Dimensioning (in paper space) to a polyface mesh object that's in a viewport .

[gak19043]

Hi.

We always have trouble trying to dimension an object that is a polyface mesh. The dimension never correctly dimensions the object wiht the correct number, it usually is a paper space value like say 2" when it should be 2 ft. I always use associative dimensioning and all my dimensions are always in paper space. Also, frequently the dimension won't even snap to the polyface mesh's edges or corners or endpoints etc, it just refuses to snap to anything.

We get these polyface mesh objects usually from another department (the design and art department) in our company that does their models in another software like Form Z which creates those polyface mesh objects.

Thanks

[dieters]

Have you tried dimensioning an AutoCAD-generated mesh object from paper space? It seems to work fine when I try it, but what are your results?

Dieter

[gak19043]

Hi thanks for replying.

Haven't tried that but it's just that we have no choice (other than re-creating each of those polyface mesh objects from the art dept or asking them not to create those poly face mesh objects) and those suggestions won't be acceptable since they are so used to using that software and recreation would add too much time on these jobs we do here..

[dieters · Accepted solution]

Before giving up on the imported meshes, I'd try to see what other formats that your art department can try exporting, and try importing one of those into your AutoCAD drawings. For example, see whether they can produce a DXF file.

Also, don't forget to check your dimension variables such as DIMLFAC--that's why I suggested creating a mesh (or anything else of a specified size, to make sure there isn't an issue on the AutoCAD side.

Another consideration to be aware of is that your art department might be using a modeler that only supports "single precision" data for speed. AutoCAD data is stored as "double-precision floating point" for high precision. Thus, the data you're receiving might not have the precise values that your art department thinks it has. Just a thought.

Dieter

[dieters · Accepted solution]

One more thing occurred to me. I'd assumed that the models you're receiving from your art department are coming in at the right size in model space. Have you checked this? You can use DIST for quick distance checks.

If the model is not being imported at the correct size, check your settings for INSUNITS and INSUNITSDEFTARGET system variable settings. If the scale of the model is something weird, you can always use SCALE with the Reference option to set an edge to a specified length.

Dieter