Dimension Datum

Dimension: Datum

Dimension Links

Dimensions

Dimension Attach

Dimension Position

Dimension Style

Technical Palette

The Datum tab view provides access to the primary parameters of a Dimension Graphic. The actual dimension text is shown in the partially editable text view near the top. You may enter text before and after the dimension text. You cannot alter the dimension text, it is linked to the reported parameter of the target graphic.

You must select the actual dimension graphic to work with its parameters. Selection of the target graphic doesn't provide access to the dimension. This is because a particular target graphic may have several dimensions attached to it, and note that the dimension object is itself a graphic.

The text view at the top shows the actual dimension text. It may be edited, before or after the dimension prefix, values, and unit labels.

The Precision popup menu allows the specification of the number of decimal places shown. Dimensions use a fixed numeric format defined by your selection for this parameter. If Fraction form is chosen, the popup menu displays a choice for fraction precision; if decimal form is selected the number of decimal points is the choice.

The checkbox to the right of the Precision popup menu controls the presence of a leading zero for fractional-only values. Uncheck the checkbox to show pure fractional values without a zero to the left of the deciaml point.

The Units popup specifies the format of the suffix of the dimension text. You may choose None, Units, Abbreviation, or Punctuation. Punctuation applies only to feet,inches, and degrees.

The Form popup specifies how numbers should be displayed, Decimal, Fraction, Feet/Inches or Alternate. Alternate provides for decimal representation showing the primary units as specified on the Scale palette for the whole drawing and the metric/inches value in parenthesis.

The Format popup is just like the Format on the text annotation palette - with one addition. The Dimension option places the dimension text in a little box that interrupts the dimension-arrow line. This is a traditional format common on engineering drawings. You may also select any of the other Annotation formats such as Along or contoured if appropriate.

The Report popup is most useful for the Comment Dimensions used to annotate attributes such as a radius or angle. After a Comment Dimension is attached to a graphic you can use this menu to select the reporting of a particular variable. In the Auto mode the reported parameter is selected automatically by context.

The text view at the top of the palette provides access to font and font style attributes. Managing the text attributes is documented on the Annotation: Text Management Panel accessed on the Tools:Text main menu. Follow the above link for more on these capabilities.

The units used for the dimension are those of the drawing as defined on the Scale Parameter Panel accessed on the Format main menu. The Dimension parameter palette allows selection of many format and display parameters, but the actual units (mm, inches, points, etc) are defined by the global drawing scale. If the units are changed on the scale panel all dimensions will change to the new units.