MODULE 34

DIMENSIONING – PART 1

LEARNING OUTCOME

After the completion of this module, you will be able to:

 Describe the basic dimensions terms.

 Describe the properties of associative, non-associative and exploded
dimensions.
 Describe how to control and modify the appearance of dimensions
 Describe and apply the commands DIMASSOC, DIMASO and
DIMSTYLE commands.

Basic Dimension Terms

The following drawing shows the basic dimensioning terms you need to
understand when working with dimensions.

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There is a lot to learn in dimensioning in AutoCAD. Accordingly, we will divide this

topic into two modules and the advanced options will be discussed in the
customizing AutoCAD module.

Using AutoCAD System Variable: DIMASSOC

The DIMASSOC system variable controls the associativity of dimension objects. It

enables either associative, non-associative or exploded dimensions inserted in the
drawing. After starting the command can enter three options (0, 1and 2)

Command: DIMASSOC

Enter new value for DIMASSOC <2>: 0

DIMASSOC
is not stored
(The default value is 2)
in a
dimension
Command: DIMASSOC
style.
Enter new value for DIMASSOC <0>: 1

Command: DIMASSOC

Enter new value for DIMASSOC <1>: 2

0 Creates exploded dimensions. The lines, arcs, arrowheads, and text of a

dimension are drawn as separate objects.
1 Creates non-associative dimension objects. The elements of the dimension
are formed into a single object. If the definition point on the object moves, the
dimension value is updated.
2 Creates associative dimension objects. When you modify the object
dimensioned with an associative dimension with most editing command, the
dimension will change to reflect the changes of the object. The elements of the
dimension are formed into a single object, and one or more definition points of
the dimension are coupled with association points on geometric objects. If the
association point on the geometric object moves, the dimension location,
orientation, and value are updated.

Definition Points

The following applies for Definition points:

 They are inserted automatically in the drawing by dimension command.
 They are inserted for associative and non-associative dimensions.
 They placed on the Defpoints layer, which is automatically created when the
first associative or non-associative dimension is inserted in the drawing. This
layer can not be deleted.
 They will not plot.

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 In associative dimension, the points are attached to the object.

 For non-associative dimensions, the definition points move with Stretch
command since they are not connected to the object.

Using AutoCAD System Variable: DIMASO

The DIMASO system variable enables either non-associative or exploded

dimensions inserted in the drawing.

Command: DIMASO

Enter new value for DIMASO <ON>: OFF

DIMASO support will be discontinued, DIMASSOC has been set to 0.

Command: DIMASO
Enter new value for DIMASO <OFF>: ON
DIMASO support will be discontinued, DIMASSOC has been set to 1.

ON (1): Dimension will be inserted as a non-associative dimension.

OFF (0): Dimension will be inserted as exploded dimension

DIMASSOC is not available in 2000-2000i. You can use DIMISO instead.

For 2002-2006 versions use DIMASSOC.

Dimensioning Styles

Dimensioning style controls the way your dimensions appear in the drawing. The
dimension style Standard exists in each drawing and can not be deleted. You can
create your own dimension styles using the DIMSTYLE command.

Using The DIMSTYLE Command

Command Keyboard
Menu
input / Alias
Dimension>
DIMSTYLE
Dimension Style
DIMSTYLE /DIMSTL/
OR Format >
DDIM
Dimension Style

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Why Modifying and Creating Dimension Styles?

To understand why it is important to create and modify dimension styles, let us do

this exercise. Open a new drawing. Start with the template Acad.dwt. Draw a
rectangle (50 x 25 units) and dimension it.

25

50
Dimension the drawing by pressing Dimension then Quick
Dimension.

Probably you will get an object similar to the object shown below.

As you can see, the arrowheads and the text are not clearly seen. What we are
going to do now is creating a dimension style to get a result similar to the shown
below. On the other hand, the default dimension style Standard is ugly and the
best is to work with dimension styles other than it.

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Dimension Style Manager

Start the DIMSTYLE command, which opens the Dimension Style Manager
dialogue box.

Current
Dimension
Style

Press then enter

a name for your new style.
G11-2D as an example.

Select which dimension style you want to start with and Use for All dimensions.

Start with the available

dimension style.
Standard for example.

Select All dimensions

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Press then

Press

Select G11-2D and press

In this way, your new dimension style (G11-2D) will be the current style.

Now, select the style G11-2D and press The Modify Dimension Style
dialogue box opens.

In the Lines tab, you can change the color, line type and line weight of the
dimension lines and the extension lines as well.

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You can suppress the dimension and extension lines. See below the different
option you can have by ticking the boxes shown.

You can set Extend beyond dimension line and Offset from origin.

Ticking the fixed length extensions lines

will fix the length of the extension lines.

