topic Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor in Inventor Forum

Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 11:48:49 GMT

Does anyone know a workaround for breaking crossing dimensions in Inventor, the same as DIMBREAK works in AutoCAD?

Seems to me, Inventor as a 3D package is good, but as a 2D drawing package it leaves a lot to be desired!

Thanks

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Sergio.D.Suárez — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 12:27:34 GMT

Go to editor styles and then to dimension, try to modify the gaps and the different options, I hope this can help you. Regards

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

JDMather — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 12:33:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

…. but as a 2D drawing package it leaves a lot to be desired!

I taught AutoCAD for more than a decade.

I have presented classes on both softwares at Autodesk University several times.

In my opinion Inventor has very good 2D documentation tools.

Post example files illustrating any issues that you find one-by-one and we can address those issues one-by-one.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:16:46 GMT

Sergio D.Suárez, thanks but altering the 'gaps' does nothing for the issue, I tried that previously.

JD Mather, I've attached a part screenshot of the Inventor drawing. Basically, I'd just like the same result as the DIMBREAK command AutoCAD but in Inventor.

I've used AutoCAD since 1991 and Inventor since 2012 and personally, drawing wise AutoCAD is much superior, you actually get what you want, not what the software lets you have IMHO.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

SharkDesign — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:23:43 GMT

@JDMather wrote:
In my opinion Inventor has very good 2D documentation tools.

People don't like Inventor drawing environment because you can't bodge things like you can in AutoCAD!

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:29:54 GMT

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I disagree. You can bodge in Inventor just as much as you can in AutoCAD by editing the dimension text, using sketches in views etc.

People dislike AutoCAD as they don't know how to use it properly, such as using Paperspace/Modelspace etc.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

SBix26 — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:33:15 GMT

Your drawing looks exactly as I would expect a drawing to look. What standard requires crossing extension lines to have a break? How do you decide which one to break?

Sam B
Inventor Pro 2020.2 | Windows 7 SP1
LinkedIn

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:45:54 GMT

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SBix26, The BS 8888 doesn't specify that breaks need to be added, but where several dimension lines or Leader lines cross it can be confusing and drawings should be clear and concise.

AutoCAD can even mask background features with WIPEOUT, that can have a similar effect.

The point is, Autodesk saw fit to add DIMBREAK to AutoCAD many years ago and it is a useful command for the purpose mentioned earlier, so why can't they add a similar feature to Inventor?

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

JDMather — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:56:38 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
... so why can't they add a similar feature to Inventor?

In my classes I teach students to strictly follow standards.

It has been my experience that Inventor follows recognized standards.

If you find an instance where Inventor does not follow ANSI/ASME, ISO or other established standard - you should post example and reference the standard.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:04:54 GMT

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'....In my classes I teach students to strictly follow standards.'

Unfortunately, standards do not cover every possible scenario/design, and while dimension breaks are not specified in the BS's, it doesn't specify not using dimension breaks either. What is an absolute is that the drawings/documents should be clear and concise to avoid costly errors or worse.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Sergio.D.Suárez — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:06:01 GMT

I fully agree with @JDMather and @SBix26 .
On the other hand, I personally believe that process drawings should be respected. Many times, fewer dimensions is better. I think it is important not to "overload" a given process of unnecessary dimensions, this makes a drawing unreadable, and can cause serious confusion. I prefer to create two sheets of a drawing with different information oriented for each specific sector, than to have a sheet in the drawing with the global information of the model. Obviously this is just a personal opinion.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:06:54 GMT

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I agree and do the same

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

JDMather — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:10:20 GMT

You can use Sketched Symbol for a "Wipeout", but not sure how you would send back/forward.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:22:54 GMT

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I wouldn't know how to do the equivalent of AutoCAD DRAWORDER command in Inventor either. Ho hum!

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Ray_Feiler — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 19:30:17 GMT

True, AutoCAD is a more mature 2D drafting program than Inventor, but as far as I know AutoCAD doesn't automatically break extension lines over dimension text like Inventor does. Does it?

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 07:11:47 GMT

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RayFeiler, no it doesn't. You have to do it manually using one or more of the options stated in previous replies and this does give more flexibility IMHO.

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

andrew_fonck — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 16:58:03 GMT

IDOT structural drafting standards dictate that the extension line of a dimension should break by 1/16" if it crosses another dimension line. How do you do this in Inventor?!

https://public.powerdms.com/IDOT/documents/1943557/Computer%20Aided%20Design%2C%20Drafting%2C%20Modeling%20and%20Deliverables%20Manual (page 102)

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

SBix26 — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:33:05 GMT

I just looked through section 5-3.04(d) DIMENSIONING USED IN STRUCTURE PLANS (starting on p 102 of the pdf). There is nothing there about breaking extension lines that I can see. The example drawings that are incorporated in that section show extension line breaks, but there is no requirement that I can see.

This whole topic confuses me-- why do extension lines need to be broken when they cross?? What's confusing about crossing dimension lines for someone viewing the drawing? Extension lines are straight (with the slight exception for jogged dimensions), period. They aren't like a process diagram where crossed lines indicate a connection. A crossing dimension doesn't somehow lead the viewer to think that the dimension just turned and went another direction... does it? Stick with the recognized national/international standards!

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2026.0.1 | Windows 11 Home 24H2

Re: Dimbreak (or similar) in Inventor

andrew_fonck — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:41:27 GMT

I'm starting to think this is just a subjective thing IDOT does. Within their own base sheets, they break all crossing dimension lines. It's been that way since at least 2006 when I started doing this. I agree that there should be no real confusion as it pertains to where the dimension/extension lines are pointing but from a presentation standpoint I think it looks sloppy. That could just be so many years of doing it one way and my brain is having a difficult time accepting that what I have been trained to do is just atypical.