Dimension Tool

The Dimension tool is used to indicate dimensions of objects in your document. A dimension is displayed as a compound object made up of lines and text.

When you draw a dimension horizontally, a vertical line will be shown at the start and end point of the dimension. These are the start- and endpoint leaders and can be used to show which exact points your dimension object refers to. The start- and endpoint leaders can be extended to connect to the points you’re taking your measurements from, and the dimension text can be moved to the position of your choice. These changes are made using the Edit Node Cursor.

When the Edit Node Cursor has been selected and a dimension is also selected you will see 7 nodes; one at each end of the dimension line, one at each end of the leaders and one below the dimension text. The leader nodes are used to move the leaders, the text node to move the text. The example here shows how dimensions might be edited in relation to the object they’re measuring. Note that in both cases the leaders have been moved and how, in the smaller measurement, the dimension text has been repositioned.

If the length of the dimension line is changed, either by moving its nodes using the Edit Node Cursor, or by scaling the dimension with the Position/Scale Cursor, the dimension text will change dynamically, always showing the accurate length.

The font, height and other characteristics of the dimension text is set and changed using the Font toolbar.

Techniques for Drawing/Modifying Dimensions

Editing Dimensions using Position/Scale and Edit Node Cursors

Using FastKeys and the Command Line

Drawing and Editing Dimensions using Modifiers

Style Options for Dimensions