topic Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object? in AutoCAD Forum

How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

edezzie — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 15:11:45 GMT

How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

See image below. All the dims are 200mm from the object as shown in green.

Its an aestethic thing.

Is it possible to do this while creating the dims as I cant find a way of doing it?

and

Is it possible to do it after the dims are created? I cant find a property of the dims that says 200.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

JDMather — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 15:43:32 GMT

If I had a 1000mm object - I would probably be doing a scaled view of the object in layout - so the 200mm wouldn't make logical sense.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

GrantsPirate — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:48:33 GMT

Use offset, snap dims to the offset object. Use xline, offset, etc.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 19:36:54 GMT

I don't think you have that done automatically. But if [in a case like your example] you draw the rectangles and the Dimensions with Snap set to 100, you will find it very easy to achieve.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

scot-65 — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:43:30 GMT

Create a block that can be described as a "Comb".
Insert at opposite diagonal corners of the object (2 total).
When specifying the dimension line location, point
to one "tooth" of this comb.

???

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:30:47 GMT

@edezzie wrote:

.... All the dims are 200mm from the object as shown in green.

.... I cant find a property of the dims that says 200.

To elaborate a little more....

What defines the position of the dimension line is the DXF-10-code entry in the Dimension's entity data, which is the point at which the dimension line and the extension line from the second definition point [the 14-code entry] intersect. That's stored as an explicit XYZ point, not as a location relative to the definition points, which is why nothing in entity data or VLA properties reflects that distance.

It is possible to "fix" the offset distance without your needing to pick a location, in certain circumstances, such as in the DPO command in DimPoly.lsp, here. It's different from your example in that:

A) it dimensions all segments of selected Polylines;

B) it locates the dimension lines at a distance based on the dimension text height [but that could easily be changed to an explicit distance].

But see what you think of it as a starting point.

There are other approaches and variants on that same thread, and more threads about related routines that you can Search for.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

edezzie — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:23:44 GMT

A lot of thought has gone into some of these replies and thanks but surely there is a simple way of doing this while creating the dimension at least.

And the feature to do this is nearly there.

If you insert a Linear Dimension. After you click the first, then second dimension point, and you are free to place the main dimension line and decide its offset from the two dimension points, now would be an obvious time to be able to type in a distance so that the dimension line would offset that distance.

And the feature is nearly there in that you can type in a distance at that moment and it will offset the line by that distance but the problem is it offsets it at whatever angle the mouse pointer is in relation to the second dimension point. I cant get Ortho mode (F8) to apply. If Ortho mode worked it would work perfectly.

See example screencast below. If I draw an ordinary line 200mm ortho mode applies. But if I type 200mm when drawing a linear dimension ortho mode does not apply.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

GrantsPirate — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:35:08 GMT

When you are ready to pick the final point for the dimension line type @200<90, for example. After the first one is established then you just use dim continue, or snap to the dim line.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:36:30 GMT

@edezzie wrote:

.... If I draw an ordinary line 200mm ortho mode applies. But if I type 200mm when drawing a linear dimension ortho mode does not apply.

You can do this with Object-Snap Tracking [F11]. It takes a little getting used to, but is quite powerful. The following works even on non-orthogonal edges, which suggestions involving Ortho would not.

Have Endpoint or Midpoint and Perpendicular set as running Osnap modes, and Osnap Tracking on.

Start a DIMLINEAR [if the edge is orthogonal] or DIMALIGNED [whether or not it is] command, and pick the definition endpoints.

Hover the cursor over an endpoint or the midpoint of the edge, so that the little grab-it marker appears, and haul the cursor out in the direction you want the dimension line to be located.

Take it in a direction so that the Perpendicular Osnap icon appears on that reference point, and you're locked into the direction perpendicular to your edge. Type in 200.

You may see more than just the one Osnap-Track alignment indicator, depending on where the cursor is, whether it's grabbed a definition point other than the one you're going from, and what your Polar angle increment setting is. If you're getting some you don't want, you can hover over the points they're radiating from to "un-grab" those as Tracking reference points, and narrow it down to just the one point.

For a non-orthogonal edge, depending on the angle and what other Osnap modes you may have on, you may see the icon at your Tracking reference point change with small changes in cursor position. Make sure you type in your distance when the Perpendicular icon is showing.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

edezzie — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 17:54:55 GMT

Yes it works like you discribe. Thanks.

've not used Object-Snap Tracking that often so didn't think of it.

Re: How do you make linear dimensions offset a set distance from an object?

mathew789 — Sun, 26 May 2024 15:32:18 GMT

Thanks, that worked. I was using tab to get into the parameter entry box, which kept undoing the object-snap-tracking, which was really annoying, but just typing 200 without first pressing tab worked. AutoDesk really ought to fix that little bug, because it's not obvious for a beginner.