Dimension of circle based on outline, rather than center.

[Anonymous]

When I want to dimension a circle, how do I specify that it's size is defined by the distance between the outline of the circle and some other line/point?

While creating the dimension, when right-clicking, I get the option between "Pick circle/arc center" and "Pick circle/arc tangent", but selection the latter doesn't do anything.

[etfrench]

Set User Parameter: CircleRadius = nnn

Set Circle diameter dimension = CircleRadius x 2.

Set User Parameter: CircleOffset = (distance from circle to object).

Dimension from center of circle to object = CircleRadius + CircleOffset.

[chrisplyler]

It might help if you get creative with a Point and a Construction Line.

[jeff_strater]

I think this is what you want.  You just have to switch to tangent points before picking the circle:

[whatwhatwhoa]

Is there anyway to have this behavior be automatic?

If you click the circle, it selects tangent. If you click the center point, it dimensions to center instead?

Right now the behavior is un-intuitive, and adds additional actions. It gets frustrating really quickly if you're dealing with a lot of circles. If you're familiar with onshape, that is how onshape handles it.

[Anonymous]

Owwww...is it that simple? Thank you!

(perhaps not the most intuitive thing, though)

[TheCADWhisperer]

Use Construction lines and you have an obvious visual reference that is impossible to miss when someone else (or you a year, or month, or week from now) has to edit the geometry.