Dimensioning challenges

[Anonymous]

I'm using Autocad LT 2013.  Dimension plan in paper space.  Drawing units are decimal, feet.  Dimensioning units are Architectural with a scale factor of 12.  I've had no problem up till my efforts to dimension radii.  I placed center marks previously with no problem.  Then I tried to dimension them and got paper space dimensions, probably because they were in paper space... I erased them and tried drawing them in model space, but that didn't work.  Now I am unable to redraw the center marks in paper space.  I am stymied - any help out there???  Let me know if I should attach files - it involves 2 xrefs.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Have you checked the dimension style settings?  Maybe something is off.

Also, I would recommend dimensioning in model space over paper space as much as possible, however, I like to dimension in paperspace because I can see the dimensions in context with the rest of the layout.  I usually lock the viewport and work in model space within the active viewport.  This allows you to use any of the model space dimension styles with out scale issues.  Also, being able to utilize the dimensions with another layout could potentially be useful.

[Anonymous]

Oh dear, now we are exposing my weak areas of Autocad.  I learned Autocad first and used it for several years about 22 years ago (!), then used Microstation for 13 years and learned all my dimensioning skills on that software.  I have since picked Autocad back up and manage fairly well with my antiquated skills and Mr. Google, or these forums.  So my challenge working in model space is calculating the scale (scales in Autocad make absolutely no sense to me whatsoever, and I am a solo practitioner with no one to ask) then calculating the text and other formatting scales in the dimstyle to read properly in my paperspace scale. 

I may seem to need to start over with training, but really, I operate well with Autocad most of the time, and have figured out how to dimension in paperspace before - never had this problem before, don't know why I'm having it now.  So I will look again at the dimstyle.  Is it possible this is a Secondary Units issue?  I don't know where those apply.

Sheepishly....

[Anonymous]

Can't find anything wrong with settings.  Here's a screenshot of the units:

[Anonymous]

Can you attach a file if possible?

[Anonymous]

Will do tomorrow.

[pendean]

>>>...my challenge working in model space is calculating the scale (scales in Autocad make absolutely no sense to me ...<<<
modelspace drawings are always 1:1 scale, and should be 1:1 scale. Is that not the case in this file of yours? Then fix it.

>>>...I erased them and tried drawing them in model space, but that didn't work....<<<
What does that mean? what did not work?

>>>...Now I am unable to redraw the center marks in paper space....<<<
What command did you use? What selection method did you try and employ?

[Anonymous]

1. To clarify, selecting a dimscale in model space that is the correct scale for paper space.

2. I could not use the "Center Mark" command to select a radius on one of the xrefs to draw the center mark tic mark.

3. I used the same command, Center Mark from the dropdown dimensioning menu.  Previously I was able to launch the command, click the radius, and it would draw the center mark, but it no longer will.

[pendean]

Explain the three files you posted: what are we to do with them?

[Anonymous]

Xref the Basemap and the Siteplan to L3 Layout to create the file I was dimensioning.  I think the first paperspace view is the one I was dimensioning.

[pendean]

S0... you are not paying attention to the commandline where AutoCAD/LT likes to tell you about stuff and about why things go wrong.

1. DIMCEN variable is set to zero: that tells AutoCAD you don't actually want a "centermark". Change it to something other than zero. Look up the variable in HELP.
2. There are no circles in your file for DIMCENTER command to use: those round 'things' are blocks that are also non-uniformally scaled. Again, AutoCAD is telling you why at the commandline, drop your eyes there and start reading. Tap F2 to expand it to read when things stop working.

Hope these help.

[Anonymous]

It would be really nice if you would do your best not to be condescending.

[Anonymous]

I was unaware of a DIMCEN variable, as I have only used the dropdown menu and don't know all the aspects of the command.

There are arcs in the Siteplan file, and I was initially able to click on them in paperspace of the L4 Layout file to dimension them, so I don't know why they would suddenly be treated as blocks.

