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Dimension Commands

About 3 min

Dimension Commands

Dimension commands are used to create various types of dimension annotations, including linear, angular, radius, and more.

Dimension Overview

A dimension consists of the following parts:

  • Dimension Line: A line showing the measurement direction
  • Extension Line: A line extending from the dimension point to the dimension line
  • Arrowhead: Markers at both ends of the dimension line
  • Dimension Text: Text displaying the measured value

DIMLINEAR - Linear Dimension

Creates a horizontal or vertical linear dimension.

Command Name: DIMLINEAR
Alias: DLI

Usage

Command: DIMLINEAR
Specify first point: <Click or enter coordinates>
Specify second point: <Click or enter coordinates>
Specify dimension line location: <Click dimension placement location>
Created linear dimension: xxx.xx

Instructions

  • The dimension direction (horizontal/vertical) is determined by the dimension line location
  • When the cursor is above/below the dimension points (large vertical offset), a horizontal dimension is created
  • When the cursor is to the left/right of the dimension points (large horizontal offset), a vertical dimension is created

Associative Dimensions

When a pick point falls on a line entity, the dimension becomes associated with that line:

  • When the associated line is moved, rotated, or scaled, the dimension updates automatically
  • Displays "Created associative linear dimension"

Example

DIMLINEAR
0,0
100,0
50,-30

DIMALIGNED - Aligned Dimension

Creates a dimension parallel to the line connecting two points.

Command Name: DIMALIGNED
Alias: DAL

Usage

Command: DIMALIGNED
Specify first point: <Click or enter coordinates>
Specify second point: <Click or enter coordinates>
Specify dimension line location: <Click dimension placement location>

Differences from Linear Dimension

TypeMeasurement Direction
Linear DimensionHorizontal or vertical component
Aligned DimensionActual distance between two points

DIMANGULAR - Angular Dimension

Creates an angular dimension.

Command Name: DIMANGULAR
Alias: DAN

Usage

Command: DIMANGULAR
Select arc, circle, line, or <specify vertex>: <Select object or press Enter>

Methods

  1. Select arc: Dimensions the included angle of the arc
  2. Select circle: Specify two points to determine the angle
  3. Select line: Select a second line to dimension the included angle
  4. Specify vertex: Manually specify three points for the angle

DIMRADIUS - Radius Dimension

Creates a radius dimension for a circle or arc.

Command Name: DIMRADIUS
Alias: DRA

Usage

Command: DIMRADIUS
Select circle or arc: <Select object>
Specify leader location: <Click dimension location>
Created radius dimension: Rxxx.xx

Instructions

  1. Select a circle or arc
  2. Move the cursor to determine the leader direction and length
  3. When the cursor is outside the circle, the leader extends outward
  4. When the cursor is inside the circle, the leader points toward the center

Dimension Format

Radius dimensions display an "R" prefix, e.g., "R50"

DIMDIAMETER - Diameter Dimension

Creates a diameter dimension for a circle or arc.

Command Name: DIMDIAMETER
Alias: DDI

Usage

Command: DIMDIAMETER
Select arc or circle: <Select object>
Specify dimension line location: <Click dimension location>

Dimension Format

Diameter dimensions display a "Ø" prefix, e.g., "Ø100"

DIMARCLENGTH - Arc Length Dimension

Creates an arc length dimension.

Command Name: DIMARCLENGTH
Alias: DAR

Usage

Command: DIMARCLENGTH
Select arc: <Select arc>
Specify arc length dimension location: <Click dimension location>

Dimension Format

Arc length dimensions display an arc symbol prefix

DIMORDINATE - Ordinate Dimension

Creates an X or Y coordinate dimension for a point.

Command Name: DIMORDINATE
Alias: DOR

Usage

Command: DIMORDINATE
Specify feature location: <Click the point to dimension>
Specify leader endpoint: <Click leader endpoint>

Automatic Detection

  • When the leader moves more in the horizontal direction, the Y coordinate is dimensioned
  • When the leader moves more in the vertical direction, the X coordinate is dimensioned

DIMCONTINUE - Continue Dimension

Creates a dimension continuing from the second extension line of the previous dimension.

Command Name: DIMCONTINUE
Alias: DCO

Usage

Command: DIMCONTINUE
Specify second extension line origin: <Click next dimension point>

Workflow

  1. First create a linear or aligned dimension
  2. Execute DIMCONTINUE
  3. Continuously click subsequent dimension points
  4. Press Enter to finish

MLEADER - Multileader

Creates an annotation with a leader line.

Command Name: MLEADER
Alias: MLD

Usage

Command: MLEADER
Specify leader arrowhead location: <Click arrowhead location>
Specify leader landing location: <Click text location>

DIMSTYLE - Dimension Style

Manages dimension styles.

Command Name: DIMSTYLE
Alias: D

Usage

Command: DIMSTYLE

Opens the dimension style manager after execution, where you can set:

SettingDescription
Dimension LineColor, linetype, extension length
Extension LineColor, offset, overshoot
ArrowheadsStyle, size
TextStyle, height, position, alignment
Primary UnitsPrecision, prefix, suffix, scale

Dimension Best Practices

Dimension Scale Settings

Set DIMSCALE according to the drawing scale:

  • 1:100 drawing, DIMSCALE = 100
  • 1:50 drawing, DIMSCALE = 50

Dimension Layer

It is recommended to place dimensions on a separate layer:

CLAYER
Dimensions

DIMLINEAR
...

Continue Dimension Tips

Using DIMCONTINUE allows you to quickly create a series of continuous dimensions while keeping dimension lines aligned.

Script Example

; Create a rectangle with dimensions
LINE
0,0
200,0
200,150
0,150
C

; Dimension width
DIMLINEAR
0,0
200,0
100,-30

; Dimension height
DIMLINEAR
200,0
200,150
230,75

Next Steps