Dimension Override

[Anonymous]

When trying to edit the text of a dimension, I get a message "Specify descriptive text for a dimension segment instead of a numeric value...." (See attached) after telling Revit to "Replace Text With" a different value. 

If I understand what this is saying, it basically is telling me to change the object, not just the text - but why give me the option to Replace the text, if I'm just going to get an error message. 

Anyone else experience this? Any way around it? Or am I completely missing something?

[Keith_Wilkinson]

All it's saying is that you can't just put in a number.  It means you can easily distinguish between a real dimension and one that may have been changed.

Basically you can input an alphanumeric but not a numeric.

For example if the dimension reads as '999' you could change that manually to read '1000mm' - the mm being sufficient to allow revit to change the value.  however I would strongly suggest you adjust the geometry of the model rather than trying to amend the dimension value...  

*edit* just noticed you are working in metric - preusmably ' and " are treated by Revit as numeric.  If you put the whole thing in brackets eg (1' 4") that would probably work.

[constantin.stroescu · Accepted solution]

Unlike in AutoCAD, Revit does not allow manually override of dimensions. It will be against its philosophy...

When you begin to understand Revit way of working you will never try to override dimensions ( even in AutoCAD this is not a professional way of working)

Anyway , dimension override could be done , even I never recomend it .

I found this method a few time ago in someone's blog ( sorry , I do not remember who's):

• double click dimension value > Dimension Text window opens..
• Dimension Value > select "Replace with Text " option
• in Replace with Text - right click in the text field
• select " Insert Unicode Control Character"
• pick "US Unit Separator (Segment Separator) 
• type a new dimension number in the text box and click Apply, OK
• If you want, no dimension to appear , then instead of typing a new number, click on  SPACE, Apply, OK

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the explaination. It makes sense that Revit wouldn't allow dimension override, and it make sense when you realize it says replace with TEXT. 

I wound up just editing the object - it was a piece that for some reason no matter what the graphics and dimensions didn't match (that's the easiest explaination, though it may not make sense) and in the moment I didn't have time to figure out why before needing to print it with dimensions. I've now figured out what the problem was and it's all correct. That info could still come in useful at some point though, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. If you read the other reply - I finally was able to figure out how to adjust the object, not just the dimension - I just needed to print something with dimensions and didn't have the time to redo it! 

Just curious, what makes you think I'm working in Metric? I'm not...And (I'm not working in Metric, but...) adding parenthesis is allowed, but then those are are part of the text. 

[Keith_Wilkinson]

Everyone should work in metric!  

To be honest I wrote my original reply before looking at your image file - the same issue comes up periodically around the place so the answer is generally the same.

Adding parenthesis was just one option - like I say, by having something in there that deliniates it from a correct dimension is a sensible step as I'm 100% with Constantin - you shouldn't be doing it *but* if you do it should be clear that the dimension has been altered manually.

Glad you managed to get the geometry sorted though - always the best solution. 

[wanguipATRICKKAMAU]

This one works pretty well

[zeulrick]

Hi there, 

I'm not sure if someone already gave a solution but here is what I do. I often have to display a not to scale dimension when doing work for a particular architect who insists on things being a certain dimension even though they aren't in reality.

When you input you desired display dimension just add a period after the desired dimension "."

This works and is not as noticeable as a parenthesis.

Hope this helps!

[Keith_Wilkinson]

I honestly can't believe people are still looking for workarounds to be able to show incorrect dimension values... it's just horrific. 🙄

[dominicwXEMSM]

Trying to do an isometric detail which I now cannot do cleanly because of this extremely inconvenient philosophy forced upon me

[Keith_Wilkinson]

that "extremely inconvenient philosophy" of showing a dimension for what it actually is rather than some made-up value you mean? 🙄

[emily_lin2LSTG]

Have you tried to label a set of dimensions in elevation view for a wall that is not perpendicular to the axis? it's not a made-up value, rather the value Revit is forcing me to display is actually not the dimension of the panel. Not every building is shaped like a match box...

[Keith_Wilkinson]

So your elevation isn't perpendicular to the view you are dimensioning in? In that case, you should consider putting your dimension on in plan so that it's clear to anyone using the drawings what it refers to.  

Changing the value of a dimension anywhere is just asking for trouble.

[RSomppi]

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@emily_lin2LSTG wrote:

Have you tried to label a set of dimensions in elevation view for a wall that is not perpendicular to the axis?

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I wouldn't present that dimension on a drawing.

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@emily_lin2LSTG wrote:

Not every building is shaped like a match box...

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And as such, require different dimensioning strategies.