How to Change Dimension Text Size in DraftSight?

Adjusting Dimension Text Size in Draftsight

Changing the dimension text size in Draftsight is an essential skill for precise drawing management. The text size can significantly impact the readability and clarity of your dimensions. Follow these steps to modify the dimension text size effectively.

Accessing the Dimension Style Manager

1. Open Draftsight: Launch Draftsight and open the drawing in which you want to modify the dimension text size.

2. Open the Dimension Style Manager: Navigate to the top menu and select the “Dimension” dropdown. Click on “Dimension Style Manager” or type DIMSTYLE in the command line and hit Enter.

3. Select a Dimension Style: In the Dimension Style Manager dialog box, you will see a list of available dimension styles. Choose the style you want to adjust.

Modifying Dimension Text Attributes

1. Click on Modify: After selecting the desired style, click on the "Modify" button to open the Modify Dimension Style dialog.

2. Navigate to the Text Tab: In the Modify Dimension Style dialog, switch to the “Text” tab. This section will allow you to change various text settings, including the height.

3. Set Text Style: Choose a text style from the dropdown list. If the selected text style doesn’t have a defined height, you can enter the height of the dimension text manually in the “Text Height” box. Typical values might be 1/8 inch or 3mm, but adjust this based on your drawing requirements.

4. Adjust Scaling for Heights: If you need to modify tolerance text sizes, scroll to the "Tolerances" section. Here, you can specify a height for tolerance values in the “Scaling for Height” box.

5. Apply the Changes: After making the necessary adjustments, click “OK” to save your changes.

Updating Dimension Text in Graphics Area

1. Confirm the Changes: Once you have modified the dimension style, you may need to update the existing dimensions in your drawing. Select the dimensions that you wish to affect.

2. Update Selected Dimensions: With the dimensions selected, press Enter to apply the new text settings. The dimension texts will now reflect your updated sizes based on the adjusted style settings.

Check Default Text Size if Necessary

If you find that your changes are still not reflecting as expected, you may want to check the default text size settings:

1. Default Text Height: The default Text Height in Draftsight can sometimes be set to a large value. Navigate to the Text Style dialog to ensure that the default height for your dimension text style does not exceed what is practical for your drawings.

2. Set Absolute Defaults: It’s advisable to set the text style for dimensions to a height of 0 (zero) in the Text Style dialog box. This allows the dimension height to universally control the text size in your drawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I change the overall units for dimensions in Draftsight?
To change the units for your drawing in Draftsight, click on “Format” and select “Unit System.” Adjust your preferences in the dialog that appears, then click OK to apply.

2. What if my dimensions still appear too small after my adjustments?
If the dimension text remains small, ensure that you are using the correct dimension style that you modified. Additionally, verify that the annotation scale for your layout viewports is set appropriately.

3. Is it possible to set different text sizes for different dimensions?
Yes, you can create multiple dimension styles with different text sizes and attributes. This allows various dimensions in the same drawing to have distinct text appearances as needed. Simply create a new style in the Dimension Style Manager and customize it accordingly.