topic Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines in AutoCAD for Mac Forum

Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:00:10 GMT

Hi,

For some reason some of the dimension extension lines are not showing up. I've tried deleting, updating and changing the node locations with no luck. Wondering if anyone is having this problem and how to fix? See attached file.

Thanks,

Trang

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 17:40:36 GMT

Hi Trang,

With dimension selected, please check these properties in Properties Inspector:

(Ext line fixed and Ext line fixed length)

If you don't need fixed length extension lines - uncheck "Ext line fixed", if you need them, than increase "Ext line fixed length"

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:16:59 GMT

Hi Maxim,

I have my dimstyle set on a fixed length. Most of my dimensions are showing up properly, but there are some that are showing either one or no extension lines. When I set the extension lines to no fixed length then they appear, but when I change it back to fixed then they're gone. See attached files.

Trang

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 03:46:53 GMT

Could you share example drawing with such behavior?

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:41:47 GMT

Thanks Maxim!

Will send this to your personal email.

Regards,

Trang

1628 West 1st Avenue
Suite 237
Vancouver, BC V6J 1G1
T: 604.739.7911 ext110
F: 604.739.7914
E: trang@arca3.com
W: www.arca3.com

This e-mail transmission is confidential and may contain proprietary information for the express use of the intended recipient. Any use, distribution or copying of this transmission, other than by the intended recipient, is strictly prohibited, If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete all copies. Electronic media is susceptible to unauthorized modification, deterioration, and incompatibility. Accordingly, the electronic media version of any work product may not be relied upon.

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:53:18 GMT

HI Trang,

If you will look at your drawing from "different point of view" (use 3DORBIT), you will see the case of extension lines anomaly:

You need to correct elevation of geometry you snap for dimensions - move everything up to Z=0.

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:57:39 GMT

You need to flatten all your drawing, because a lot of objects are out off zero elevation

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:06:41 GMT

Wow..did not know that could happen! Thanks!!

Out of curiousity, if I'm drawing in 2D, why does this happen?

Trang

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:44:57 GMT

Don't really know. If you use for creating new drawings one of your old drawings (as base "template" to start) - then check this "template" drawing - maybe it has some objects out of Z. Then if you use object snaps to such object, the new geometry draws out of Z too.

Just my thoughts...

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:27:08 GMT

Don't think that's the issue because the new template drawings are empty. I think it might be the shared drawings that I get from the other firms. Anyway, thanks again for the help!

Btw, is there a faster way to flatten the drawing without having to select all and then changing the 'Z' plane to '0'? I also noticed that they don't give you the 'z' plane option for the leader lines and dimensions, so how can I move these without starting over?

Cheers,

Trang

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:47:35 GMT

I used FLATTEN-A4M.LSP routine (attached here) to flatten your drawing. It also doesn't flatten mleaders.

Another one simple, but sometimes dangerous routine - Flatten_all.lsp also attached here, but I'd recommend use it with caution, because sometimes it gives strange results, especially if you want to undo it.

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:24:43 GMT

Hey Maxim,

Never did anything like this before, what are the steps in order to use these?

Thanks,

Trang

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

maxim_k — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 03:11:30 GMT

Hi Trang,

The files I attached to my previous post are AutoLISP routines.

In order to be able to use them you have to load them with APPLOAD command. You have to load AutoLISP routine in each drawing separately unless you use Startup Suite to load them automatically.

After loading you can use new AutoCAD command, defined in these routines.

For example after loading FLATTEN-A4M.LSP you can use new FLATTEN command to flatten objects in opened DWG file.

Here is short description of FLATTEN command:

FLATTEN sets the Z-coordinates of these types of objects to 0 in the World Coordinate System:

"3DFACE" "ARC" "ATTDEF" "CIRCLE" "DIMENSION" "ELLIPSE" "HATCH" "INSERT" "LINE" "LWPOLYLINE" "MTEXT" "POINT" "POLYLINE" "SOLID" "TEXT"

*Why Use FLATTEN?
FLATTENing is useful in at least two situations:
   1) You receive a DXF file created by another CAD program and discover
    that all the Z coordinates contain small round-off errors. These
     round-off errors can prevent you from object snapping to
    intersections and make your life difficult in other ways as well.
2) In a supposedly 2D drawing, you accidentally create one object with
    a Z elevation and end up with a drawing containing objects partly
    in and partly outside the Z=0 X-Y plane. As with the round-off
    problem, this situation can make object snaps and other procedures difficult.

HTH,

Maxim

Re: Missing Dimension Extension Lines

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 22:07:05 GMT

Thanks Maxim!

Regards,

Trang

1628 West 1st Avenue
Suite 237
Vancouver, BC V6J 1G1
T: 604.739.7911 ext110
F: 604.739.7914
E: trang@arca3.com
W: www.arca3.com

This e-mail transmission is confidential and may contain proprietary information for the express use of the intended recipient. Any use, distribution or copying of this transmission, other than by the intended recipient, is strictly prohibited, If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete all copies. Electronic media is susceptible to unauthorized modification, deterioration, and incompatibility. Accordingly, the electronic media version of any work product may not be relied upon.