Dimension text place manually after dimension lines have been set

[Anonymous]

I am having to place cross dimensions to a four sided shape polyline. When setting up the dimension styles I can set up text placement to the left or right but does not work out all of the time. For these instances I would have to manually move the dimensions to desired locations along the dimension line. With that exception, I would like to use fine tuning option to place the text manually, which is much effective and time saving; but it would ask for text placement before all of the dimension lines have been set. This causes issues because I want to have the cross dimensions set along the corners and this is impossible without snapping to the corners, which then places the text at the picked corner.

Is there a way to fine tune and place the text manually after all of the dimension lines have been set?

[pendean]

Pictures please, show us what you mean and what you want to accomplish.

[Anonymous]

See attached jpg

Standard dimension: This is what happens with standard dimensioning. The cross dimensions group up.

Dimension with manual placement: I want to keep the cross dimension lines at the corners but with manual text placement causes them to be placed where I have set the dimension lines.

Dimension Goal: This is what I want it to look like, to set the cross dimension line to the corners and then place the dimension manually.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

....

Dimension Goal: This is what I want it to look like, to set the cross dimension line to the corners and then place the dimension manually.

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You can use SNAPANG to get the crosshairs aligned from corner to corner, then with ORTHO turned On, pick on the appropriate Dimension, and grab the text-insertion grip point and drag it where you want it.

[pendean]

Thanks for the image: there is no automagical way (or setting) for AutoCAD to slide the text out of the way as you show in your goal image. Is that what you are asking for?
You'll need to manually move the dimensions either by clicking on them and dragging the text with the bluedot
or
use DIMTEDIT's Left/Right Justifications options (found in the ANNOTATE tab in the Ribbon, Dimensions Panel, click on the arrow next to the word "dimensions" for a faster than typing option.

[scot-65]

A custom routine may be the answer.

Possible outline:
IF Select the 2 corners (/points).
PROGN
Rotate the UCS (z-method).
Draw a defpoint (/temporary) line using these two points.
(setq a (entlast))
DIMUPT to ON.
Command Linear dimension using the two points.
Pause for dimension line placement using the defpoint line as "Nearest".
(entdel a)
UCS to World (/previous).
Restore dimension style.
;progn
;if

???

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried both but looking for a faster and simpler way than dragging the text.

[Anonymous]

I've been using the dimaligned command and have dragged the texted into place to get desired look; but would like to avoid moving with grip and applying the dimension and text placement in one command application. I have to dimension thousands of different size shapes with cross dimensions and looking for some short cuts.

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've been using the dimaligned command and have dragged the texted into place to get desired look; but would like to avoid moving with grip and applying the dimension and text placement in one command application. ....

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I'm a little confused, because you did talk about placing the text manually, but nevertheless....

How about setting up a Dimension Style in which the text placement is:

[or at Ext Line 2], and with both Extension Lines suppressed, with this kind of result:

[pendean]

Then you will need to automate with LISP or a macro to invoke your dimension command, and upon completion use DIMTEDIT's Left or Right quick text move.

There is nothing built in to automate the two commands as a single function.

[Kent1Cooper]

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Kent1Cooper wrote:

 ....

How about setting up a Dimension Style ....

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Then, with that Style current, if a rectangle is a closed Polyline saved into the 'pl' variable, this will put in the diagonal Dimensions, without any manual User dragging around of text:

(command

  "_.dimaligned" (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 0) (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 2) "@"

  "_.dimaligned" (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 1) (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 3) "@"

)

[It occurs to me to wonder:  If they're always rectangles as in your image, do you need to Dimension both  diagonals?  They'll both be the same, so one should "tell the story."]

[Anonymous]

This solution was something I was thinking to do as well but realized that all the other dimensions (the perimeter dimensions) had moved as well. I would have to create a different dimension style for both instances.

I guess there isn't a built in solution but this is the best solution thus far.

[Anonymous]

Is this a lisp routine?

And the example drawing was only one example. It is a closed polyline with four side but not all of the cross dimensions are equal.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is this a lisp routine?

And the example drawing was only one example. It is a closed polyline with four side but not all of the cross dimensions are equal.

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It's AutoLisp code, but not a "routine" yet -- but let's make it one [in very simplest terms]:

(defun C:D4PD ; = Dimension 4-sided Polyline Diagonals
  (/ pl)
  (setq pl (car (entsel "\nSelect 4-sided closed Polyline to Dimension Diagonals: ")))
  (command
    "_.dimaligned" (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 0) (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 2) "@"
    "_.dimaligned" (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 1) (vlax-curve-getPointAtParam pl 3) "@"
  )
)

That requires the Dimension Style with the text to one end to be current, but setting is so [and even making it, if necessary] could be built in.  And it could be made to confirm that you actually picked an appropriate object, etc.

If the diagonals are not necessarily equal, then of course you do want both Dimensioned, and it does both.