Draws dimensions parallel to (aligned with) lines and polyline segments. it also works with polyarcs, arcs, and circles, but dimensions their diameters.
Dimensions are created on the layer which is specified by the DIMLAYER system variable.
Accessing the Command
command bar: dimaligned
alias: dal, dimali
menu bar: Dimension | Aligned
toolbar: Dimensions |
ribbon: Draw | Dimensions | Aligned
: dimaligned
Prompts you in the command bar:
Origin of first extension line <Select entity>: (Pick a point, or else press Enter to select an entity to dimension without specifying extension lines)
Origin of second extension line: (Pick another point)
Location of dimension line [Angle/Text]: (Pick a point, or else choose an option)
Command Options
Option |
Description |
Select entity |
Dimensions the length of the selected entity. Prompts you:
|
Angle |
Specifies the angle of the text; useful for keeping text horizontal with inclined dimension lines. Prompts you: Angle of dimension text - type a value. |
Text |
Specifies the text; useful for overriding the default measurement generated by the program. Prompts you: Dimension text <xx.xx> - type a text or press Enter to accept the default text. You can use two angle brackets -- like these <> ones -- to located the program-generated dimension value in amongst other text on the dimension text, such as "Length of line = <>". |
Procedures
Grips Editing
Aligned dimensions can be edited directly through grips:
-
Select the aligned dimension. Notice the grips.
-
Drag the grips to perform the following actions:
- Drag either grip on the dimension line to move the dimension line.
- Drag the grip on the text to relocate it.
- Drag either grip on extension lines to rotate and stretch the dimension.
Move the dimension line by dragging either grip near the arrowhead:
Relocate the text and dimension line by dragging the grip centered on the dimension line (the leader is added automatically, if required):
Rotate and stretch the dimension by dragging either grip located at the base of the extension lines:
Related Commands
DimArc - Places arc length dimensions.
DimLinear - places linear dimensions in drawings: horizontal, vertical, and rotated.
DimBaseline - places additional dimensions from a common baseline.
DimContinue - continues dimensions.
DimDiameter - places diameter dimensions.
DimRadius - places radius dimensions.
DimCenter - places center marks.
DimAngular - places angular dimensions.
DimLeader and Leader - places leaders with text, blocks, entities, or tolerances.
DimOrdinate - places x and y ordinate dimensions.
Tolerance - places tolerance tags in drawings.
Dim - places and edits dimensions at the 'Dimensioning command:' prompt.
Dim1 - places and edits a single dimension at the 'Dimensioning command:' prompt.
AiDimFlipArrow - flips individual arrows of a dimension.
AiDimPrec - changes the displayed precision of existing dimensions.
DimEdit - changes the wording and angle of dimension text; changes the angle of extension lines.
DimTEdit - changes the position of dimension text.
DdEdit - edits dimension text.
Properties - edits the properties of dimensions through a palette.
DimStyle - creates and edits dimension styles through the Drawing Explorer.
-DimStyle - saves and applies dimensions styles at the command line.
Style - sets the text style used by dimensions.
DimOverride - overrides the values of the current dimension style.