More Annotation Tools: Dimension

We have discussed about using text and cell to annotate our drawings. Let us explore further about annotation tools. This time, we are going to discuss how to use MicroStation dimension.

Even if we create our drawings in exact sizes, plot it in certain scales, we still need to add dimensions. It doesn’t make sense if people need a ruler and measure every element in our drawing.

The dimensioning tools are in dimensions tools group.

There are many dimensioning tools we can use. Basically how to use them is just the same. Remember to follow the guides in status bar!

Dimension Styles and Dimension Attributes

Dimension appearance is controlled by dimension attributes. While each dimension can have different attributes, we can manage them efficiently using dimension styles. You can save different attributes settings in each style.

You can access dimension style dialog from MicroStation menu: element>dimension styles. You can have many dimension styles to use in your drawings.

The dimension attributes are grouped into four category: geometry, units, text, and symbology. Each category is represented in a tab. The last tab, advanced, has all of the attributes in it.

Explore the settings available in this dimension style dialog, try to change the values and options. You will see live preview at the bottom of the dialog box.

Basic Dimension Settings: Alignment, Dimension Mode, and Association

Try to activate dimension element

MicroStation will open dimension tool settings. Below is the basic tool settings. You can choose dimension styles and other basic arrangement. If you want to have more settings, click small triangle at the right bottom of the dialog box.

There are many settings that you can change here. Let us discuss several of them.

Alignment

This is how you define your dimension alignment.

1. View will give you dimension aligned with your view. This is useful if you rotated your views and want to have dimension parallel to your view.
2. Drawing will give you dimension parallel to your coordinate (ACS). View rotation will not affect the dimension orientation
3. True will create dimension parallel to your element.
4. Arbitrary will place your dimension arbitrarily. This is very useful if you want to create an isometric dimension.

Association

If you activate association, this will associate your dimension with the element. If you move the element, resize, or do other modification… then the dimension will automatically updated.

Dimension Types

Under location option, you can see what kind of dimension you can create. In this example, you can see dimension types for dimension element.

You can dimension the whole element, create label line, or dimension size perp – line. Try to select a line, change the dimension type and see what will happen!

You will see the dimension types changing, depends on object you select. If you select a circle or arc, then you will see these dimension types.

And this what you will see if you activate dimension linear:

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as an Application Engineer in Jakarta, Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and also active in Autodesk discussion forum.
I'm an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) for Revit Architecture and AutoCAD. I'm also a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, appreciation for individuals who give contribution to Autodesk community.
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