the Points*
2.Click the Point* then the Horizontal Line** |
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•Shortest distance between a Point* and a Line** (or axis) |
1.Click the Point* then the Line** (or axis)
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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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•Radius of a Circle
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•Click the Circumference of a Circle |
DimRadiusn
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•Radius of an Arc |
•Click the Radius of an Arc |
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 is the apex of the angle, followed by the other two Points*.
The angle is the clockwise angle from the second Point* to the third Point* you click.
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DimAngPPPn
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•Angle between two Lines**
•Angle between an axis and a Line**
The Lines** do not need to cross.
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•Click each Line**
The angle that we display for you has rules.
See RULES, below
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DimAngLtoLn
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RULES: There are eight possible angle dimensions:
Before you click your mouse again to fix the angle dimension between the Lines**, you can select which angle to display.
•Move your mouse counter-clockwise around the apex of the two Lines**, to show the acute, obtuse, supplementary, or the vertical angle <180°.
•Move your mouse clockwise around the apex of the two Lines**, to show the reflex angles to the other angles. |
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Video:
8 possible angles between two Lines
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URL of this topic:
http://mechdesigner.support/index.htm?md-geometry-dimension.htm
Locate a Point
Distance