Drafting Preferences > General > Dimensions

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

Select the Preferences button from the Quick Access Toolbar, or
Select Tools > Main Tools > Preferences from the menu bar.

Navigate to Drafting > General > Dimensions.

Set the precision defaults for the dimension tool and tolerance. Define the various definitions for the dimension features.

The Dimensions dialog is displayed.

Interaction

Set the required default dimension values.

Default for Dimension Precision

Set the default dimension precision by selecting one from the dropdown listdropdown list.

Default for Tolerance Precision

Set the default tolerance precision by selecting one from the dropdown listdropdown list.

Distance from text to underline

Set the distance between the dimension text and any underlining.

Distance from text to dimension line

Set the distance between the dimension text and the dimension line.
ExampleExample


Linear Dimension	Diametric Dimension

Horizontal distance from text to tolerance

Set the horizontal distance between the dimension text and the tolerance.
ExampleExample


Default Horizontal distance from text to tolerance	Increased Horizontal distance from text to tolerance

Vertical distance from text to upper tolerance

Set the vertical distance between the dimension text and the upper tolerance.
ExampleExample


Default Vertical distance from text to upper tolerance	Increased Vertical distance from text to upper tolerance

Vertical distance from text to uni/single tolerance

Set the vertical distance between the dimension text and the uni/single tolerance.
ExampleExample


Default Vertical distance from text to uni/single tolerance	Increased Vertical distance from text to uni/single tolerance

Character size for unit specification

Set the default character size for the dimension text.

Tolerance character size

Set the default character size for the tolerance text.

Add sign for zero tolerance
(+0,-0)

Define whether to add a sign for zero tolerances - Yes/No.

Remove trailing zeros

Define whether to remove trailing zeros from dimensions - Yes/No.

Witness line 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.

ExampleExample

Witness line 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.

ExampleExample

Distance between 2 ordinate dimensions

Set the default minimum distance between Ordinate Dimensions.
ExampleExample

Radial/Diameter ANSI Leader Length

Define the default leader length for Radial and Diameter dimensions.

This value can be changed in the Radial and Diameter dimension dialogs, using the Leader Length parameter.

Examples:


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

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:

Ordinate Dimension Distance

Set the distance from the view or from the measured point, to where the dimension will be placed.

For Automatic Ordinate Dimensions.

Distance between 2 base line dimensions

Set the default minimum distance between Linear Base Line Dimensions.
ExampleExample

Spline approximation tolerance for radial dimension

Set the spline approximation tolerance for Radial Dimensions.

Ordinate Dimension

Select the required option to set the position of the dimension in relation to the selected view.

For Automatic Ordinate Dimensions.

Constant distance from view

Position the dimensions a constant distance from the view.

This is the default option.

Close to measured point

Position the dimensions close to the measured point of the view.

The Radial/Diameter Predefined Angle and Diameter Dimension Form parameters are displayed in the Advanced area of the dialogs.


The Diameter Dimension parameter enables you to switch between Radial and Diameter dimensions and also to control the position of the dimension

Point to Point Dimension

Select the appropriate option to set the position of dimensions that are created between two points.
For Linear Dimensions.

Vertical/Horizontal

Position dimensions vertically or horizontally between two points.
This is the default option.

Minimum Distance

Position dimensions the minimum distance between two points.

The Minimum Distance Dimension parameter is displayed in the Advanced area of Dimension dialog (this parameter is displayed for Linear Dimensions only).

Radial/Diameter 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.

This parameter is used when defining the position of dimension lines in Radial and Diameter dimensions.

Diameter Dimension Form

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

This parameter is only displayed when defining the style of Diameter dimensions.

Select the appropriate approval option.

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