Annotative dimensions appear in all Viewports in AutoCAD LT 2017

[Anonymous]

I have been using annotative dimensioning for a number of years. I have used it in AutoCAD 2008 right up to AutoCAD 2014LT. I was just given AutoCAD 2017LT, and something has changed and I can't figure it out!

When I dimension my object I have always applied the scales needed for the one image for example: if my overall scale is 1'=1'-0" then I would dimension all the overalls; if there was a joint I would dimension those at 1:1 and so forth. In previous versions when I assigned a viewport to an Annotative scale any dimensions that were not that scale turned off in that viewport - LIFE WAS GREAT!!

It seems something, a setting perhaps is different now - please help if you have encounterd this. Regardless of the viewport annotative scaling or the dim scaling ALL dimensions show and plot. Certainly I can change the view option to a paticular scale but it's widespread and turns off all dimensions that are not to that scale throughout my entire drawings and all viewports. I have a feeling I am missing something but I feel I have exhasted everything I can think of.

@Anonymous, 
john.vellek has edited your subject line for clarity: Yet another Annotative dimension issue

[john.vellek]

Good morning Walter and welcome to the Forums!

I am sorry to see that you are having problems with Annotative Dimensions. Please attach a sample drawing for me to examine so I can help you work through this issue.

Here is a link to a video that might help you as well.

[Anonymous]

I have attached what I am facing, minus the hoopla about the job / company.

[dbroad]

Everything looks good except for the viewport that is scaled 6"=1'-0".  If a scale is displayed for which annotation scales have not been added, AutoCAD will either show no annotative objects or all of the annotative objects at the closest scale that applies.   If you only want dimensions that are added at a particular annotation scale to show up, turn off annoallvisible and add the annotative scales you need to the dimensions you want to see in each viewport. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have been using annotative dimensioning for a number of years. I have used it in AutoCAD 2008 right up to AutoCAD 2014LT. I was just given AutoCAD 2017LT, and something has changed and I can't figure it out!

When I dimension my object I have always applied the scales needed for the one image for example: if my overall scale is 1'=1'-0" then I would dimension all the overalls; if there was a joint I would dimension those at 1:1 and so forth. In previous versions when I assigned a viewport to an Annotative scale any dimensions that were not that scale turned off in that viewport - LIFE WAS GREAT!!

It seems something, a setting perhaps is different now - please help if you have encounterd this. Regardless of the viewport annotative scaling or the dim scaling ALL dimensions show and plot. Certainly I can change the view option to a paticular scale but it's widespread and turns off all dimensions that are not to that scale throughout my entire drawings and all viewports. I have a feeling I am missing something but I feel I have exhasted everything I can think of.

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Is this toggled on?

If so, that may be why they're all showing up upon changing scales of the VP.

[Anonymous]

Dbroad -

I understand what you are saying and this is exactly what I am expecting to see, however in my viewport 2"=1'-0" dimensions show allongside 6"=1'-0" dimensions. My viewport is set to 6"=1'-0" in my past experinces the 2"=1'-0" would be on but not show in this viewport as the dimensions do not match the annotative scale.

If I toggle annoallvisible off it will only show the dimensions for the current scale selection I have as active - widespead accross my entire drawing and all of my viewports.

[Anonymous]

Jherbst -

No this is off and that was the first thing I checked. My problem is not unwanted dimensions perse - I want the dimensions; I just want the dimensions that collaberate with the viewport scale to show in that viewport. I have all annotative dimensions regardless of scale showing in a viewport that does not match the scale that the dimensions / viewport is set to.

[dbroad]

In order for the dimensions to show up correctly in the viewport that does not display correctly,  select all the (in your mind, misbehaving) dimensions, and on the annotative tab, select add current scale.

[Anonymous]

Dbroad -

Certainly not in my mind I have an overall drawing that is scaled at 2"=1'-0" which is dimensioned as such. I have an enlarged detail (viewport set to a scale of 6"=1'-0" looking at the same part) with dimensions set to 6"=1'-0". My 2"=1'-0" at that scale (to say there are no other scales assigned to those dimensions) show in the 6"=1'-0" view port and my 6"=1'-0" show in my 2"=1'-0" viewport. Not only do they show they are showing as the correct scale for the viewport they should be assigned to.

