topic Re: Dimension font size in a drawing? in Inventor Forum

Dimension font size in a drawing?

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:36:41 GMT

Hello,

I am trying to make the dimensions bigger in my drawing. I tried manage -> text. But that doesn't work. Can anybody help me? Thank you.

Also, I have done iProperties for my part in IPT file, but it doesn't update to my drawing dwg file. Does any one know how to do this? Thank you.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Curtis_W — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:43:54 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

See the video below on youtube (has a bit of the rock and/or roll in the intro music, just FYI in case you have headphones on)

Or see this link:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-change-font-size-in-the-dimension-after.html

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

TheCADWhisperer — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:51:13 GMT

I am rather certain that I would use a much smaller sheet of paper and a Break view for a simple part like that.

Attach your *.ipt file here if you are interested in seeing how I would document the part.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 21:22:26 GMT

That will be awesome. But I don't have the file on this computer. Can you teach me how to do the sheet size by words? Thank you

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

kelly.young — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 17:36:52 GMT

Hello @Anonymous you can change your sheet size from the Model Browser and Save Copy As Template for future use.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Anonymous — Wed, 08 May 2019 23:01:59 GMT

This is yet another baffling thing that AutoDesk does to their users. There's an option to change the font size for the dimension if you right click and select "Text..." but changing it doesn't do anything on the drawing. Why? Why do I have to dig into a system-wide setting to update a single piece of text?

kelly.young has embedded your image for clarity.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

johnsonshiue — Wed, 08 May 2019 22:40:39 GMT

Hi! I see the confusion. The thing about font size in Text Editor is that there are multiple overrides. The dimension text itself is driven by Dimension Style -> Text -> Text Style. The style drives all dimensions of the same style. The additional text attached to dimension text is considered a different part of the dimension. Its style by default obeys the Text Style. However, it can be overridden locally. This allows some flexibility but creates some confusion.

The change in options within Format Text dialog only applies to the given dimension. And, the change does not drive the Text Style referenced by the Dimension Style.

Many thanks!

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

IgorMir — Thu, 09 May 2019 02:25:15 GMT

No, it is not. The size of the text (and that includes the dimension text) is governed by the National drafting standard. Hence - it is quite logical to set the text parameters up in the Application option, rather than modify it on case by case basis. So, the way the Autodesk had set it up in Inventor is quite appropriate. But some Inventor users just need to learn what National Drafting Standards are all about.

In the original post it appears that the item is detailed on A1 page format. The dimension text height for that format is 2.5mm. Now, if that drawing is printed on A4 page - the text will be difficult to read, since it will be scaled down to A4 format. So, when choosing a drawing sheet size - it should be chosen wisely.

Cheers,

Igor.

@Anonymous wrote:

This is yet another baffling thing that AutoDesk does to their users. There's an option to change the font size for the dimension if you right click and select "Text..." but changing it doesn't do anything on the drawing. Why? Why do I have to dig into a system-wide setting to update a single piece of text?

kelly.young has embedded your image for clarity.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Anonymous — Thu, 09 May 2019 12:17:33 GMT

Thanks for the feedback! While I respect that this problem isn't 1:1 with the OP, searching for a solution to my initial problem landed me here. The solution addresses the issue of needing to print something from a larger drawing onto a smaller piece of paper. My issue stems from my frustration and confusion of trying to solve it myself from inside the software and finding something that appeared to be broken and/or not functioning as expected.

Johnson - It certainly looks like you can change it to one of several sizes (see attached image) but I was unable to override an individual dimension this way. I also tried changing the font with no success. If there is a local override, it doesn't seem to be working from this dialog.

Igor - While I won't debate the logic of it being defined by a standard and therefore being controlled at the system or document level, I will debate the logic of including the appearance of the ability to change it on a per-dimension basis. That's the baffling part. If it has to be updated elsewhere, why even give me the option to select a different size? Just grey/disable that control, or add a dialog that warns me that it's not going to be updated and direct me to the proper location. I agree that if I'm in control of the drawing it would be better to start with a more appropriate size of paper. However, if I have a customer drawing that's originally done on ANSI D (22"x34") paper, I'm not going to completely redraw the print just to have the font more legible on a piece of paper that will fit into the printer I have available.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

IgorMir — Thu, 09 May 2019 13:58:37 GMT

Hi Sam,

I know what you are saying, but the case you are referring too is not that common. That's probably why the only control for the dim. text size is available in the Style Editor only.

Cheers,

Igor.

@Anonymous wrote:

Igor - While I won't debate the logic of it being defined by a standard and therefore being controlled at the system or document level, I will debate the logic of including the appearance of the ability to change it on a per-dimension basis. That's the baffling part. If it has to be updated elsewhere, why even give me the option to select a different size? Just grey/disable that control, or add a dialog that warns me that it's not going to be updated and direct me to the proper location. I agree that if I'm in control of the drawing it would be better to start with a more appropriate size of paper. However, if I have a customer drawing that's originally done on ANSI D (22"x34") paper, I'm not going to completely redraw the print just to have the font more legible on a piece of paper that will fit into the printer I have available.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 20:48:46 GMT

The case he's referring to is EXTREMELY common. Most of the CAD people I know print D-size drawings on 11x17 paper on a regular basis. The frustration of not being able to quickly, temporarily adjust a couple dimensions for legibility on smaller paper is very real.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Matt.WestSU7H9 — Wed, 17 May 2023 13:48:42 GMT

It's great that an answer was provided, but I think AutoDesk can come up with a much SIMPLER WAY of changing the dimension text.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

Frederick_Law — Wed, 17 May 2023 14:10:20 GMT

Drafter don't draw on 924" x 7134" paper size then print it out on 8.5" x 11".

It is difficult to edit style because it prevent "CAD people" from butchering the drawing.

Setup styles with different size font and switch style instead of editing the style.

Learn how to draft:

https://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog-templates-lettering.html

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

henry.schmittC5LE7 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 19:20:17 GMT

Yes that fixes that problem but it also creates another and I have not found a solution to that yet changes the text

size in your title block.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

IgorMir — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:58:22 GMT

You have to create a text style you want first. Then in TB you will have to delete the text, corresponding to a scale factor (for example). Now create a new text for that field and select the style you want to be associated with this text. Once done - position that text in TB as needed.
By some reason, once the text is created - the option to select a different text style for this very text is greyed out in the Text editor DB.
For a global editing of the existing text style - changing the text parameters in the Style Editor does the trick.
Cheers,

Igor.

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

stu_junk — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:26:05 GMT

Thank you, kind sir! The simple change in the Style Editor was the ticket for me!

Best

Re: Dimension font size in a drawing?

k_dion — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:25:31 GMT

They changed this about 3 years ago and I agree with the original comment that is very frustrating. I used to be able to individually just simply edit text on whatever dimension and it would change for readability. I also understand what the gentleman is stating about the national drafting standard but 99.99% of the work engineers do is either drafts or pre- finish material and where just changing things to simply see how it will all look on a given print. So, the fact that I have to go in and edit my parent dimension style is in my opinion going backwards