There are eleven tools for creating dimensions. From left to right, these tools are:

Smart Dimension

Horizontal

Vertical

Parallel

Ordinate

Radial and

Diametrical Angular

Center Mark

Balloon & CallOut

Length Along Curve

Area Dimension

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance

The Smart Dimension tool creates an associative link between the dimension and any referenced curve. This means that modifying the curve will automatically update the smart dimension. The other dimension tools do not preserve a relationship between geometry and the dimension.

Dimension Text

You can specify the dimension text or use the # symbol to automatically fill the field based on the measured value. The text is controlled on the Prompt window.

Dimension properties, such as format, orientation, and more, are controlled on the Inspector.

Smart Dimension

The Smart Dimension tool creates horizontal, vertical, parallel, radial or diameter dimensions based the object type selected and where you move your mouse. Dimensions created with this tool are associative to the curves referenced. Modifying the shape of the curve will automatically update the dimension.

Using the Smart Dimension tool (Example 1-•HVP Dimension)

Position the cursor over a line such that the Snap tool says “on”. Click the mouse.

Move the cursor to place a horizontal, vertical or parallel dimension.

Click at desired location to accept the final dimension.

Using the Smart Dimension tool (Example 2-•Diameter Dimension)

Position the cursor over a circle such that the Snap tool says “on”. Click the mouse.

Move the cursor to place a diameter dimension.

Click at desired location to accept the final dimension.

Using the Smart Dimension tool (Example 3-•Point/Point Dimension)

Position the cursor over an object such that the Snap tool says “endpoint”, “midpoint”, “vertex” or “center”. Click the mouse to specify the dimension start point.

Position the cursor over an object such that the Snap tool says “endpoint”, “midpoint”, “vertex” or “center”. Click the mouse to specify the dimension endpoint.

Move the cursor to place a horizontal, vertical or parallel dimension.

Click at desired location to create dimension.

Using the Smart Dimension tool (Example 4-•Angular Dimension)

Position the cursor over a line such that the Snap tool says “on”. Hold the Shift key and click the mouse.

While still holding the Shift key, position the cursor over a second line such that the Snap tool says “on”. Click the mouse.

Release the Shift key.

Move and click at desired location to accept the angular dimension.

Using the Smart Dimension tool (Example 5-•Minimum Distance Curve/Curve)

Hold the Shift key, and position the cursor over an object such that the Snap tool says “on”. Click the mouse.

Position the cursor over a second object such that the Snap tool says “on”. Click the mouse. Move and click at desired location to accept the minimum distance dimension.

2 This creates a minimum distance dimension between two curves.

Using the Smart Dimension tool (Example 6-•Minimum Distance Curve/Pt)

Hold the Shift key, and position the cursor over an object such that the Snap tool says “on”. Click the mouse.

Position the cursor over a second object such that the Snap tool says “endpoint”, “midpoint” or “center”. Click the mouse.

Move and click at desired location to accept the minimum distance dimension.

This creates a minimum distance dimension between a curve and a point on another curve.

Horizontal Dimensions

A Horizontal Dimension creates a dimension with horizontal leader lines and vertical extension lines. Horizontal and vertical for the drawing are defined by the x and y axis of the construction plane. To create a horizontal dimension select the object you desire to dimension and locate the position corresponding to the lower right text location. Modifying the object will automatically regenerate the dimension.

There are three types of horizontal dimensions available, from the sub-tool palette:

Horizontal Dimension tool

This tool creates a single horizontal dimension, from a specified start point to a specified endpoint.

Using the Horizontal Dimension tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Horizontal Baseline tool

This tool creates a horizontal series of dimensions with one baseline dimension of the entire distance.

Using the Horizontal Baseline tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click to set a series of horizontal dimensions.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Horizontal Chain tool

This tool creates a horizontal series of individual dimensions over a specified distance.

Using the Horizontal Chain tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Continue to define individual dimensions along a surface.

Vertical Dimensions

A Vertical Dimension creates a dimension with vertical leader lines and horizontal extension lines. Horizontal and vertical for the drawing are defined by the x and y axis of the construction plane.

There are three types of vertical dimensions available, from the sub-tool palette:

Vertical Dimension tool

This tool creates a single vertical dimension, from a specified start point to a specified endpoint.

Using the Vertical Dimension tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Vertical Baseline tool

This tool creates a vertical series of dimensions with one baseline dimension of the entire distance.

Using the Vertical Baseline tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click to set a series of vertical dimensions.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Vertical Chain tool

This tool creates a vertical series of individual dimensions over a specified distance.

Using the Vertical Chain tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Continue to define individual dimensions along a surface.

Parallel Dimension

A Parallel Dimension creates a dimension with parallel leader lines and perpendicular extension lines relative to the object selected.

Using the Parallel Dimension tool

Click the mouse for the dimension start.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Ordinate Dimensions

The Ordinate Dimension tool dimensions distances relative to a base point. Two options are provided for creating horizontal and vertical ordinate dimensions.

Using the Horizontal Ordinate Dimension tool

Click the mouse for the ordinate base point.

Click the mouse for additional ordinate dimensions.

Select a new tool to stop creating ordinate dimensions.

Using the Vertical Ordinate Dimension tool

Click the mouse for the ordinate base point.

Click the mouse for additional ordinate dimensions.

Select a new tool to stop creating ordinate dimensions.

Modifying Ordinate Dimensions

Select the Arrow tool to modify an ordinate dimension.

Box select the ordinate dimension near the text location.

Drag the text label (creating an elbow) to the new location.

Radial Dimensions

A Radial Dimension measures the radius of a circle or arc and creates a dimension with either arrows inside or arrows outside. The resulting dimension is associative to the arc or circle.

