Create Dimension Chains

With all functions in the submenu 'Create dimension chains' you can create dimension chains directly. No dialog boxes open in order to make the process as fast as possible. All settings are made beforehand via the dimension styles.

The input distinguishes horizontal, vertical and arbitrary dimension chains. For horizontal dimension chains you can click arbitrary points, but a horizontal dimension chain is always created. For vertical dimension chains a vertical dimension chain is always created, even if the clicked points are horizontally offset. For arbitrary dimension chains the direction is defined by the first two clicked points. Points clicked afterwards are inserted on this line.

A further distinction is made between end dimensioning and intermediate dimensioning or a combination of both:

The End dimensioning (also called absolute dimensioning) has a zero point located at the first clicked point of the dimension chain. All further dimensions refer to this zero point. The dimension numbers of the end dimensioning are always perpendicular to the dimension line on the dimension extension line. If the distances between the dimensions are so small that the dimension numbers would touch, they are automatically shifted by the program. The extension line then lengthens slightly and kinks so that the association can be recognized more easily.

The Intermediate dimensioning (also called relative dimensioning) has no zero point. The dimensions are incremental; each measurement is the distance from one extension line to the next. The dimension numbers of the intermediate dimensioning are parallel to the dimension line and centered between the extension lines. If the distances between the dimensions are so small that the dimension numbers would touch, they are automatically rotated perpendicular by the program. If the dimensions are so small that they would still touch after rotation, they are automatically shifted by the program. In addition, extra guide lines then appear that point from the midpoint between two extension lines to the respective dimension number.

The Combined intermediate/end dimensioning is a combination of the two dimension chain types described above. With one dimension chain an end dimensioning and simultaneously an intermediate dimensioning can be created. Otherwise the same rules apply as for the individual dimension types:

With the function 'Insert (dimension)' you can insert points into an existing dimension chain. To do this, first select the dimension chain and then any number of points whose dimension will be inserted into the dimension chain.

The function 'Enable intermediate points' activates an automatic mode for all dimensioning functions. When this option is enabled, all endpoints of lines that lie on the imaginary line between the first and second clicked point are automatically dimensioned. This menu option is a toggle switch. As such, this option can be turned on and off with the same icon.

All input and snap functions are available for entering points in the dimension chains.

After entering dimensions or when moving dimension chains, a dimension-line grid can be used for positioning.

• Setting of the dimension-line grid:

  • In the plan program the setting is made separately for each window in the 7-1 Window Properties.

  • In the building model the setting belongs to the 1-7-01 Aids.

  • The grid spacing is measured on paper, as is usually the case for the text height.

  • The grid spacing is used for subsequent moves. There is no automatic re-positioning of dimension chains when the value is changed.

• Selection of the reference dimension chain or line:

  • Initially the dimension chain can be created or moved as before without grid snapping.

  • When moving the dimension chain a red snap box appears that is always on a line with the dimension chain but can also be moved beyond it. If there is another dimension chain or line under the snap box that is parallel to the current dimension chain, it will be highlighted. Pressing the space bar makes the highlighted line or dimension chain the reference.

  • Now the dimension chain moves only in steps corresponding to the set dimension-line grid. The red snap box is no longer visible.

  • If you press the space bar again, you can move the dimension chain without stepping again and the red snap box reappears.

With the snap box and space bar any dimension chain or line becomes the reference; it only needs to be parallel to the current dimension chain. Since you can move the snap box along the dimension chain beyond it, it is also possible to choose a dimension chain or line with which there is no overlap.