Dimension > Arc Length, Points (Annotate Menu)

This command can be used to measure the arc length of a circle part, shown by its center, radius, start and end points. It can also be used to measure the length of arcs which are not part of an existing circle part.

The center of the reference circle part can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing.

The reference circle's radius can be entered with the mouse by clicking anywhere in the drawing at a point through which the reference circle should run.

The reference circle part's start angle can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The position of this point relative to the center point determines the start angle.

The reference circle part's end angle can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The position of this point relative to the center point determines the end angle.

The reference arc's appearance is determined by the current arc direction. This is specified using the command Toggle Arc Direction (F2), with the F2 key or the button in the panel. If the arc direction is positive, the circle part is drawn from the start angle to the end angle in a mathematically positive (i.e. counterclockwise) direction. If the arc direction is negative, the circle part is drawn from the start angle to the end angle in a mathematically negative (i.e. clockwise) direction (see graphic).

The resulting reference arc is shown during entry, and changes if the arc direction is changed during entry.

After entering the circle part and the angle to be measured, the position of the dimension line and the dimension text must be specified. To do this, several points have to be entered. How many, and which, points have to be entered, depends on the specified dimension parameters.

When choosing the Change Parameters (+ESC) command, the "Dimension With Line" dialog appears where this command's parameters can be specified.

If "Display Dimension Line" is enabled:

The position of the dimension line is determined by the position of a point through which it should run. If a particular distance has been entered, then the point determines the approximate position of the dimension line. This point can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing.

If "Center Dimension Text" or "Close Dimension Text" is not set:

The position of the dimension text can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The positioning of the dimension text can be restricted with the "Center Dimension Text" and "Close Dimension Text".

If "Rotate Dimension Text" is set:

The dimension text direction can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The location of this position relative to the dimension text position determines the dimension text's rotation angle.

After entering all the parameters, the measurement is made. If the "Tolerances" check box was enabled in the dimension parameters, then the "Dimension Number and Tolerances" dialog appears, in which the tolerances and supplementary dimension text can be specified.

The dimension is not automatically assigned to the current layer. Instead, the command Layers > Defaults is used to decide whether they should be assigned to the current layer, or another specified layer. The same goes for pens, which can be assigned using the command Pens > Defaults.

You can use Advanced Text Capabilities (consisting of Formatting, Attributes, Variables, Statements, Mathematical Terms) in all texts, dimensions, variables, and attributes!

A dimension contains two property sets - one for the dimension line, and one for the dimension text. For example, this makes it possible to show the dimension text in a different color to the dimension line or assign the dimension text to a different layer from the dimension line. If the command Modify > Object Properties > Edit is used on a dimension, you can switch between the two property sets by clicking the corresponding tab. This allows you to view and alter both property sets separately.