8. Select the rightmost point of the shape. AutoCAD will automatically position the base dimension above the rest. Your drawing will be something like the one shown in fig. 5.17.

Figure: 5.17. Base dimension insertion

We've covered how to create and place dimensions in a drawing. However, this is only part of the process. In this section, you will learn how to control the appearance of dimension objects using dimension styles.

A dimension style is a collection of parameters stored under a specific name and applied to dimensions as settings. Dimension styles control the appearance and behavior of the dimension: the arrowhead used, the text style, the allowed values \u200b\u200band formatting, and the overall scale of the dimension.

Dimension styles function like text or layer styles: you set a specific style to the current one, and any new objects are created using the settings contained in that style. Dimension styles are controlled using the DIMSTYLE command.

When you run the DIMSTYLE command, a dialog box opens Dimension Style Manager (Size style manager) (fig. 5.18). In this window you can create and modify the dimension style.

Figure: 5.18. Dimension Style Manager Window

In field Styles (Styles) Dimension styles are displayed. Drop-down list List (List) allows you to specify which styles should be shown in the field Styles(Styles). You can choose to display all styles or just those used in the drawing.

Also, using the checkbox Don "t list styles in Xrefs (Do not list styles in Xref) You can select whether to show or hide dimension styles contained in xrefs (Xref).

In the area of Preview of (Preview) shows an example of using the currently selected dimension style. The buttons on the right side of the window allow you to create, change, cancel and compare dimension styles.

AutoCAD comes with a predefined default dimension style - ISO-25. It can be changed, renamed, and even deleted if it is not listed as current. Style options ISO-25 are defined in the template file used to create the drawing.

To create a new dimension style, click the button New (New) in the dialog box Dimension Style Manager (Dimension style manager). As a result, a window will appear Create New Dimension Style (Create a new dimension style) (Fig. 5.19).

Figure: 5.19. New Dimension Style Dialog Box

When you create a new dimension style, AutoCAD makes a copy of the existing style as a starting point. In the window Create New Dimension Style (Create New Dimension Style) You must give a name to the new dimension style and specify which style to copy to use as a base. You can also create a style that only applies to dimensions of a specific type. For example, you may want all text dimension values \u200b\u200bto line up with dimension lines, but text radius and diameter dimensions are placed horizontally. In such cases, so-called child styles are used, which arise as sub-styles of the main dimension style.

Note

If you select a child dimension style in the Create New Dimension Style dialog box, only those dimension style options that differ from the parent are displayed in the Dimension Style Manager in the Preview of area. The Description area shows the differences between parent and child styles.

Create a new dimension style and apply it to the drawing shown in Fig. 5.20.

Figure: 5.20. Original drawing

1. Run the DDIM command. A dialog box will appear Dimension Style Manager (Dimension style manager). Click on the button New (New) to open a window Create New Dimension Style (Create a new dimension style).

2. Enter the name Mech in the field New Style Name (New Style Name) and make sure the list contains Start With (Start with) style selected ISO-25, and in the list Use for (Use for) - value All dimensions (All sizes). Click the button Continue (Proceed). A window will appear on the screen New Dimension Style (New style of size).

3. Change, for example, in the tab Text (Text) switch position Text align ment (Text alignment) on Horizontal (Horizontally).

4. Click the button OK, to accept the setting change. You will see the window again Dimension Style Manager (Dimension style manager). The new dimension style appears in the box Styles (Styles).

5. Press the button Close (Close) to end the DIMSTYLE command.

6. Place the linear dimensions. At the same time, your drawing should look something like the one shown in fig. 5.21.

Figure: 5.21. The result of applying the new dimension style

To change the parameters of a dimension style, select its name in the window Dimension Style Manager (Dimension Style Manager) and click the button Modify (Edit). A window will open Modify Dimension Style (Change Dimension Style), containing seven tabs containing settings for various aspects of dimensions.

Tab Lines (Lines) is designed to control dimension and extension lines (Fig. 5.22).

