# Dimensions Dimensions can be created in the composite element. * These dimensions can be located in the current building element as well as in other building elements. For example, when inserting into a wall, a dimension can be created in the storey (floor plan). * The points to be dimensioned are described by means of coordinates with all possibilities of formulas. This makes it possible to dimension any points of the composite element. In addition, special points of the building elements are also offered, for example the left wall end. * Dimensions from different composite elements can also be combined into a single dimension. If various installation objects have been entered along a wall, they should, for example, be recorded in a chain of dimensions. In the composite elements, this can be controlled so that the consolidation occurs automatically. Even if changes are made later, the entire chain of dimensions is regenerated accordingly. The orientation of the dimension chain and the dimensioned points depend on the various coordinate systems: * The orientation of the dimension chains is based on the insertion coordinate system when they are inserted into the base building element; otherwise, it is based on the projected insertion coordinate system. For more details, see the chapter: Shifting and projections of insertion coordinate systems. * The dimensioned points are defined in the insertion coordinate system. For dimensioning, they are projected perpendicularly onto the drawing plane. This is the drawing plane of the building element into which the dimension chain is to be inserted. * Since the dimensioned points are projected, one coordinate is automatically set to 0. Therefore, this coordinate is already locked in the input in some cases. When a dimension is created, it is automatically assigned a number: 1, 2, etc. * The number is displayed on the left in the tree element of the composite element. * A description can be entered below the reference image on the right. This serves for documentation. The first part of the description is also displayed on the left in the tree element of the composite element. This makes it much easier to identify the dimension in the tree element. Dimension style: The dimension style for the dimension chain. * Here, the name of a dimension style can be selected. The dimension styles stored in the settings are displayed, not those of the current structure. * Only the name of the dimension style is saved. * If the composite element is inserted into a structure, and a dimension style with this name exists in the structure, its settings are used. * If the dimension style is not yet present in the structure, it is searched for in the saved settings and, if necessary, transferred to the structure. * If the dimension style is not found in the saved settings either, the dimension chain is not created and a corresponding message is displayed. Layer: The layer to which the dimension chain is to be assigned. * Here, the name of a layer can be selected. In both the drop list and the layer dialog box, which is opened via the browser button, the layers of the current structure are displayed. * Only the name of the layer is saved. * If the composite element is inserted into a structure, a layer with this name is searched for in the structure. If the layer is present in the structure, its settings are used. * If the layer is not yet present in the structure, it is created with default values: line type = solid, line weight = standard line weight from 'DICAM 1-7-2 Screen Elements Settings', color set = black, scale = 1:50. * For the dimension chain to be displayed correctly, it requires a scale. This is stored in the structure on the layer. The dimension chain is then displayed in the correct size ratio to the other elements in the representation. * If, when inserting the composite element, the layer for the dimension chain has a scale of 1:1, the dimension chain would be very difficult to read. Therefore, a dialog appears automatically in which either another layer can be selected or the layer scale can be changed. Dimension chain type: Dimension chain type as in manual entry. Additional text, position of additional text: * An additional text can be displayed on the dimension chain, as in manual entry. The additional text may consist of direct entries and variables. See the chapter 'Variables in texts, identification numbers'. * Position of the additional text as in manual entry of dimension chains. Grouping identifier: Dimension chains with the same identifier are later combined into one dimension chain. * An arbitrary text consisting of letters and numbers is entered here as the identifier. It should express the purpose of the dimension chain, e.g. 'sanitary'. * Dimension chains without an identifier are not combined with other dimension chains without an identifier. * For dimension chains to be consolidated, they must match in the following properties: * Grouping identifier * Direction in the drawing plane * Dimension chain type (intermediate dimensioning, end dimensioning, ..) * Building element to which they belong * Building element to which the dimension refers, see 'Reference' below * Layer to which they belong 'insert in composite element' and conditions: * Here, the conditions under which the dimension is to be created can be defined. Further information can be found in the chapter 'Conditions'. Insert in: The dimension is created in the specified building element. * Only building elements that are available at that moment can be used. Orientation: For the basic orientation of the dimension chain, the options 'horizontal (along X)' and 'vertical (along Y or Z)' are available. * The orientation of the dimension chains is based on the insertion coordinate system when they are inserted into the base building element; otherwise, it is based on the projected insertion coordinate system. For more details, see the chapter: Shifting and projections of insertion coordinate systems. Dimension chain offset: This is the distance of the dimension chain from the axis of the insertion coordinate system or the projected insertion coordinate system. * For horizontal (along X) dimension chains, this is the distance from the Y or Z axis. For vertical (along Y or Z) dimension chains, this is the distance from the X axis. * If, for example, a composite element is inserted into the wall and a dimension chain is created in the storey parallel to the wall (= horizontal), a negative offset moves the dimension chain away from the wall. * If the dimension chain is later moved manually in the structure, this changed offset is entered into the inserted composite element. During a recalculation, the changed offset is therefore retained. Building element for reference, edge for reference, building element layer for reference: Certain points of the existing building elements can be included in the dimension chain. * At present, layer edges of walls can be used for this purpose. * The layer whose layer edges are to be used is entered in 'Building element layer for reference'. * The 'edge for reference' determines which of the layer edges is included in the dimension chain. This depends on the orientation of the dimension chain: * For horizontal dimension chains, these are the left, right, left and right, or the nearest vertical edge. The nearest vertical edges are usually edges at door and window openings. * For vertical dimension chains, these are the lower, upper, or the lower and upper layer edges. The edges are searched for at the origin of the insertion coordinate system. This must be taken into account especially for walls that are sloped at the top. Dimension points, X, Y, Z offset: Here, the coordinates of any number of points for the dimension chain can be specified: * When specifying the point coordinates, the coordinate systems must be observed; see the description at the beginning of this chapter. Due to the orientation of the dimension chain, the irrelevant coordinate is locked; it is automatically set to 0. * At least 2 points or 1 point and the reference to a layer edge must be specified. * (16.01) A distribution formula can be used to generate dimensioned points at equal intervals in a single step. If components, library elements, or point symbols have previously been generated via distributions, the same values can often be used here. Further information on distributions: **Variablen\_Ud16\_\*.doc**, chapter "*Repetitions in formulas*". If, for example, the formula **(1.20\~0.33\~5)** is entered for the X coordinate, then starting at 1.20 m, a total of 5 points are dimensioned at intervals of 0.33 m. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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