Dimensioning 1

[toolfnatic]

When using smart dimension, vertical and horizontal dimension icon in solidworks 05 for sheet mode.

The program autmatically assumes I want an angular dimension there, is there a way to turn this off?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

It will (should) assume an angular dimension only if the elements you are selecting are not parallel.

If you select only one element ... eg; one side of a rectangle ... the horiz or vert dimension should apply.

If you select two points, then horiz, vert or aligned dimensions should apply.

What are you selecting?


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[toolfnatic]

I am dimensioning center to center of two holes using the center mark as a refrence

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You wrote angular which is usually used to express degrees of a circle ... did you mean aligned meaning the distance between two points regardless of orientation?

If the latter, just moving the cursor to the right or left should offer a horizontal or vertical dimension placement.


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[ctopher]

Dimension to the circles arc, not it's center.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[toolfnatic]

When I click on one center mark and then click on another it gives me a dimension like 90 degrees. I am looking for a linear dimension.

 

[ctopher]

Did you try clicking on the circle?? NOT the center?

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

As ctopher said "Dimension to the circles arc, not it's center."

When you select the centre mark you are actually selecting an axis not a point. If you select the arc or circle itself, then the centre point is selected & linear dimensions (horiz, vert & oriented) between the two points will be available.


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[toolfnatic]

Thanks that was it

 

[ctopher]

... cool! Glad it worked for you.
There are several different ways to do each command in SolidWorks.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[chancey]

Not to get off topic..but I would not dimension to center marks. I have found that they do not always update with model changes.

 

[SolidsMaster]

also note the new way in 2005 that dimensioning to circle/arcs work. The min/max or center options depend on the quadrant of the arc you pick. I'm not particullarly fond of the new method, it needs an icon or right click similar to the measure commands icons for measuring arcs. Try it.

J

 

[MElam]

SolidsMaster

They supposedly have addressed that in SP2. Default will go back to old behavior while holding shift down will allow min/max selection

 

[SolidsMaster]

That sounds better. At least they address problems and change interface when needed. Now we just need them to fix how the view border react.....

 

[ongybill]

I've had this same problem, and found if I zoom in and select the circle (as suggested here) it works ok, but isn't there a better way?

Using the center marks I can put in numerous dimensions from one view.

Once I start zooming in and out ro each dimension, to ensure I've got the circle, and that it's dimensioning to the center (not another quadrant) the time involved to dimension the part increases dramatically.

Works, but very slow. What's a better way?