Figure: 5.22. Dimension line options

Region Dimension lines (Dimension lines) allows you to set the color (Color),a type (Linetype) and thickness (Lineweight) dimension lines, as well as the spacing between them, used when creating base dimensions. Field Extend beyond ticks (Override Labels) is only available when specific types of arrowheads are specified. For example, if you are using an architectural label, the parameter Extend beyond ticks (Outside marks) indicates how much the dimension line will extend beyond the marks. You can also make the dimension line invisible on either side of the text value (check boxes Dim line 1 and Dim line 2). This is useful for dimensioning in cluttered areas, where lines often crowd out the text dimension value.

Region Extension lines (Leader lines) contains similar options for extension lines. You can set the color, type, and thickness of the leader lines, adjust their length, and specify the gap between the leader line and the object you are dimensioning.

Tab Symbols and Arrows (Symbols and arrows) allows you to set the size and type of the used directional arrows (Fig. 5.23).

Figure: 5.23. Symbol and arrow options

You can set different arrowheads for the first and second dimension lines, as well as a separate arrow for the guidelines (Leader).Region Center marks (Center marks) is used to define the size and type of center marks. Here you can specify how the center marks will be displayed in the dimensions of the radius and diameter, as well as configure the creation of center mark lines with the DIMCENTER command.

You can break the dimension or extension lines at the intersection with geometric objects or other dimensions. While this is not a recommended drawing practice, sometimes such breaks are necessary, so the area Dimension break (Dimension gap) it is possible to set the size of such a gap.

Parameters in the area Arc length symbol (Arc Length Symbol) are responsible for where the arc length symbol is displayed when using the DIMARC command. In field Jog angle (Zigzag Angle) indicates the angle of the zigzag section of the line used when the DIMJOGGED command is executed.

Tab Text (Text) controls the placement and appearance of the text (Figure 5.24). In the area of Text appearance (Text Type) you can set the text style used. Pressing the ellipsis button brings up a dialog box Text Style (Text style) where you can create and modify text styles. In addition, on this tab, you can customize the color and background of the text, as well as set the display of a frame around the text by checking the box Draw frame around text (Draw a frame around the text).

Figure: 5.24. Text options

Options Text height (Text Height) and Fraction height scale (Fraction Height Scale) controls the height of the text. Coefficient Fraction height scale (Fraction Height Scale) is applied to the text of the numerator and denominator in the fraction. For example, if the text height is set to 0.12 5, and the fraction height is scaled to 0.5, then the numerator and denominator must be 0.0625 in order to fit together into the total height of the fraction.

In the area of Text placement (Text Placement) You can set the placement of text in relation to dimension and extension lines. Dropdown Vertical(Vertical) You can select the position of the text value relative to the dimension line: above, below, or in the center. If you choose the value JIS,the text size will be located according to the Japanese Industry Standard. List Horizontal (Horizontal) specifies the placement of text in relation to the extension lines: you can place text near the first or second extension lines, or extend it over any extension line. From the list View Direction (Viewing direction) You can select the direction of the text: left to right or right to left. In field Offset from dim line(Offset from dimension line) sets the space between the line and the text value of the dimension.

Tab Fit (Fitting) controls the behavior and scale of dimensions (Figure 5.25). Here you can specify what happens to the dimensions if AutoCAD is unable to place dimension lines and text value between the extension lines at the same time.

Figure: 5.25. Fit and scale options

Using the settings located in the area Text placement (Text Placement), you can determine where the text will be placed if it is not in the default position.

For example, if a drawing needs to be printed to scale 1/8"=1"–0", you must scale all annotations in your drawing by a factor of 96. Since the drawing is scaled down for printing, this ensures that the annotation is the correct size. Switch Scale for dimension features (Scale for Dimension Properties) controls the overall scale of the dimension feature annotation.

Attention!

It is important to note that the Scale for dimension features setting only affects the size of the dimension objects (lines, text) themselves, not the dimension values.

Use overall scale of (Use Shared Scale) is a scale factor that is applied to all dimension properties. For example, if the text values \u200b\u200band directional arrows are 0.125 high and the overall scale is 2, AutoCAD will display the text and directional arrows at a 0.25 scale.

Overall scale (switch position Use overall scale of (Use full scale)) is most often used when dimensions are placed in modeling space (drawing area) and you are displaying a drawing view in that space. If you bring the drawing out of the layout (sheet) space, you can set the switch to Scale dimensions to layout(Scale dimensions for layout). In this case, AutoCAD will automatically scale all dimension properties to the scale of the layout viewport. This is useful when one drawing contains many views and graphical scales.

