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Manual / Dimension & Annotation

QDIM, DIMCONTINUE and DIMBASELINE

Add a whole row of dimensions at once: continuous, baseline, staggered, ordinate, radius, or diameter.

What it does

QDIM creates several dimensions at once from the selected objects.

Command Alias Meaning
QDIM – QDIM [C|S|B|O|R|D]
DIMCONTINUE DCO Same as QDIM C (continuous)
DIMBASELINE DBA Same as QDIM B (baseline)
Option Meaning
C Continuous: dimensions chained end to end (default)
S Staggered
B Baseline: all dimensions measured from the same base
O Ordinate
R Radius for every selected circle
D Diameter for every selected circle

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Annotate › Dimensions › Quick Dim
  • Command line: QDIM

Steps

  1. Select the lines or objects you want to dimension.
  2. Type QDIM C (or DCO) and press Enter.
  3. QDIM continuous: click the side where the dimensions go Click the side where you want to place them.

QDIM Continuous
QDIM Continuous

QDIM Baseline
QDIM Baseline

Try it: Pegboard tool strip

A 300 x 40 steel strip for hanging tools on the workshop wall, with six Ø8 holes at uneven spacing (big spanners need more room). QDIM dimensions the whole row twice: once as a chain, once from a single base.

  1. On Annotate › Dim Defaults, set Dim H 6.5 and Arrow 3.5 so the numbers suit a part this size.
  2. REC 0,0 → 300 Tab 40.
  3. Holes: C radius 4 at 20,20, 60,20, 110,20, 170,20, 240,20 and 280,20.
  4. Drag a window around the strip so the strip and all six holes are selected.
  5. Type QDIM C and click above the strip. One click places the chain 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 40, 20.
  6. Select everything again, type QDIM B and click below the strip. Every hole is now measured from the left end: 20, 60, 110 ... 300.

Tool strip with a continuous chain above and baseline dimensions below
Tool strip with a continuous chain above and baseline dimensions below

Challenge: Try QDIM S (staggered) on the same selection, then even out the baseline stack with DIMSPACE.

See also