dimension locking to model geometry

[bucky762]

On a drawing, can the location of dimensions be locked relative to model geometry so that when a different configuration of the model is selected the drawing view updates and the dimensions are positioned correctly relative to the model.
ie. when the location of an undercut on a shaft moves axially the diameter dimension will also move axially and will therfore still be correctly positioned.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Manually placed or Insert > Model Items placed dimensions should re-position themselves automatically when configs are changed or the model is modified. If they do not, the most likely cause is that they are not placed correctly.
ie. The geometry is not being selected properly.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[bucky762]

Thanks for your reply,
Not being funny but what do you mean "they are not placed correctly"?
I select the 2 edges and place the dimension at an appropriate position is there a better way of positioning them?
Normally I would just re-position the dimensions but I am trying to create a master shaft drawing from a master shaft assembly model comprising of 5 stub shafts which will have multiple configurations of each stub although the final shaft will be one piece. I have created the drawing using configurations of the assembly showing each stub seperately and overlaying one on top of the other, all seems to work well except when I go from a shorter version back to a longer version the dimensions do not move with drawing view and end up out of position.
Reason behind this method.
The shaft may have over 1000 configurations if it was to be done as 1 part and I do not believe it would be possible to cofigure the different dia's and undercuts etc in 1 part, doing it this way I should be able to copy assembly and drawing, rename and select the configurations required and the drawing would update to show all correct dia's and lenghts etc therfore require minimal user input to finish.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

By "they are not placed correctly" I was thinking perhaps that when selecting geometry, the dimension may have chosen a line or point which was not associated with the geometry you were seeing. (A line hiddem behind or close to another ... or similar).

Wherever possible I use the Insert > Model Items method to place dimensions. That way the dimensions controlling the actual model are re-used ... I'm not creating duplicates.

After reading your last post, I am confused as to what you are doing when you say "overlaying one on top of the other".
Are you superimposing several views on top of each other? If so that is why you are having the problem. The placed dimension is only being attached to one config.

Can you better explain your method?


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[bucky762]

This is probably pushing the boundaries slightly and is difficult to explain in a short message but I am trying to create the shaft drawings I mentioned with very little input from a draughtsman and to standardise all the dimensions at the design stage I have created a modular shaft design with 5 modules(some modules are also replacable ie different bearing types).
I am superimposing several views on top of each other but the dimensions are all put in their own view and the views are all aligned to the assembly origin(hence the need for an assembly).
As an example:- I have 2 shafts exactly the same but one has a shorter centre stub shaft, when I change the assembly model it rebuilds to a shorter shaft.
On the drawing which has a view for each stub shaft from a
derived configuration of the shaft assembly model the views move to the correct position due to the assembly origin alignment but the dia dimensions do not always move with it although they stay linked and are not dangling ie the witness lines will just extend to the dia's new poition.
I have tried this on a simplified model, trying "model dimensions" and also dimensions added into the drawing view and sometimes the dimensions move, other times they don't but I cannot identify how to ensure they move every time, I was wanting to fix the dimensions to the geometry.

Sorry I am sure I am still not explaining it very well but it took a while just to figure out the method let alone explain it.