In the area of Fine tuning (Fine Tuning) You can set some additional parameters of the dimension view. If the checkbox is checked Place text manually(Place Text Manually), an additional tooltip appears when creating dimensions, allowing you to locate the text value of the dimension after you locate the dimension line.

Checked box Draw dim line between ext lines (Draw dimension line between extension lines) forces the dimension line to fit between the extension lines, regardless of the location of the text value.

Tab options Primary Units (Basic units) are intended for formatting the text value of the size (Fig. 5.26). In the area of Linear dimensions (Linear dimensions), you can specify how the units are displayed, and in the area Angular dimensions (Angular dimensions) - How the angular dimensions will look.

Figure: 5.26. Formatting options for text value dimension

Parameter Unit format (Unit Format) sets the unit format for all sizes except angular. It is usually configured to match the units of the drawing. In addition to the standard settings, you can also select units Desktop Windows that use the options located in the window language and regional standards (fig.5.27).

Figure: 5.27. Windows regional settings window

This window can be invoked by running the command Start\u003e Control Panel and clicking on the icon in the window that opens Language and regional standards.

Using a list Units format (Unit format) in area Angular dimensions(Angular dimensions) you can control the display of angular dimensions: Decimal degrees (Decimal degrees), Degrees Minutes Seconds (Degrees, minutes, seconds), Gradians (Grads) or Radians (Radians).

Parameter Precision (Precision) controls the number of decimal places in the text size. It only affects the display of the text value, without altering the geometry of the drawing or affecting the actual measured value of the dimension.

Dropdown Fraction format (Fraction Format) You can select the display option for fractions. This setting is available only when the list Unit format (Unit format) item selected Architectural (Architectural) or Fractional (Fractional). This parameter is used in conjunction with Fractional height scale (Fraction Height Scale) on the tab Text (Text).

If the list Unit format (Unit format) value selected Decimal (Decimal) then dropdown Decimal separator (Decimal separator) You can set the character used as the decimal separator.

In field Round off (Rounding) sets the rounding rule for dimensions of all types except corner. If you enter 0.25, all distances are rounded to the nearest 0.25 from the unit. If you enter 1.0, all measured distances are rounded to the nearest whole number. The number of digits displayed after the decimal point depends on the parameter value Precision (Accuracy).

In field Prefix (Prefix) You can set a prefix for the text value of the dimension. The specified text will be placed before the default value. You can enter any text in this field or use control codes to display special characters. For example, the control code %% C is responsible for displaying the diameter symbol.

In field Suffix (Suffix) you can also specify additional text, but in this case it will be placed after the default value. For example, you can enter the inch character (") and the program will insert it after each dimension value.

Region Measurement scale (Measurement Scale) contains options to define the scale factor for the default dimension values. Parameter Scale factor (Scale factor) defines the scale factor for linear measurements. The value of any linear dimension is multiplied by this factor, and the final value is used as the default text. For example, if you set a dimension scale factor to 2, then the text dimension value for a 1 "line will be displayed as 2". The value does not apply to angular measurements, rounding, or positive or negative tolerances.

If the checkbox is checked Apply to layout dimensions only (Apply only to layout dimensions), the scaled size value will only apply to dimensions created in layouts (view sheet space).

Settings in the area Zero suppression (Suppress Zeros) controls the display of leading and trailing zeros in text dimension values. For example, if you are using decimal units, check the box Leading(Leading) means that the value 0.5000 will be displayed as 5000. When checked Trailing The (final) size 12.5000 will look like 12.5.

Using fields Sub-units factor (Subsize factor) and Sub-units suffix(Sub-size suffix) You can specify the sub-size factor and suffix. For example, if the unit is 1 m, you can specify a sub-size factor of 100 and a sub-size suffix cm. In this case, when the size value is less than 1, for example 0.45, 45 cm will be displayed instead of 0.45 m.

Checkboxes 0 feet (0 in feet) and 0 inches (0 in inches) controls the display of zeros in dimensions expressed in feet and inches. For example, if the checkbox 0 feet (0 in feet) is checked, a value of 0 "8" will display as 8 ". When checked 0 inches (0 in inches) a value of 12 "0" will display as 12 ".