Using the Radial Dimension tool

Select an arc or circle.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Diametrical Dimensions

A Diametrical Dimension measures the diameter of a circle. To create a diametrical dimension select a circle and indicate the location of the text. A diametrical dimension is linked to the original object such that any modifications to the object will automatically regenerate the dimension.

Using the Diameter Dimension tool

Select an arc or circle.

Click the mouse for the dimension end.

Angular Dimensions

Angular Dimensions measure the angle between any two lines.

Using the Angular Dimension tool

Select first line.

Select second line.

Center Mark Dimension

The Center Mark Dimension will locate and mark the center of a circle or entity. There are three tools available for finding a centerpoint.

Center Mark Circle

To create a center mark simply select the desired circle. Note that if you change the circle by modifying the radius or moving its position the center mark will automatically regenerate because of the associativity that is created.

Using the Center Mark Dimension tool

Center Line

The Centerline tool determines the center between two user-defined points. The Axis overlap text field, on the Prompt window, controls how far the line extends beyond each point.

Using the Centerline tool

Click to set the first point along which the centerline will follow.

Click the next point to draw the line.

Centerline Bisector

The Centerline Bisector tool references two lines. The bisector of the of the two lines defines the center line dimension.

Using the Centerline Bisector tool

Click two lines (or circles) between which you want a centerline drawn.

Balloon and Callout Dimensions

A Balloon Dimension creates a label with a surrounding graphic that may be a circle, square or triangle. A callout dimension contains no surrounding graphics. There are eight balloon dimensions and one callout dimension.

Using the Balloon Dimension tool

Select balloon type.

Click location for balloon arrow to point at.

Click location for text extension line to start at.

Use the Data Entry Fields to modify the text or width of the enclosing graphic.

Length Dimension

The Length Dimension creates an associative dimension to the length of a curve.

Using the Length Dimension tool

Click dimension start location.

Click dimension end location.

Area Dimension

To access the Area Dimension tool tear out the dimension tool palette and select the area dimension tool icon. The area dimension works with collections of closed curves or polygons. There are two options accessed through the data entry window.

1. Leader Line Dimension
2. Text at Centroid

Using the Area Dimension tool

Select Pick Leader Line Dimension.

And now select the collection of curves or polygon.

Then select the arrow location and text location.

Now change the area method to text at centroid.

And select the polygon.

The area dimension is associative to the curves originally selected.

Modifying a curve will update the area dimension.

The Area dimension also work with a collection of curves used in a constrained system.

In this case, updating any dimension value, will update the area dimension.

Geometric Dimension and Tolerance

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) is a language used on mechanical engineering drawings composed of symbols that are used to efficiently and accurately communicate geometry requirements for associated features on components and assemblies.

Datum Feature tool

A Datum Feature is the actual component feature used to establish a datum.

Datum Target tool

A Datum Target is a specified point, line or area on a part that is used to establish the datum reference plane for manufacturing and inspection operations.

Feature Control Frame tool

A Feature Control Frame is a rectangular box containing the geometric characteristics symbol, and the form, runout or location tolerance. If necessary, datum references and modifiers applicable to the feature or the datums are also contained in the box.

Size

The Size tab page is used to define the basic dimension and tolerance values along with other optional modifiers. This size specification is also known as the Limits of Size. Selecting one of the five Tolerance Layout radio buttons controls the tolerance style. The dialog controls are repositioned to match the current Tolerance Layout selection.

Tolerance Layout – specifies the tolerance configuration.

Number of Places – the X is used along with a value to indicate the number of times a dimension or feature is repeated on the drawing. Leader – adds an arrowhead and leader line.

All Around – indicating that a tolerance applies to surfaces all around the part. Adds a circle about the leader line.

Frame Control Page

The Frame Control tab page is used to define the geometric relationships for the dimensioned feature. Selecting one of the four Frame Style radio buttons controls the layout for the feature control frames.

The supported frame styles are None, Single, Dual, and Composite. The dialog controls are repositioned to match the current Tolerance Layout selection. The Feature Control tab also uses 2 additional support dialogs; Unit Basis and Datum Reference. The Unit Basis dialog is displayed by clicking on the region of the dialog box. The Datum Reference dialog is displayed by clicking on the (ABC) region of the dialog box.

Frame Style – indicates the type of frame for the feature control. ****/L – displays the Unit Basis dialog.

Unit Basis Dialog

When appropriate for a feature, the Unit Basis Dialog defines the unit basis interval (subregion) over which the tolerance value is applied. The unit basis interval can be one of “None", "Linear”, and “Area”. A “None” interval (the default) applies the allowed tolerance over the entire feature. A “Linear” interval applies the allowed tolerance per any linear sub-length along the feature. An “Area” interval applies the allowed tolerance per any rectangular sub-area of the feature. If a linear interval is defined, the Feature Control tab page will display a /L indicator. If an area interval is defined, the Feature Control tab page will display a /LxW indicator.

Datum Reference Dialog

When appropriate for a feature, the Datum Reference Dialog associates existing datum planes (local coordinate origin) with the dimension. A maximum of 3 datums (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary) can be associated with a feature control frame. A datum must be fully defined in order to add another datum reference. A datum consists of a datum letter (any combination of the letters AH,J-N,P,R-Z and an optional modifier symbol). The letters I, O, and Q are not allowed. For a multiple datum, a second datum letter and optional modifier symbol follow a dash

GD&T Examples

Below are several examples of uses of GD&T dimension tools relative to geometry.

Angularity

Perpendicularity

Cylindricity

Circularity