PMI Dimension : Dialog

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

Click the button in the toolbar.
Select Tools > PMI > Dimension from the menu bar.

Create PMI Dimension symbols and assign them to appropriate entities.

The dialog for the symbol is displayed. The symbol dialog is initially displayed grayed out until the symbol is positioned in the graphics window.	The image below shows an example of the symbol with each element labeled. The dialog elements for this symbol are described below.

Annotate the symbol either in the dialog or in the graphics window (once the symbol has been positioned).

To edit (or to re-position) a symbol after it has been created:

Double-click the appropriate symbol. The relevant dialog associated with the symbol is displayed. This means that you are now in edit mode.

Edit the symbol elements and/or re-position the symbol as required.

Symbol Elements

Dialog Buttons

Symbol Elements

Change/Indicate

Toggle to Center the dimension text or to Indicate (by dragging) a location.

Dimension Text

Set the parameters defining the dimension text:

Example:Example:

Using Dim. Text:

Select the parameters defining the dimension text.
Enter a dimension value if needed.
Select the precision of the dimension. From the dropdown list, select the number of digits after the decimal point, depending upon the accuracy that you require.

Numeric: Displays numeric data.

Textual: Enables you to enter any text as the dimension text (up to 19 characters).

Automatic: Displays the true dimensions of the selected entity, up to the defined precision level.

Manual: Enables you to enter any dimension. A line appears under the dimension to indicate that it does not reflect the true dimension of the selected entity.

Dimension Parameter Examples:Dimension Parameter Examples:

When selecting Manual, a line appears under the dimension to indicate that it does not reflect the true dimension of the selected entity.

Dimension Parameters (linear)

Dimension Parameters (angular)

Text
50
50.4
50
50.4

Text
120°
119.92°
120°
119.92°

Label Dim

Change the position of the dimension leader.

Example:Example:

Postfix

Postfix defines a symbol and/or text that will be displayed after the dimension value. Only the symbols relevant to a particular dimension may be picked. This is defined in the Drawing Standards.

See the example in Prefix.

Prefix

Prefix defines a symbol and/or text that will be displayed before the dimension value. Only the symbols relevant to a particular dimension may be picked.

Example:Example:

In each of the dimension Prefix, Postfix, and Underfix text fields, a dialog box is displayed enabling you to enter text or to use the dropdown to open the list of previously used text. Text up to 38 characters can be entered.

The number of items on each list and also whether the list can be updated is set in the Recently Used Text Preferences.

When a dialog is opened, the first empty row is displayed.

Enter the relevant text or use the dropdown to select previously used text.

Notes:

The first row on every list is always empty. In some cases the 2nd row is occupied by the signs that are added automatically to dimension or are available for them. For example, the Ø and □ signs to the prefix of linear dimensions and the R sign in radial dimensions.
When a dialog is opened, the first (empty) row is displayed.
The last item on the list is always No Text.
The last used text is added to the list at the top of the list (after the empty row in postfix and underfix, and under the diameter sign in prefix).
If a text from the list is used, that items goes to the top of the list.
The length of the dialog is 38 characters long.

Leader Drag

Drag the leader/symbol to a new location on the screen.

Solid/Dashed Line

Set the font of the leader line. The available values are: Solid, Dashed (default = Solid). This element is only available in the ANSI drawing standard.

Terminator

Select the required terminator shape from the dropdown list.

Terminator Inside/Outside

Display the terminators inside or outside the witness lines.

Example:Example:

Terminator Inside the Witness Lines:	Terminator Outside the Witness Lines:

Tolerance

Set the tolerance values for the dimension.

Example:Example:

Set the tolerance values:

Example Settings:Example Settings:

This dialog is displayed when setting the dimension tolerance in Drafting and PMI functions. The examples below show the PMI Dialogs which do not contain the Tolerance List, which is only displayed for Drafting functions. However, for the specific examples below, the display of the Tolerance List is irrelevant.

None	No tolerance is displayed on the dimension.	Limit Tol.	The upper and lower tolerance is displayed and added to the dimension.
Uni Tol.	Display the tolerance on the dimension as +/-.	Coded Tol.	The defined code is displayed.
Bi Tol.	Display the upper and lower tolerance on the dimension.	Both Tol.	Display the coded and numeric tolerance on the dimension.
Single Tol.	Display only the upper tolerance on the dimension.	Exact Tol.	No tolerance is displayed on the dimension. A box is displayed around the dimension.

Underfix

Underfix defines text that is displayed under the dimension value.

See the example in Prefix.

Units

Set the active units of measurement and whether to display dual units, for example in mm and inch. The dual units are displayed in parentheses.

Example:Example:

Set the units:

Set the required units.

Set the required dual units. The dual units are displayed in parentheses.

Example Settings:Example Settings:

Example mm units with dual settings:

	mm Single unit:			mm Dual feet Decimal:
	mm Dual cm:			mm Dual feet Fraction:
	mm Dual inch Decimal:			mm Dual meter:
	mm Dual inch Fraction:

Witness Gap / Overshoot

Set the Witness Gap and Witness Overshoot values.

Witness Gap	Enter the distance, as a factor of the character size, to be left between witness lines and the corresponding points on the entity being dimensioned.
Witness Overshoot	Enter the distance, as a factor of the character size, that each witness line will extend beyond the dimension line. This extension will be on the side of the dimension line, away from the entity being dimensioned.

The default value can be modified in the Preferences.

Example:Example:

Witness Line ON/OFF

Display or hide the Witness Line.

Witness Gap	Enter the distance, as a factor of the character size, to be left between witness lines and the corresponding points on the entity being dimensioned.
Witness Overshoot	Enter the distance, as a factor of the character size, that each witness line will extend beyond the dimension line. This extension will be on the side of the dimension line, away from the entity being dimensioned.

Dialog Buttons

	Set the required font size in the text. Default = 5
	Font: Select the font type in which to display the entity. The five most recently used fonts are displayed at the top of the list.
	Restore Default: Reset all values and settings to the system defaults.
	Active M-View: Change the projected plane to a preset orientation by selecting the appropriate M-View from the dropdown list. From this point onwards, the projection of this M-View is the default projection for all new entities. PMI M-Views can be added to this list as required.
	Define Plane: Change the projected plane by picking a planar face, plane, or 3 points to define the active plane. From this point onwards, the projection of this plane is the default projection for all new entities. A plane of any orientation may be defined.
	Selection Mode (Reference Entities): Pick reference entities (points, edges, etc.) from parts outside the active assembly or part. By default, if an assembly is activated, you can only pick reference entities from sub-assemblies or parts within the active assembly. Similarly, if a part is activated, you can only pick reference entities from the active part. The button enables you to select reference entities from anywhere in the file.
	OK: Accept the changes, perform the operation, and close the current dialog/task.
	Apply: Accept the changes, perform the operation, and keep the current dialog/task open.
	Cancel: Cancel all changes and close the dialog/task without saving the settings.

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