Tab Alternate units (Alternative units) allows you to display dimensions in two different formats (fig. 5.28). A typical example is displaying dimensions in both millimeters and inches at the same time, for example 2.00. Tab Alternate units (Alternate Units) contains options similar to the settings in the tab Primary Units (Basic units). To allow the use of alternate units, select the checkbox Display alternate units (Display alternative units).

Figure: 5.28. Alternate unit options

Parameter value Unit format (Unit format) and Precision (Accuracy) does not differ from similar settings on the tab Primary Units (Basic units). When using fractional formats (architectural and fractional), you can choose between framed and uncomposed fraction types.

Settings Multiplier for alt units (Multiplier for alternate units) and Round distances to (Round distances to) define the conversion factor between the primary and alternative units. For example, to convert inches to millimeters, enter a factor of 25.4. This value does not affect angular dimensions. Setting up Round distances to (Round Distance To) lets you apply rounded values \u200b\u200bto alternate dimensions. This rounding value is independent of the primary unit rounding value.

Options Prefix (Prefix), Suffix (Suffix) and checkboxes in the area Zero supression (Suppression of zeros) are set in the same way as for base units. For example, to place mm after the alternate units, enter Suffix (Suffix) the corresponding value.

By switch Placement (Placement) you can choose where the alternate units will be displayed: after the main value (After primary value) or under it (Below primary value).

Tab Tolerances (Tolerances) is designed to control the display and values \u200b\u200bof tolerances for both basic and alternative units (Fig.5.29). Setting up Method (Method) controls the display of tolerances. Parameter Precision (Precision) and checkboxes in areas Zero supression (Suppression of zeros) works the same way as in tabs Primary Units (Basic units) and Alternate units (Alternative units), but only control the tolerance values.

Figure: 5.29. Tolerance parameters

In the fields Upper value (Upper limit) and Lower value (Lower limit) You can set the upper and lower limits of the tolerance parameter values.

Using the field Scaling for height (Scaling for Height), you can set the relative size of the text tolerance value. This is the scale factor multiplied by the base unit text height. For example, if you specify a value of 0.5, the tolerance text will be half the size of the base unit.

In the list Vertical position (Vertical Position) select the vertical position of the main text value of the dimension in relation to the tolerance text: Bottom (From below) Middle (Middle) or Top (Top).

Let's look at how to modify an existing sizing style.

1. Run the DIMSTYLE command to bring up the dialog box Dimension Style Manager (Dimension style manager).

2. Select the dimension style you created earlier Mech and click on the button Modify(Edit). A dialog box will appear Modify Dimension Style (Change dimension style).

3. On the tab Symbols and Arrows (Symbols and arrows) set the parameter Arrow size (Arrow size) value 0.125.

4. On the tab Text (Text) click the ellipsis button next to the list Text style (Text style). A dialog box will appear Text Style (Text style). Press the button in it New (New) and create a text style named DIM using romans.shx font. Click the button Apply (Apply) and then Close (Close) to return to the window Modify Dimension Style (Change dimension style).

5. Select from the list Text style (Text style) text style DIM, which you just created and set the parameter Text height (Text height) equal to 0.125.

6. Press the button OK, to save the sizing style changes and return to the window Dimension Style Manager (Dimension style manager). Choose size style Mech and click on the button Set Current (Set Current) to set this dimension style as current. Click the button Close (Close) to end the DIMSTYLE command. The dimensions associated with this style will be updated.

Any drawing in AutoCAD contains various sizes, which are an integral part of graphic information for workers in production, construction, management and many other industries. In this chapter, we covered the basic commands and interface elements in AutoCAD for inserting and editing linear and angular dimensions.

AutoCAD provides the user with a variety of tools for creating, modifying and updating dimensional objects. Effective use of dimension styles and the ability to properly set dimension parameters is the key to your success in AutoCAD.

It is recommended to set dimensions in AutoCAD after all types and elements of the drawing are ready. Having learned how to put them, you will understand how to change sizes in AutoCAD. The topic is very important, since the presence of dimensions distinguishes a drawing from an ordinary picture. Most sizes have tolerances and corresponding qualifications of manufacturing accuracy, a competent specialist is obliged to appoint and indicate them on the drawings. I will not teach you how to assign tolerances, but I will definitely show you how to specify values \u200b\u200bin AutoCAD.

