Understanding Dimensioning in Draftsight
Setting dimensions in Draftsight is essential for conveying precise measurements and specifications in your drawings. This guide outlines how to effectively set and modify dimensions within the software.
Measuring Distance Between Points
1. Navigate to the **Tools** menu and select **Inquiry**, then choose **Get Distance**. Alternatively, input **GetDistance** in the command line.
2. Click on two specific points in your graphics area that you wish to measure the distance between.
3. Observe the displayed results, which will include:
– Distance
– Angle in the XY Plane
– Angle from the XY Plane
– Delta X
– Delta Y
– Delta Z
These measurements help you understand the spatial relationships within your drawing.
Adjusting Dimension Text Size
1. Click on the dimension object that you wish to modify.
2. If the dimension text appears too small, access the **Properties** tab in the right-hand panel.
3. Locate **Text Height**. Adjust this field to your desired value. For instance, entering 10 will increase the text size.
This modification enhances visibility and legibility in your drafts.
Utilizing the Smart Dimension Tool
1. Select the **Smart Dimension** option from the dimensioning tools available in Draftsight.
2. Click on the first entity (line or object) you wish to dimension.
3. Move to the second entity and click to establish the relationship between the two.
4. Drag the dimension line to your desired location to improve layout clarity and finalize the placement.
This tool simplifies the process of adding dimensions efficiently.
Creating Lines with Dimension Constraints
1. Click on the drawing area to define your starting point for a line segment.
2. Click again to mark the endpoint of that segment.
3. If you need to create additional segments, specify another point or press **Enter** to conclude the process.
This method enables streamlined creation of connected line segments with specified dimensions.
Changing Units of Measurement
1. Access the **Format** menu and select **Unit System** or type **UnitSystem** into the command line.
2. Adjust settings for various categories:
– **Base Angle**: Specify your preferred angle measurement.
– **Length**: Set your unit of measurement for lengths.
– **Angle**: Choose the desired unit for angular measurements.
– **Units Scale**: Determine the reference measurement units for blocks and drawings.
3. Press **OK** to confirm your changes.
This allows you to standardize measurements suitable for your specific project needs.
Editing Dimension Colors
1. Open the **Edit Dimension Styles** dialog by selecting it from the dimensions menu.
2. Choose the base dimension style from the left-hand tree view and click **Modify**.
3. Navigate to the **Text** tab and select your preferred color for dimension text from the available options.
This feature allows for better visualization and distinction of different dimensions in your drawings.
Exploring Types of Dimensions
Understanding the types of dimensions can aid in selecting the appropriate measurement method:
– **Linear Dimensions**: Used for straight line measurements.
– **Radial Dimensions**: Useful for circles and arcs.
– **Angular Dimensions**: Measures angles between two lines.
Understanding these classifications allows for more precise drafting.
Additions and Miscellaneous Options
Draftsight offers various features to enhance your drafting experience:
– **Joining Lines**: You can connect multiple line segments easily using the **Edit Polyline** function.
– **Making Custom Line Styles**: Create dotted or other styled line types by accessing the **Line Style** settings.
– **Creating Rectangles**: Use the rectangle tool to draft rectangles by defining start and opposite corners.
These tools ensure flexibility and creativity in your design process.
FAQs
**1. Can I revert changes made to dimensions?**
Yes, you can undo changes using the undo command or by accessing the Modify option to revert styles and settings to a previous state.
**2. How do I apply dimensions to curved objects?**
Use radial or angular dimensions as they are specifically designed to work effectively with curves and arcs in your drawing.
**3. Is it possible to save custom dimension styles?**
Absolutely, Draftsight allows you to save custom styles for future use. Simply modify a style and select the option to save it as a new style for later application.
