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Manual / Dimension & Annotation

Smart Dimension (DIM)

Add smart dimensions with a single command: edge length, distance between edges, angle, diameter, and point-to-point distance.

What it does

Smart Dimension (DIM) picks the dimension type automatically from what you click, so you do not need to switch commands.

You click You get
One edge, then empty space The length of that edge
One edge, then a parallel edge The distance between the edges
One edge, then an edge at an angle The angle
The circumference of a circle/arc Diameter/radius
An endpoint/center, then another point or edge Point-to-point or point-to-edge distance (move up/down = X, left/right = Y, diagonal = Aligned)

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Draw › Annotation › Smart Dim or Annotate › Dimensions › Dimension
  • Command line: DIM (Alias DIMENSION)
  • Right-click › Smart Dimension

Steps

  1. Type DIM and press Enter.
  2. Click the first edge. The Prompt bar shows: Smart Dimension: click second line/snap for distance/angle, or click empty space to place length.
  3. Click the second edge, or click empty space to measure the length of a single edge.
  4. The dimension attaches to the mouse: move text/dim line, type a value to override, left-click or Enter to place, Esc to cancel. Move it to the position you want and click.
  5. You can start the next dimension right away. Press Esc to finish.

After clicking the bottom edge, the length of the edge is shown
After clicking the bottom edge, the length of the edge is shown

Dimensions 240, 140, and Ø50 from Smart Dimension
Dimensions 240, 140, and Ø50 from Smart Dimension

Options while placing

Action Result
Type a number Replaces the displayed value (Override)
R (angle dimension) Switches to the reflex angle
Move inside / outside the angle Choose the interior angle or the supplementary angle
Enter / click Place
Esc Cancel

Note: DIMSNAP OFF makes Smart Dimension measure objects only, without snapping to End/Mid/Center points. The default is ON, and it works at close range, so zoom in to snap to points. You can move a dimension later by clicking it and dragging.

Try it: Motor mounting plate

A 160 x 100 steel plate that carries a small gear motor: a Ø40 bore for the shaft boss and four Ø9 bolt holes. One DIM command handles lengths, diameters and centre distances without switching tools.

  1. On Annotate › Dim Defaults, set Dim H 6 and Arrow 3.5 so the numbers suit a part this size.
  2. Plate: REC 0,0 → 160 Tab 100.
  3. Shaft bore: C 80,50 radius 20. Bolt holes: C radius 4.5 at 25,20, 135,20, 25,80 and 135,80.
  4. Type DIM. Click the bottom edge, click empty space, then move the dimension below the plate and click: 160.00.
  5. Click the left edge, click empty space, and place it on the left: 100.00.
  6. Click the edge of the bore and place the label up and to the right: Ø40.00. Do the same on the lower-right hole: Ø9.00.
  7. Zoom in on the top holes. Click the centre of the top-left hole (wait for the Center snap marker), then the centre of the top-right hole, and move the mouse up before you click: 110.00 between the bolt centres. Press Esc to finish.

Motor plate dimensioned with Smart Dimension: 160, 100, 110, Ø40 and Ø9
Motor plate dimensioned with Smart Dimension: 160, 100, 110, Ø40 and Ø9

Challenge: Add the vertical distance between the hole centres the same way, but move the mouse sideways this time. You should get 60.00.

See also