+
The Length is (1+ 2)

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Now select the Symbols and Arrows tab in which you have the following options.

You can change the shape of the arrowheads.

You can change the size of the arrowheads too.

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When you enter diameter or radius dimensions a center mark is automatically

entered if you select Mark and a centerline is entered if you select Line. Selecting
None will enter neither.

The Text tab controls the appearance of the text in the entered dimensions.

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You can select the text style Press this to create a new text
from the available text styles. style.

You can also change the Text color and Fill color. The text height can also be
changed.

Checking the Draw frame around

Text box will draw a box around
the text.

You can locate the text of the horizontal and vertical dimension relative to the
dimension line. The figure below shows the different options.

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Vertical placement
Above.

Vertical placement
Centered.

The Text Alignment box is used to control the way the text is aligned with the
dimension line. Notice the differences between the different options. .

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The Fit tab enables you to control the way you want to fit the dimensions and the
dimension text.

The Fit options box allows you fit your text

when there isn’t enough room to place both
text and arrows inside extension lines.
The best option to use is Either text or
arrows [best fit]. Try the other options and
note the differences.

Select one of the three options to place your

text.

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Try these two available options.

The Scale for dimension features box

allows you to select the scale factor you
want applied to the dimensioning features
when a dimension is inserted.

The Primary Units tab allows controls the appearance of the dimensioning units.

You can select the Unit format. Notice

the different options shown in the figure.

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You can control the Precision you want your dimension text to display.

You can select the Decimal separator. The options are shown below.

Zero suppression for linear and angular units is another useful option.

Depending on your selection, the dimension 0.5000 for example becomes;

.5000 when suppressing Leading

0.5 when suppressing Trailing

.5 when suppressing both

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Override
Displays the Override Current Style dialogue box, in which you can set temporary
overrides to dimension styles. Dialogue box options are identical to those in the
New Dimension Style dialogue box. Overrides are displayed as unsaved changes
under the dimension style in the Styles list.

The
description
shows the
items that
have been
overridden.

Compare

Displays the Compare Dimension Styles dialogue box, in which you can compare
two dimension styles. You can also list all the properties of one dimension style by
comparing it to itself.

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TASK 1 DETAILS
Lab Exercise 34-1 Time Allotted: 30 min.
Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 34-1 Module Template A4 Millimeters N/A N/A
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight

Instructions:

1. Create a dimensioning style named: Module 34.

2. Start with Standard.
3. Use the drawing below as a guide; modify the dimension style to match it.
4. Do not draw the object. Use it as a guide to set the dimensioning variables.

TEXT STYLE: MODULE 34

FONT: ROMANS
TEXT HIEGHT: 3.9

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TASK 2 DETAILS
Lab Exercise 34-2 Time Allotted: 30 min.
Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight

Instructions:

1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 34-1.

2. Compare the dimensioning style Standard and Module 34.
3. Set the dimensioning style Module 34 as the current style.
4. Override the feature draw frame around text by enabling it.
5. Override the text height by changing it to 4.
6. Override the arrow type to Architectural. Tick for both ends of the dimension line.
Do not include leaders.
7. Rename the override to Module 34 –Text.
8. Save the drawing.

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Module 34 Review Questions

1. The ________ system variable controls the associativity of dimension

objects.
a. DIMISO
b. DIMASSOC
c. DIMASSO
d. DIM

2. Setting the DIMASSOC system variable to one creates a(n) ____ dimension.
a. exploded
b. non-associative
c. associative
d. All of the above.

3. The default value for the DIMASSOC system variable is.

a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3

4. The following does not apply for the Definition points.

a. They are inserted automatically in the drawing by dimension command.
b. They will plot.
c. In associative dimension, the points are attached to the object.
d. They are inserted in associative and non-associative dimensions.

5. The _______ system variable enables either non-associative or exploded

dimensions inserted in the drawing.
a. DIMISO
b. DIMASC
c. DIMASSO
d. DIMASO

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angle
measurem
ent to 6. When setting DIMASO to on, the dimension will be inserted as a (n)
absolute ______ dimension.
or relative
a. associative
b. non-associative
c. exploded
d. linear

7. The layer ______ will be created automatically when the first line
associative or non-associative dimension is inserted.
a. 0
b. Defpoint
c. Dim
d. Point

8. A dimension _______ controls the way the dimensions appear in your

drawing.
a. menu
b. style
c. line
d. tool

9. If we tick suppress Dim line1 and Dim line2 in the modify dimension style
dialogue box the ________ will not show.
a. dimension lines
b. extension lines
c. text
d. arrow heads

10. The following does not apply for the dimension style Standard.
a. Exists in any created drawing.
b. Can not be deleted.
c. Good to use without modifications.
d. Can not be purged.

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