And I think you may have forgotten what it was like to be learning Autocad and not be an expert.  The error messages at the commandline are seldom helpful.  

Now that I have explained why your remarks may have been a bit insulting to a user who is not at your level, I will try what you suggest and report back. 

[pendean]

>>>...not to be condescending...<<<
Factual writing can be read like that: it depends on your mood when you read it. I only help by pointing out ways to help yourself. And I did, read it again with no emotion, you can't see me or hear me, you have no idea what my inflections are, facial expressions are doing, or much else for clues on what it is I'm thinking.

>>>...The error messages at the commandline are seldom helpful...<<<
That's inexperience talking: you may not understand the commandline, in which case you should ask specifically about that when posting. Tap HELP on occasion too.

>>>... I have only used the dropdown menu and don't know all the aspects of the command...<<<
You have to help yourself by looking things up in HELP in AutoCAD/LT: it's the best way to learn.

>>>...forgotten what it was like to be learning Autocad...<<<
I learn something new every day, even here, even with AutoCAD/LT. You should be open to that too.

[Anonymous]

The challenge with being unable to make a center mark was solved by the system variable.  Not sure which gremlin reset it!  But even with the center mark in the base file, dimensioning its location is giving me a dimension in inches rather than feet and inches, as if the center mark was in paperspace.  All other dimensions are coming out properly with the current settings. Can anyone help with this aspect of the issue?

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am looking at your drawings and I will try to answer your questions if I understand them correctly.

1) Selecting a dimscale in modelspace. This isn't quite as critical as it used to be before annotative features. However, to go old school, Dimscale is a setting that controls how things get dimensioned and scaled relative to the printed output.

If you know for instance that your final drawing is going to be printed at 1:10 then it is easy to determine your modelspace dimscale. I have attached a dimscale chart for your use that also shows corresponding text heights.

2) It sounds as if you have been able to correct the CenterMark feature. Please check the limitations of this feature to make sure that it is really the one you want to use in your process.

3) When I add a Dimension using your dimstyle, the radius is labeled in Feet-Inches. The process I use (in case it differs from yours) is to select the dimension icon from the Ribbon, then I select the arc, and finally I place the dimension. is this different than how you are doing it? Or am I misunderstanding what you are looking for?

[Anonymous]

John,

This is very helpful.  I will keep the chart and try to learn how it works.  I have taught myself a lot by searching Google, reading forums (I always want to type "fora"!) and reading help, but I have been unable to understand the scaling issue all the times I've tried.  It's frustrating to be a sole practitioner and not have a good way to learn a single issue without taking an expensive training.

When contractors build a landscape with arcs and circles, they have to know where the radius point is, or they can't lay out the design in the field.  So the center mark is for the contractor.  Then I need to dimension from a fixed element (I have selected house walls as the x,y, axes and named them Baseline A and B.), or the named baselines shown.  So a new twist:  I just dimensioned them in my file.  I discovered that the problem I identified is ONLY WITH THE X AXIS!  When I dimension the y axis the dimensions are fine!  Now this I find even more puzzling.  I am attaching a screenshot so you can see the peculiar dimension I got for the x axis.  You can estimate by looking at the paperspace view, the horizontal dimensions shouldn't be so different from the vertical ones.

I must find a way to learn about annotated objects in Autocad.  Maybe just reading  Help page, although I find they are written by people who already know the program, so they leave unanswered the very questions that would lead to understanding.

Patty

[Anonymous]

PS I don't see the chart attachment.  I sometimes have trouble finding things on this page.  Can you tell me where to look?

[john.vellek]

Hi Patty.

I tried dimensioning the bottom centerpoint using DIMHOR. I selected my first point (centerpoint by hovering over the circle and then selected the centerpoint. Then I selected the fixed object and got a dimension of 6'-41/2"

[Anonymous]

I'll try that.  I just used the Linear option on the dropdown menu.  I don't know the command names in the dimensioning menu because I never learned autocad dimensioning, as I explained further up in this string.