Diametric Dimensions

Access: Open this function from one of the following locations:

  • Click  in the toolbar.

  • Select Symbols > Textual > Dimension from the menu bar.

  • Select Dimension on the popup menu (right-click the graphics pane area).

Create Diametric dimensions.

Diametric Dimension dialog

Click on an item in the dialog for a description.

See below for additional information.

Example Diametric dimension

Click each item on the popup menu for an explanation

Additional checkboxes appear in the Diametric Dimension dialog if certain attribute types are attached to the face being dimensioned (see Dimension Dialog for Diametric Dimensions and Leader Length below).

See the Advanced Area Options below.

Creating Diametric dimensions

InvokeInvoke (for more, click Access at the top of this Help topic) the Dimensions function. A grayed-out dialog is initially displayed.

See the Dimensioning Process for additional information.

Pick the circle or double-click an arc to define its diameter.

Position the dimension.

Edit its parameters with the help of the hot spots and tips either directly in the graphic pane area or on the popup submenu. Change font style and character size also if required.

To complete the current operation and remain in the dialog, select Apply  or <exit><exit>(middle mouse button).
To exit the function, select Close .

Note: For additional information, see the Dimensioning Process and the attached notes.

Dimension dialog for Diametric dimensions

The Dimension dialog displays the relevant labels and values.

Click on an item in the dialog for a description.

If a thread/tap attribute is attached to the face being dimensioned (linear or radial dimension), the Automatic Thread or Automatic Tap checkbox is added to the Dimension dialog. See Automatic Thread/Tap for additional information.

Click each item on the popup menu for an explanation

 

An example of the labels is shown below.

Click a label for a description.

Click the Diameter dimension parameters for an explanation

See Dimension Overview for a general description.

Note: When using the ANSI drawing standard, the angle of the witness line can only be changed within the circle:

Note: Spline approximation tolerance can be modified in Tools > Preferences > Drafting > General > Dimensions.

Leader Length

In the Radial and Diameter dimension dialogs, the Leader Length parameter is only displayed in the ANSI standard and is relevant in the following cases:

 

The dimension is outside the center (or the arc/circle).

The (Diameter) Dimension Form = Linear option is not used.

To change the Leader Length, either edit the Leader Length value in the Radial and Diameter dimension dialogs or dynamically drag the dimension itself (in the graphics window) on the Leader Length tooltip.


Example:Example:

 

The Leader Length parameter displayed in the
Radial and Diameter dimension dialogs

Advanced Area options

All Dimension dialogs have an Advanced Area where additional dimension options are available. Click the Expand toggle button on the Dimension dialog to show the Advanced Area parameter(s).

The Inspection Dimension option appears in all the Dimension dialogs; however, additional options may also appear here depending on the entity selected to be dimensioned.

In addition to the Inspection Dimension parameter, any dimension on an arc or on a circle can either be set as a radial or diameter dimension, the direction of the dimension line can be free or set to predefined angles, and (for diameter dimensions) they can be switched from Linear style to Diameter style

 

Inspection Dimension

Surround dimensions with a rounded outline. This means that it is a dimension that should be inspected/verified after production.


If a tolerance is given, the rounded outline also encompasses the tolerance.
Examples:

Linear Dimension:
Inspection Dimension OFF :

Linear Dimension:
Inspection Dimension ON :

Linear Dimension with tolerance:
Inspection Dimension ON :

 

 

 

Diametric Dimension:
Inspection Dimension OFF :

Diametric Dimension:
Inspection Dimension ON :

Diametric Dimension with tolerance:
Inspection Dimension ON :

Additional Advanced Area options enable you to switch between Radial and Diameter dimensions and also to control the position of the dimension.

Diameter Dimension

The Diameter Dimension parameter enables you to switch between Radial and Diameter dimensions.
When this checkbox is marked , a Diameter style dimension is displayed.
Default ON - when dimensioning a circle.

When this checkbox is OFF , a Radial style dimension is displayed.
Default OFF - when dimensioning an arc.

Radial style dimension; in this case, for an arc

Diameter style dimension; in this case, for an arc

 

Predefined Angle

This option enables you to preset the angle of the dimension line, as measured from the +X axis of the drawing. You can also choose to dynamically position the dimension line.

The following options are available from the dropdown list:

Free

Manually position the dimension line.
This is the default option.

Note that when creating a Diameter style dimension and the following parameters are set:

Predefined Angle = Free and Dimension Form = Automatic,
the dimension style automatically changes from a Diameter style to a Linear style when close to the X and Y center lines.

30

Position the dimension line 30° from the +X axis of the drawing.

45

Position the dimension line 45° from the +X axis of the drawing.

60

Position the dimension line 60° from the +X axis of the drawing.

90

Position the dimension line 90° from the +X axis of the drawing.

-30

Position the dimension line -30° from the +X axis of the drawing.

-45

Position the dimension line -45° from the +X axis of the drawing.

-60

Position the dimension line -60° from the +X axis of the drawing.

 

The default value is defined in the Radial/Diameter Predefined Angle parameter in Preferences.

Dimension Form

This option is only displayed when the Diameter Dimension checkbox is ON .
The default value is defined in the Diameter Dimension Form parameter in Preferences.

This option enables you to change from a Diameter style line that goes through the circle, to a dimension that looks similar to a Linear style dimension. The following options are available from the dropdown list:

Automatic

The system automatically creates the dimension style as Diameter, except when close to the X and Y center lines - where it automatically changes to the Linear style.
This is the default option.

Diameter style dimension; in this case, for an arc

Linear style dimension for diameter; when close to the X and Y center lines.

 

Linear

Use the Linear style dimension to position the dimension at any angle, not only when close to the X and Y center lines.

Linear style dimension for diameter.

 

Diameter

Use the Diameter style dimension to position the dimension at any angle, including close to the X and Y center lines.

Diameter style dimension; in this case, for an arc

 

 

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.