The panel has only two buttons related to dimensions. Under the number 1 there is an opportunity to select the type of size, under the number 2 there is an automatic selection of the size, that is, the program itself determines what type of size the user wants to indicate (diameter, angle, arc length, etc.).

To select the size type manually, click on the triangle next to button 1 and see the possible options.

Before setting the dimensions, you need to adjust the style. Without the appropriate settings, the picture will look like this.

The length of the shaft is 280 millimeters, but at the same time, the arrowheads and their values \u200b\u200bare practically invisible. This indicates that nothing is configured. Setting up. So, in the panel, select "Annotations".

Then select the dimension style line. This is the second line with the size character. Click on the inscription "Standard" and then "Control Dimension Styles".

The current style must be edited with the necessary settings. In the line settings, you must specify the color and type of lines by layer. Specify the line weight 0.18 millimeters.

We set the step in base dimensions 10, then the color of the extension lines, as well as the type of the first and second lines - by layer. We also set the line weight to 0.18 millimeters, or 0.2 millimeters, which is not very important, zero offset from the object. Moving on to symbols and arrows.

In this section, it is enough to adjust the dimensions of the arrow and the location of the arc length above the dimension text. Optionally, you can choose how the arrows will look. The filled closed arrow is a classic look. One of the most interesting and important tabs is text.

Editing the color and placement of the text. I prefer vertical alignment in the center of the line, and orientation along the line. The location and size of the text of the dimension line in the drawing is regulated, pay attention to this. You need to edit the text style, or create a new one, for this, click the ellipsis next to the name of the default style. Shown in the picture with an arrow and number 1.

There is a choice to customize the current style, or create a new one. In a style, you can customize the font name, typeface, character height, stretch ratio and effect. The typeface can be regular, italic, bold, bold italic. Any height value can be chosen, but pay attention to the regulations. The stretch ratio is usually set to 0.8. After entering all the values, click "Apply" and go to the placement tab.

It doesn't make much sense to make changes in placement. Optionally, you can set the scale of the dimensions to the sheet and fit the elements. If you decide to fit the elements, I recommend manual placement.

The basic units allow you to determine the dimensional accuracy as well as the scale. In the tutorial, I said that when you scale, the dimensions change. In the base units section, you can enter a scale factor that will take into account the scale of the view.

The precision is responsible for the number of characters after the decimal point. Leave the scale by default, or assign the opposite to the drawing, so that the true values \u200b\u200bof the dimensions appear immediately.

It makes no sense to focus on alternative units, since they are used very rarely, and, if you wish, you can deal with them yourself.

In tolerances, we set deviations for the nominal size.

Choose a size type, or automatic size. To specify the diameter, select the size type diameter, for the radius, respectively, the radius. To edit any size, just double-click on it with the left mouse button and make changes.

In this lesson, I tried to explain how to make dimensions in AutoCAD, adjust the values \u200b\u200bof deviations, sizes and positions of the main elements. Now you know how to set dimensions in AutoCAD and you can answer,.

Anything that remains incomprehensible, please state it in the comments at the bottom of the page.

Answer: Theory: The size in the drawing shows the dimensions of the part or circuit: length, width, radius of a circle, hole diameter, wire twist pitch, etc. Dimensions in AutoCAD are needed in order to indicate to the installer, locksmith, or any other person who will manufacture the product according to your drawing - what size should this or that element of the drawing be made, what tolerances to take. In addition, the dimensions on the drawing in AutoCAD or Compass are a tribute to the Soviet era, in which it was customary to designate the dimensions of parts according to certain rules. These rules are called - the Unified System for Design Documentation (ESKD). Simply put, dimensions are nothing more than arrows with numbers. All of you have probably seen them sometime.

Practice: Now we will master in practice the techniques of specifying dimensions in the drawing in AutoCAD. Since almost all parts of the drawing represent some kind of geometric figure, you first need to figure out for yourself how to set the dimensions in the AutoCAD for such simple figures as a rectangle, a circle, 2 parallel lines, an angle. For dimensioning in AutoCAD there is a special item in the top menu, namely the item "Dimensions".

