topic Re: Angular Dimension Suffix in AutoCAD Forum

Angular Dimension Suffix

MarkFitz — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 15:47:02 GMT

This is probably going to be a simple no-brainer, but...

I'm working in inches, so I set my Primary Units suffix dialogue box to inches (by simply adding " inside the box), but then when I add an angular dimension, it shows as

45˚”

My computer was set up for me when I started at this job, and I'm pretty sure this isn't the right way of setting up the inch option in ACAD, I've just never had to solve this problem before - isn't there something in options when you initialize your chosen units in your initial setup, or am I completely wrong here? I've enclosed a pic to show what I'm talking about.

Thanks,

MarkF

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

vinodkl — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:01:48 GMT

Hi,

Try creating a new dimension style for only a "linear dimensions" in "DIMSTLYE" and add the suffix over there. See the attached snapshot.

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

RobDraw — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:14:03 GMT

What are the units settings for the drawing? Setting them to architectural will eliminate the need to add a suffix.

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:36:18 GMT

@RobDraw wrote:

What are the units settings for the drawing? Setting them to architectural will eliminate the need to add a suffix.

... except that then something like 16" will be shown as 1'-4". If they want straight inches only [see the Dimension Style dialog box in their original image], I think they need the suffix. I agree, different Styles for linear vs. angular Dimensions are probably the way to go. It seems unfair that the Suffix entry is in the area identifying itself as being for Linear Dimensions, but in fact it puts it on angular Dimensions, too, which you can see in the dialog box image.

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

ParishSouthBdx — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:56:23 GMT

is there a general note somewhere on the drawing, possibly near the tolerances, that note "all dimensions are in inches unless noted otherwise" ?

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

ricksr — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:59:44 GMT

I think what I would do is set my drawing units to Architectural, create a dimension style that is set to architectural units, and then for those cases where you need to have a dimension that is inches only, change just that dimension in properties to decimal units, precision to 0, and add a suffix ". See this short ScreenCast:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/efde4903-8da4-4fd0-bad8-8704af426a7c

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

MarkFitz — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 19:53:08 GMT

We do need to show the dimensions in inches only, so switching to Architectural isn't an option.

Also, how do I set the dimension style, as I set it up to use the arial font a few months ago, but now, even though I have Arial selected, it still displays in RomanC or RomanS or whatever, i.e. NOT arial. I can manually change it in the properties menu, but I thought once I set it up in Dim Styles, and click on "Set Current" that changed it...?

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:03:10 GMT

@MarkFitz wrote:

....

Also, how do I set the dimension style, as I set it up to use the arial font a few months ago, but now, even though I have Arial selected, it still displays in RomanC or RomanS or whatever, i.e. NOT arial. I can manually change it in the properties menu, but I thought once I set it up in Dim Styles, and click on "Set Current" that changed it...?

If you have managed somehow to change the DIMTXSTY System Variable to something other than the Text Style assigned to the current Dimension Style, that will override the setting. If that's the cause, in the Dimension Style dialog box you should see an indication under the Style name that there are <style overrides> in effect. You can just double-click on the Style name to clear them -- it will ask for confirmation that you want to.

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

ricksr — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:07:50 GMT

To change the text style used, go into the dimstyle command, pick Modify, go to the Text tab and set the text style there. I would avoid using the system variable. The bottom line is you want to accomplish what you are doing by using the units command in your drawing and then adjusting your dimension style to get what you need.

If you could send me your drawing and exactly what you are trying to accomplish I take a closer look

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

MarkFitz — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 15:08:49 GMT

Thanks, Ricksr, that did the trick!

I thought you set up the units when you initialise your drawing in general, i.e. when you first pull in your first drawing, you set whether the units are metric or imperial(mm or inches). I know AutoCAD went through a stage of trying to get away from that as really, on the little flat screen in front of me, who really cares if it's metric or not - If I measure a line length and it's 12 units long, if I'm working in millimeters, it's going to be 10 mm (or cm or whichever), and if I'm working with inches, then it will be 12 inches. It's only when you need to compare the two that a differing factor of 25.4 gets thrown into the mix. In this way, it sets up the dimension units automatically from your given choice when you initiate the drawing. I digress, ever so slightly...

So are we agreed that adding a second set for strictly linear dimensions is the way to go? Or do I keep the regular set for linear+, and set the second option for angular?

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

ricksr — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 21:12:25 GMT

Personally, if possible, I would try to have one dimension style and adjust the settings to accomplish what you need. But if you just can do that, then having one style for linear and one for angular is a good idea

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

MarkFitz — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 20:15:45 GMT

I agree.

But then how do I get rid of the inch notation for angular dimensions?? I shouldn't have to add " as a manual override, correct? Taking another quick look, only Architectural will show the feet and inches notation automatically. Is there a way to override the override, telling angular dimensions to ignore what's in the box, because I'm not seeing a way to even list this as a changeable option in the properties list. Or am I mistaken? We deal with so few angled dimensions that aren't in the 90 degree range that manually changing them after the fact would be acceptable, but I'm missing the whereabouts of how or where to change this detail.

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

Kent1Cooper — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 21:25:01 GMT

@MarkFitz wrote:
... how do I get rid of the inch notation for angular dimensions?? I shouldn't have to add " as a manual override, correct? ....

You follow several people's advice and use separate Dimension Styles for linear vs. angular Dimensions, and in the linear one, yes, you do need to add the " [as a suffix in the Style definition, not as a manual override on individual Dimensions]. The only way to have that added not as a specified suffix or override is to use Architectural units, which as noted go into feet-&-inches format once you reach 12 drawing units. So if you want fractional, but inches only, not feet-&-inches, you need the suffix, and only in a Style intended for linear Dimensions, not angular ones.

Re: Angular Dimension Suffix

ricksr — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 21:37:54 GMT

Try this:

https://autode.sk/32B98ld

I can't take credit for this one. I got this from the following post:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/angular-dimensions/m-p/7547664#M907293