Editing dimensions

To edit dimension entities:

  • Use grips.
  • Edit the dimension text.
  • Rotate the dimension text.
  • Reposition the dimension text.
  • Restore the text position.
  • Make the extension lines oblique.

Using grips to edit a linear dimension

  1. Select the dimension entity.

    5 grips display:

    2 origin point grips (1)

    2 dimension line grips (2)

    1 dimension text grip (3)



  2. (Optional) Drag the origin point grips to adjust the dimension origin points.

    The dimension text is adjusted automatically.

  3. (Optional) Drag dimension line grips to move the dimension line.
  4. (Optional) Drag the text grip to move the dimension text.
Note:
  • Depending on the Text movement setting (DIMTMOVE system variable), the dimension line will move along with the text or the text will move independently. A leader will be drawn if the Text movement setting is set to Move text, add leader.
  • If two adjacent dimensions (continued dimensions) are selected both, you can move their coinciding grips simultaneously.

Editing the dimension text

Dimension text can be edited:
  • In the MText editor by using the DDEDIT command or by double clicking the dimension entity.
  • In the Text override field in the Properties panel.
  • Using the Edit Text option of the DIMEDIT command.
  • In the Primary units or Alternate units fields in the Properties panel.
Note:
  • Use the following tags to format the dimension text for primary and alternate units:
    • \L (backslash upper case L) to start underlined text, \l (backslash lower case L) to stop underlined text.
    • <> to add the default dimension text (= measured distance).
    • [] to add the alternate units, when alternate units are currently switched off in the dimension style.
    • %%d to add the degree symbol (°).
    • %%c to add the diameter symbol ().
    • %%p to add the plus/minus symbol ().
    • \X to insert a line break in the dimension text.
    • \P to insert a paragraph break in the dimension text.
    • \f to suppress subsequent text in the dimension text.
    • \fArial to change the font of the subsequent text to Arial font.
    • ; to end any previous formatting tags.
  • Use text formatting to append units to the dimension values.
  • Default font for the alternate dimension text is defined by FONTALT system variable.
Samples of dimension text formatting

  • If you type %%c\L<> cm in the Text override field, dimension text displays as:

  • If you type \X\f in the Dim suffix field, ;( in the Alt prefix and )\f in the Alt suffix field, dimension text displays as:

  • If you type \P\f in the Dim suffix field, ;\fArial; in the Alt prefix field and \f in the Alt suffix field, dimension text displays as:

    Note: Default font for the alternate dimension text is defined by FONTALT system variable.

To rotate the dimension text

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Rotate Dimension Text tool () in the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel.
    • Choose Rotate Dimension Text in the Dimensions menu.
    • Launch the DIMEDIT command then choose the Rotate text option.

    You are prompted: Angle of dimension text:

  2. Type a value, then press Enter.

    You are prompted: Select entities to rotate text [selection options (?)]:

  3. Select the dimensions and press enter.

To reposition the dimension text

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Reposition Dimension Text tool () in the Dimensions toolbar or the ribbon panel.
    • Choose Reposition Dimension Text in the Dimensions menu.
    • Launch the DIMTEDIT command.

    You are prompted: Select dimensions to reposition text:

  2. Select the dimension.

    The dimension text moves dynamically.

  3. Click to reposition the dimension text.

To restore the text position

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Restore Text Position tool ()
    • Choose Restore Text Position in the Dimensions menu.
    • Launch the DIMEDIT command and choose the Restore text option.

    You are prompted: Select dimensions to restore text to default position [selection options (?)]:

  2. Select the dimensions, then press Enter.

To make the extension lines oblique

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Make Oblique tool () in the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel.
    • Choose Make Oblique in the Dimensions menu.
    • Launch the DIMEDIT command and choose the Oblique lines option.

    You are prompted Select linear dimensions to make oblique [selection options (?)]:.

  2. Select the dimension entities, then press Enter.

    You are prompted Enter obliquing angle:.

  3. Type a value, then press Enter.
Note: To restore non-rotated extension lines, execute the above procedure and type 0 (zero) at the Enter obliquing angle prompt.