If you look at this item, you will see that there are different types of sizes: linear, parallel, angular, radius and others. All of them, in fact, represent a line with an arrow-pointer, as well as a numeric designation of the size above the arrow or inside the arrow (you can change it yourself). But the shape of the arrow will change depending on which geometric shape you set the size. Consider the main types dimensions in the drawing.

Linear dimension in drawing (straight line dimension)

In order to dimension in AutoCAD at a straight line, choose : Dimensions - Linear.I have prepared a segment in advance, the size of which I want to indicate. After the linear dimension is selected, you need to left-click the left and right ends of the segment once. A preview of the dimension will appear, which now needs to be raised to the height you want to make the leader line with the dimension. The size indicator can be omitted, but in ESKD it is customary to designate the size above the part. We left-click on the part of the screen where you want to place the dimension line, and our size is ready! Now you can not only put dimensions in autocad for a simple line, but also indicate almost all dimensions of parts. To apply the size of the part in the AutoCAD we do exactly the same, but now we mark with the mouse the start and end points of the part, and not the lines. There are 2 small remarks. The first concerns the case when you want to set the size of the part not completely, but say, the size half of the part. In this case, we mark the second point with the mouse not at the end of the part, but where you want to end the dimension line. If you have already drawn a dimension line and want to move it, this is easily done using the blue squares that appear when you select the size of the part with the right mouse button. Second important note. How to resize in AutoCAD? AutoCAD supplied the size (number) automatically. You can change this number in the size properties. To do this, do the following: 1. Select the dimension line with the left mouse button. 2. Right-click on the line with the size to call the menu Properties... I have Properties appeared as a window in the upper right corner of the screen.

3. Scroll down the field with properties, and find the item there Textwhich has a field Text string... This is what we need to resize in autocad... We write in it the value we need. The dimension above the dimension line has now changed.

In the same menu, you can set various size properties in AutoCAD, such as font, size, alignment, color, arrow type and much more. I will not describe in detail all the properties here. Who needs - see the menu Properties at the size. The size of the circle in AutoCAD (radius or diameter). They are essentially the same size, since the radius is half the diameter. Let's set the size for the previously prepared circle in AutoCAD. We choose: Size-Radiusmustache (or Dimensions-Diameter). Select 2 points on the circle with the left mouse button in the case of a diameter, or the center of the circle + one of the points on the circle in the case of a radius. It turns out one of the options:

The size (number) above the line changes in the same way as in the case of the linear size: PropertiesText - Text string.Parallel Dimension in AutoCAD Now let's try to put a parallel dimension - the dimension between two parallel lines in the drawing. For a change, I have drawn a rectangle, and I want to put the size between its two parallel sides. In the top autocad menu, select: Dimensions-Parallel.

With the left mouse button, select 2 lines of the rectangle in turn. We get the size between two parallel sides:

In principle, the example is not very successful, since here one could get by with a linear dimension. But if you need to put in AutoCAD the size between two parallel lines that are not connected to each other in any way, then in this case the parallel size will be simply irreplaceable. We already know how to change the number 40 (read above) Angular dimension in AutoCAD The penultimate example for today is the designation of the angular dimension. Let's say we have a triangle, and we need to indicate in degrees the value of one of its angles. We choose: Dimensions-Angular... Then, with the left mouse button, select two adjacent sides of the triangle, between which you need to set the size of the corner. Push Enterand our angular size is ready! In the drawing, it looks like this:

I talked about the most common types of dimensions in AutoCAD, and how they can be put on the drawing. Other types of sizes are used less frequently. When you choose a size from the menu Dimensions, AutoCAD offers to read tooltips on a blue background, looking at which, you can quickly figure out what to select and where to click to specify the size of the element. Multileader in AutoCAD: But what about the dimensions-leaders common in drawings, with the help of which extension dimensions are placed where another type of dimension does not fit, or where there is simply no place to indicate it?

This is done like this: Dimensions-Multileader, put the left mouse button on the place where the size arrow will point, and drag the multileader to the place on the screen where I have a shelf and it says “Leader”. AutoCAD immediately prompts you to enter your multileader text.