Why use 'Add Dimension'?
Use Add Dimension to locate sketch-elements.
Add Dimension can define Distances, Radii, and Angles.
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:
Note: If the dimension you want to add is already defined, with dimensions or with other constraints, then you cannot add a 'driven' dimension.
| 3. | Click one or more sketch-elements to dimension 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 the Dimension dialog-box |
| • | Click the  button |
OR
| • | Press the 'enter' key on you keyboard |
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The Dimension is now in the graphic-area.
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To edit a Dimension:
A command cannot be active. If necessary:
| 1. | De-select or any other command cannot be active]. |
In the graphic-area:
| 2. | Double-click the arrowhead of a dimension element |
Note: We recommend you click the arrowhead because it more difficult to click the dimension-lines or extension-lines.
MechDesigner does not respond if you click the Dimension Value/Number..
See How to open a Dialog-box
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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: 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.
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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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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[apex] 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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