Dimconstraint - dynamic to annotational conversion

[PremTM]

Hi!

Normally when I start a drawing I set up a layer specifically for dimensions to be placed on, hence dimlayer command comes in handy. I'm studying the parametric tools now, including parametric dimensions (dimconstraints), here are two issue I've found:

1) Dimconstraints do not plot unless you switch from "dynamic" to "annotational" in their properties (Constraint Form variable), naturally when I convert some of the dimensions this way in order for them to plot I'd like them to be placed on the same layer as my other dimensions. However when they convert they're placed on the current layer. Is there some system variable that would change it?

2) When I convert a dimconstraint to annotational form the dimensions value is not centered but lands somewhere along the dimline, sometimes just a little towards the 2nd specified point, sometimes on the landing outside extension lines. However the properties palette says that text is centered and it can't be changed in the palette itself. The only 2 ways I've found so far to place it accordingly are a) move it to the center using a grip, b) hover over the text/value grip and use "reset text position". It's extremely tedious in bulk though.

Now, I guess I could just create a temporary layer, which I'd switch to current whenever I convert a dimension and later I could just merge it with my dimlayer. I could also "select similar" dimensions and reset text position like somebody does here (post nr. 3, gif 1) although I have no idea how does he open the menu in which he chooses "Dim text position". It'd work but it's not ideal. Is there any other way I could deal with it?

[natasha.l]

Hello @PremTM,

Welcome. 

1)When changing dynamic constraints to annotational it takes on the appearance of the current dimension style. If you change the dimension style in the Properties palette, the annotational constraint updates to the new dimension style format. I would check the assigned layer to your dimensions in the Dimension Style Manager & the "Set Current" to the Dimensions Style you choose. 

2) Make sure the Set Dimension Style is "Centered"  >Text Tab (Dimension Style Manager)<

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[natasha.l]

Hello @PremTM, 

Just checking in with you, hope you were able to resolve this.

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[S.Faris · Accepted solution]

I couldn't find a solution for your 1st question, but for your 2nd question I've got a workaround.

1. Command - DIMEDIT
2. Select - HOME
3. Select - All Annotational Dimensions

[PremTM]

Hello and thank you for your reply.

As for point 1): To start off, you can't really assign a specific layer to a dimstyle in dimension style manager (DSM), can you? You can choose line and text properties to be "by layer" in DSM and either use _dimlayer to force any new dimensions to be placed on that specific layer (no matter which layer is set to "current" in layer palette) or do it by hand by going to Annotate tab -> choose layer from a drop down list below dimstyle dropdown list.

I agree that annotational dimensions will take some of the properties specified in current dimstyle (like text placement, no trailing 0's, etc.) but they just won't take the dimlayer properties, instead they are all placed on current layer (whichever layer in layer palette status=current). 

As of 2): "Centered" is the default option and I did make sure it is set this way. 

[PremTM]

Hi, thank you for that solution, it does work! 

Still it would be better to have those dimensions take the dimstyle properties 100% correct, but having a 3 step process which takes literally 5s to clean up text properties messed up by conversion is good enough.

[R_Reyes_Umana]

Thank you so much for this. I chuckled here at work when I put the command in and saw all the dimension text return to its original position. Thank you again!