Dimensions (Basics)

Dimensionings are used in technical drawings in order to display measures of elements that are required to manufacture the drafted object. Even though the measure itself is identical, there are several ways to display such a measure.

Two standard types of dimension display forms are used most drawings. Once a dimension command has been activated (e.g. Annotate > Dimension > Length, Points), the parameters of this command can be edited either by calling the Extras > Edit Parameters (+ESC) command or by pressing SHIFT+ESC.

The first standard method, using arrows as end symbols, is mainly used in engineering. The dimension line is terminated by a filled arrow on both sides, and it is aligned to the extension lines that connect the dimension line with the measured object:

In order to create such a dimension, the dimension line end must be displayed in the "Aligned" mode, the end symbol is a filled arrow.

The second standard display method is used for architectural dimensions. It uses sloping lines or filled circles instead of filled arrows, and the dimension line juts out the extension lines:

Architectural dimensions often use a modified number display mode that automatically converts values below one meter into centimeters and displays values below one centimeter in superscript digits. You can active this number display mode either in the coordinate system (see Coordinate Systems, Scales, Grids, etc.) that is assigned to the dimension (button "Numbers", entry "Length Display"), or directly in the dimension parameters that you can reach as described above.

A typical architectural dimension looks like this:

Each dimension is assigned to a coordinate system from which it retrieves the required information about the scale, length and angle units, and the desired number display mode. The assignment of the coordinate systems is also done in the dimension's parameters. By using multiple coordinate systems you can realize different scales and/or dimension types within one drawing.