Constantly unticking "make new dimensions associative" in options

[jscolesVWCD9]

Hi. For the work I do, it's a lot more useful for us to have dimensions unassociated. Whenever I make a new revision on an old drawing, I'm having to go into the options and untick the "make new dimensions associative" box. Is there a way around having to keep unticking this box on every drawing?

[cadffm]

Hi,

DIMASSOC is saved per file.

You have to change it in your source file.

Is is AutoCAD for MAC? I am missing the dwg-Symbol in front of the file-saved settings.

Since 2024LT it is possible to set variables by open a file,

but i wouldn't prefer it in case of dimassoc <2

>>"For the work I do, it's a lot more useful for us to have dimensions unassociated"

I know some special tasks, but I like to learn new thing, tell us about your specific task - so we can understand too.

What benefit of non-associated dims are more usefull than the associativ feature.

[jscolesVWCD9]

Hi cadffm

So that means I will have to untick that box on every single one of my existing drawing? A bit of a pain as there are thousands. I will amend our template so the box is already unticked.

I'm using Windows CAD LT 2024

>>"Since 2024LT it is possible to set variables by open a file,"

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by this.

The work is for utility construction "as laid" drawings. I need to show how far offset utilities are from roads, houses, etc. at regular intervals. The drawings are constantly being updated with lots of polylines being broken and joined, which causes associated dimensions to go all over the place. It's more beneficial for us to have them disassociated to keep the dimensions in place.

[cadffm]

Yes, in file, as the rest of your drawing content or setting too.

Command: DIMASSOC<enter>[F1]

Read about it. On the top you get the information where it is stored: Drawing (the drawing FILE)

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Windows version: Thanks. So what i am missing is an issue on Autodesks side (file setting should be marked with a .dwg symbol)

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Thx for explaination about pro&contra of assoc-dims in your case.

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AutoCAD LT 2024 and newer:

You have a Lisp API now, this way you can setup a lsp-file to set dimassoc to 1 by every open a file.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDLT/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-5FB57480-C9BE-4E3D-BEDF-D86035928FFA

create a acadltdoc.lsp file (place it in one of your supportfilefolders)

with the content:

(setvar "DIMASSOC" 1)

[pendean]

SYSVARMONITOR command exists to alert you of when you need to change a variable like DIMASSOC, then do it for you with one click: another option you can deploy if the concept of using LISP is too challenging today.

You can also just add

^C^C_DIMASSOC;0

to the start of any frequent button you use or all buttons on the Ribbon (and toolbars) if you like to press and use those all the time. Shouldn't take you more that 15-20 minutes 1-time to enjoy it's benefit forever.

Creating a startup LISP is best explained here in this tutorial from HELP in LT2024 if you do whish to jump on that wagon (I'll assume want/need the DIMASSOC variable instead of the ones they use in that example):

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDLT/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-5FB57480-C9BE-4E3D-BEDF-D86035928FFA#:~:tex....