[pendean]

Do this http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017/yet-another-annotative-dimension-issu...

Then select your viewport, change the scale to 1:1 then back to 1:2 (or 6"=1'-0" if you want to do it the hard way). See attached.

[Anonymous]

Pendean -

That is a resolve but not what I am seeking. For example if you look at the section / detail labeled F to the left of the enlargement my 6":1'-0" dimensions are showing in that viewport which is set to 2"=1'-0". I don't know what changed between 2014 and 2017; but it does not work like it used to.

Seems like I'm going to have to resort to the old way of having different dimension layers that I can freeze in the viewports to only show what I want. **SIGH**

[dbroad]

See the screencast

[Anonymous]

Dbroad -

Your dead set correct in the video – but it does not help my problem. It's not that your answer is wrong, and it is 100% the answer that I would need if that is what I sought.

My trouble is in the past if a dimension was not set to match the viewport annotative scale it would not show in that viewport. I need the dimension the you added to 6” scale; to remain at the 2" scale. Simply put I don't want it to show in my 6" scale viewport. This in the past is exactly how AutoCAD would treat an annotative dimension that was not set to have the annotative dimension scale and the annotative viewport scale exactly the same. It seems that either this has changed or it is categorized under a setting that I simply can't find.

Within the same setup you will see the 2” scale viewport labeled as ‘F’ shows the 6” annotative dimensions which is what I also don’t want and is the exact opposite scenario from what I am trying to fix with the 6” scale viewport.

[dbroad]

Per my first post:  " If you only want dimensions that are added at a particular annotation scale to show up, turn off annoallvisible"

[Anonymous]

Dbroad -

Perhaps this is what I am seeking and I am not listing correctly, or my CAD needs to be reloaded. Please bear with me -

1. If I have lets say 6"=1'-0" as my active annotative scale set.
2. I click my annoallvisble off.
3. The only dimensions I see are 6"=1'-0".
4. Any and all dimensioning from all of my other sheets do not show at all in MS; PS; and all of my viewports.

I see what your saying, and it might be what I am after - however I can't turn in a set of drawings where all other non 6"=1'-0" dimensions do not show on any of my sheets. Is there more to this setting then what I have found above?

[dbroad]

Annotative scaling has always had issues. I doubt 2017 is any different.  Perhaps this is the first snag you have noticed but.

1) There can be problems with xref scaling.

2) There can be problems with dimensions not showing up.

3) There can be problems with xref annotation scales and host drawing annotation scales not jibing.

There is no single recepie for a fix.  Just careful planning ahead for the scales you want each dimension to show for.  It's a lot easier if all the dimensions are in the same drawing.

I generally avoid annotative dimensions and display dimensions at the scale I want them to display. However, if you set annoallvisible on and make sure that xrefs sources and targets have the same annotation scales, then it is possible to coordinate.  There will be times when dimensions show up where you don't want them and times they don't show up at all.

[Anonymous]

Dbroad -

I have to say this is the first I am seeing a problem with annotative dimesnions and I've grown fond of it for my workflow. It stinks!

Seems like I am going to have to go back to the old way with diffrent Dim layers that I can freeze from viewport views... the horrorible memories I have from those days - sigh.

It is what it is I guess. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

[john.vellek]

Hi Walter,

What you are trying to do is possible. It just gets a little convoluted 🙂

I selected all the dimensions in your drawing and removed all the scales except 2:1 and 6"=1'-0".

Then I reassigned the scale to each viewport and then the dimensions displayed properly

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

HI walter

I am checking back to see if my post or other's posts helped you with your problem. Please add a post with your results so other Forum users can benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts fully solved your issue or answered your question.

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Good morning walter,

I took a look at your issue and resolved it fairly easily.

First, I removed all the annotative scales from your existing dimensions except for the 2"=1'-0" scale and the halfsize scale.

Once I did that, I believe the dimensions work as you want. Your's was not working as each dimension had all of the annotative scales assigned so no matter which viewport they were in, if it had one of the scales assigned then the dimensions appeared as they should.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.