Dimension line distance from a reference point

[AlejandroSalasSierra]

Hello everyone, 

Is there any automatic way of inserting dimensions at certain distance from walls? It would help me to keep my drawings consistent.

[barthbradley]

Are you talking about about Dimension Snaps?  Nevermind 

My Revit has always had some intelligence in that area. Seems to understand alignment.  

[ToanDN · Accepted solution]

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@AlejandroSalasSierra wrote:

Hello everyone, 

Is there any automatic way of inserting dimensions at certain distance from walls? It would help me to keep my drawings consistent.

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Not that I know of.  You can only keep the spacing between strings of dimensions consistent, but not from the dimensions to the hosts.

[AlejandroSalasSierra]

I think that would be a useful parameter to have, as it would keep the drawings consistent and it would accelerate the process, as it would place the dimensions at either side of the reference point automatically.  

[barthbradley]

I wonder if something might not be right with your Revit installation. Are you talking about offset of the dimension row from the object itself, or the distance between each row of dimensions?

If the later, subsequent rows placed above or below, should be controlled by the "Dimension Snap Line Distance" under the Dimension Type Properties. If the former; Yes, that's always been judgement call for the drafter, and never really finalized until sheet setup time.  It's always being tweaked; not based on Ansi Y14 Drafting Standards, but based on what looks good on paper.  

[anielson]

Please, Autodesk, add this feature. At least to be able to stretch the dimension a certain distance.

[barthbradley]

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@anielson wrote:

Please, Autodesk, add this feature. At least to be able to stretch the dimension a certain distance.

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What feature are we talking about specifically?

BTW: you can post suggestions/ideas here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-ideas/idb-p/302

[anielson]

I'm a big Revit fan, but for example, in AutoCAD, when you click on a dimension you get little grips at the cross points which you can click, move your mouse in a direction, and TYPE IN A DISTANCE. The only known and measured distance that Revit dimensions can stretch to is the snap distance. (which is very useful by the way.) But what if I want all my dimensions to start at 3'-0" from a building edge, or if I want to stretch my existing dimension out another snap distance but the dimension itself would have been the one that initiated the snap and it's not there anymore? I always have to use workarounds for this simple task.

[ipselute]

I second @anielson on that. It would accelerate dimension placing so much. Allplan already has such feature for many years. Or , at least, give a temporary visual reference of how far the dimension line will be to the wall. When drawing any line or object we get visual reference (distance) from other object(s), but not with dimension lines. No visual reference. Why?

On screen, distances between dimension lines and objects may appear a lot smaller than on paper. Far spaced dimension lines are very hard to read, almost out of sight.

[NoahPower]

@anielson @AlejandroSalasSierra @ipselute @barthbradley @ToanDN 

Using the free "Align" plug-in from BIM 42, I found a way to position the first dimension a nominated distance from the host. The initial set up only takes a minute or two. 

First Steps:

• Create a reference line twice the length of the desired offset distance from the host.
• Create a perpendicular reference line at the top, center and midpoint.
• Dimension these lines and constrain them using the blue locks.
• Create a temporary dimension type and match the properties in the attached image below. This perfectly aligns the center of the dimension with its horizontal line.
• Place the dimension anywhere between the top and bottom reference lines.

Using the Plug-in:

• Select both the temporary dimension and the center reference line.
• In the add-ins ribbon, use the "align middle" tool. This might bump the reference lines up slightly. Select everything and re-position.

Finishing Up:

• Once positioned, change the temporary dimension type to your preferred style.
• Use the "dimension line snap distance" parameter in type properties to position the next rows of dimensions.

I have attached a 2023 file for improvements, reference or copying.