Why is the dimension 'negative' in the Dimension dialog'?
Contents
Why is my dimension negative?
When you add a dimension from a Line to a Point, the dimension itself can be Negative or Positive.
Why is this?
| • | The Line from which you dimension the point has its own X-Y Coordinate System. |
| • | The positive x–axis of the Line is from the start-Point to the end-Point' (the places where you mouse-button down and mouse-button up at each end of the Line) |
| • | Therefore, when looking along the positive x–axis of the Line, a |
| o | dimension to a Point that is to the positive X-axis of the Part, is negative with respect to the y-axis of the Line. |
| o | dimension to a Point that is to the negative X-axis of the Part, is positive with respect to the y-axis of the Line. |
When you add a dimension from the X or Y–axis of a Part, the dimension itself can be Negative or Positive.
Why is this?
| • | Each axis is treated as a Line. Thus, the axis itself has its own X-Y Coordinate System. |
| • | The less obvious case is the Y–axis: |
The positive X–axis of the Y–axis(!) is from the Origin and in the positive Y–axis direction. Therefore, when looking along the positive X–axis of the Y–axis, a
| o | dimension to a Point that is to left is negative. Therefore, a dimension to a Point in the +X–axis direction of the Part is negative. |
| o | dimension to a Point that is to right is positive. Therefore, a dimension to a Point that is in the -X–axis direction of the Part is positive. |
More Details
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Why is the Dimension along the X–axis negative? Note: X-axis, Y-axis : coordinate-system of Part, x-axis, y-axis : coordinate-system of element, and a Line. Dimension convention in MechDesigner: All Lines and Axes have a Coordinate System (Origin and +x,+y) . This includes the Part-axes : X–axis and the Y–axis. Each axis has an origin and a +x–axis direction and a +y–axis When we dimension using the Y–axis, or a Line in the Y-axis direction, then its +x–axis direction is along the +Y–axis of the Part. |
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In the image, the area with the 'patch' is all –ve in the Coordinate System of the Y–axis, or Line in the Y-axis Therefore, is this case, when we dimension the Point |
