How to dimension in AutoCAD

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Chapter 5
Dimensioning in AutoCAD
Topics

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Dimensioning: Topics
Summary
5.1) Introduction
5.2) Dimension Commands
5.3) Dimension Style
5.4) Dimension Variables
5.5) The DIM Prompt
5.6) Associative Dimensions
5.7) Annotative Objects

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
Summary

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Summary
 What will we learn in Chapter 5?
→ The skills necessary to dimension an
orthographic projection.
 Key points
→ By default, dimensions are associative. If
you manually type in a dimension, the
associativity is broken.

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.1) Introduction

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Introduction
 AutoCAD automatically creates the
dimensions and dimension text once a
feature is selected.
 Dimension appearance and properties
may be adjusted in the Dimension Styles
Manager window.

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.2) Dimension Commands

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Dimensions Panel

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Leaders Panel
Collect
Multileaders
Align Multileader

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.3) Dimension Style

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Dimension Style
 The Dimension Style Manager is used to
create:
→ New dimension styles,
→ set the current style,
→ modify styles,
→ set overrides on the current style,
→ and compare styles.
 Access using: DDIM, DIMSTYLE or from
the Dimensions panel

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Multileader Style
 The Multileader Style Manager is used
to create:
→ New multileader styles,
→ set the current style,
→ and modify styles,
 Access using: MLEADERSTYLE or from
the Leaders panel.

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.4) Dimension Variables

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Dimension Variables
 Dimension appearance may be
modified by changing dimension
variables.
→ These variables may be set in the
Dimension Styles Manager.
 It is not uncommon to change some of
these variables on the fly within the
Command window.

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Dimension Variables
 Commonly used dimension variables
→ DIMSCALE: This command sets the overall
size or scale factor of the dimensions.
→ DIMTIX: Forces dimension text inside
extension lines.
→ DDEDIT: Edits dimension text.
→ DIMCEN: Controls size of the center marks
drawn by diameter and radial dimensions.
→ UPDATE: Applies the changes.
 Other variables are given in section 5.4)

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Dimensioning
 Creating and modifying dimensions.
Live Demonstration

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.5) The DIM Prompt

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The DIM Prompt
 Within the Dim prompt (the dimension
mode), you can type in dimensioning
commands that allow you to create and
modify dimensions.
→ DIM: Accessed the DIM prompt.
→ EXIT: Exits the DIM prompt.

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.6) Associative Dimensions

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Associative Dimensions
 Associative dimensions are associated
(connected) with the dimensioned
object.
→ If the object is changed, the associated
dimension value will change.
Live Demonstration

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Associative Dimensions
 Associativity is broken if...
→ You manually type in the dimension text
→ replace the dimension text
→ EXPLODE the dimension
 Multileaders are not associative.

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
5.7) Annotative Objects

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Annotative Objects
 Annotative objects support multiple
viewport scales. (Dimension, text, hatches ...)
1:1 scale
1:2 scale

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Annotative Objects
 Annotative objects support multiple
viewport scales. (Dimension, text, hatches ...)
1:1 scale
2:1 scale

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Annotative Objects
 Each supported scale adds to the file
size.

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Annotation Scaling Panel

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Dimensioning in AutoCAD
End