I am attaching a drawing. We have found drawings that act like this and can not find the problem. If we use the amutodim and set to ordinate for example, it will not dimension any lines placed on the TXT or the DIM layers. Layer 0 works fine. I have tried Audit, Recovery, purging, Match properties (if you match a new line to one of the problems it also doesn't dimension). If I use the power dimension just fine for these same lines. From the command sequence it appears to find the line. Something stops the dimension creation. We are using AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 with SP2 installed within the last two weeks. Occurs on more than one computer and more than one drawing. New drawings being create also have same problem.
Command line sequence.
Command: _amautodim
Select objects [Block]: 1 found
Select objects [Blocks]:
Unable to create dimensions.
Command: *Cancel*
Thank you for any suggestions as this is a serious matter for our users. I have submitted here in hopes that AutoDesk personel see too.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by jlamber. Go to Solution.
Hi,
Txt and Dim layers cannot defined as contour layers. AMAUTODIM will work on contour layers.
In order to use multiple dimension on those dialogs, you can do the following:
1. go to Object Property Settings dialog through Options dialog->AM:Standards tab->Double click Standard node in standard element list.-> Click Settings.
2. Then go to Drafting Category and change the layers for Contour objects, like Txt or Dim.
3. Ok all dialog
4. Try again
Let me know if you have more concerns.
Michael,
I'm not sure what to change. Do I change the layer names from Contour 1, Contour 2 from Contour0 to TXT? Would this then mean if I draw a contour it would place it on the TXT layer? If so this would not be desireable. Maybe, I don't understand how this setting would work. We are looking to autodimension objects we select without a requriement that they be on certain layers.
I am attaching two screen shots. One of our drafting settings and one of the Dimensioning settings. I don't recall seeing this current action in 2010 Mechanical. Hopefully these will help get us back to using the AutoDimensioning.
Hi,
Sorry about the confusion. I noticed you have set layer names as contour which are similar to object names.
What I meant is to change layers for object. You can go to Object Property Settings dialog by Options dialog->AM:Standards tab->Double click Standard note settings->click Setting button in Standard Settings dialog. see snapshot for detail.
But as you mentioned, this change will also affect layers settings for other categories, like standard part.
So I think you can try the following steps to use amautodim without constraints.
1. Set Dim as the current layer
2. Go to Standard Settings dialog by Options dialog->AM:Standards tab->Double click Standard note settings
3. Uncheck Let AutoCAD Mechanical manage object property checkbox
4. Ok all dialogs
5. Try AMAUTODIM
6. if you want property management functionality, you can check it again in Standard Settings dialog
Thank you for making clear what was to be edited.
1. I was able to change the standard's drafting object layer and it enabled the ability to select objects on that layer to be dimension. This provides for the advanced dimensioning feature that Mechanical offers. (use of drafting standard, dimension style, putting dimensions on separate layer and not selecting hatching, phantom lines, and etc.) I would point out that our objects have several layers. Each layer has a different color and are used to distinguish different machining processes. For example punching, bending, drilling. Each of those layers require objects to be dimensioned. I see that having to use the 4 contour layers to accomplish this is not ideal for us. I understand contour are to be used as their name implies, an edge or surface area of an object.
2. Turning off having Mechanical manage object properties does also work. Unfortunately if you put yourself in the drafting person shoes you would agree that this is also not an ideal situation having to turn on and off and then forgetting once an awhile.
I will mark this complete and we will be changing our process to deal with what I believe is a short coming. Disappointed in South Dakota.
Jim