Measuring from reference lines in a drawing

[rikonen]

I often bring up a drawing and want to just sketch a few quick reference lines or arcs tangent for calculating quick roll dimensions and am wondering why I can not measure between these entitities created and the original model geometry? I get the message "connot measure between a sketch entity created in a drawing view and a model entity" It's a drawing, what's the reason behind not being able to add geometry at the drawing level and not be able to use the measure function to find numbers but are able to dimension them? no big deal, just curious?

 

[ctopher]

I just tried it and it worked for me. Unless I misunderstand.
You can dim it, then hide the dim.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[smcadman]

I assume you are talking about using the Measure tool on a drawing.
You're right because I get the message:
"Cannot measure between a sketch entity created in a drawing view and a model entity."

SW07 SP1.0

Flores

 

[ctopher]

I added a view to a dwg, then a sketch. The measure tool measured fine. (SW 2006)
Is it a bug in 2007?
I'm still waiting for my server guru to give me permission to update to 2007.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[smcadman]

Ctopher, did you pick both the lines of the model in the drawing AND the reference lines? I got the same message with SW06 SP5.0

SW07 SP1.0

Flores

 

[ctopher]

I added a view, then sketched some lines on the dwg. I can measure between points of the sketch lines and model. I can not measure between lines, but no error messages.
rikonen, can you show a pic?

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[rikonen]

Chris,

If your computer is allowing you to do it then there's something different on your computer than mine, three others I have tried it on as well as my VAR. Any drawing file with a view shown, add one horizontal line anywhere and then hit measure(not dimension), click the reference line you added as well as any other horizontal line from the existing view and you shoulod get the message me, smcadman, and my VAR are getting. If not then I'd like to talk to you about how your options are set up to see what's different that's allowing you to do it.

 

[ctopher]

OK
Email me from my web site with your phone #, I will call you.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

rikonen ... When sketching in a drawing, make sure the view you are working in has its focus locked. If the sketch entities are outside of the view, the measure tool will not accept them as "belonging" to the model in that view. It's similar to not being able to dimension or measure between views.

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[rikonen]

CorBlimeyLimey,

I have tried locking the focus and the lines do not leave the model geometry. It's something that my VAR has the same results and hasn't called me back with an answer yet either.

 

[ctopher]

rikonen,
Can you show me a pic or video of what you are doing exactly so I can duplicate it?
Thanks

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[TheTick]

You get that message when the entities you are measuring are not part of the same view. Try using "Lock View Focus" before sketching. Do this by right-clicking the view and selecting "Lock View Focus". This will ensure that the sketch entities you draw are associated with the view you intend.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Son of a *@#%$

I just tried again (SW06 & 07) and it no longer works. I too now get the "Cannot measure between a sketch entity created in a drawing view and a model entity" message.

I'm sure It worked the first time.

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[rikonen]

Here's a picture showing what I'm talking about, measure (not dimension) between the reference lines and the model geometry. locking the focus ends with similiar results. Any other ideas?

 

[ctopher]

OK
I see the message now. The error is because you dimensioning between a 2D object and a 3D model. You can add a line between the line and the model and measure that line. The easiest way is to just add a dim, then delete/hide it if not needed.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Agreed ... but if SW can dimension from model entity to sketch entity it should be able to measure from them.

ER time?

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[ctopher]

Yes, a good ER.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Ahah ... just found out why it worked the first time.

Of all the drawings I could have opened, I chose one which had sketch lines on top of the model edges. I vaguely remember playing around with drawing view sketches ages ago. This must have been the test piece.

What were the chances of that happening? ... I think I'll buy extra lottery tickets tonight.

​

Helpful SW websites faq559-520​

How to find answers ... faq559-1091​

SW2006-SP5 Basic ... No PDM​

 

[ctopher]

You reminded me, I'll buy one too tinight.
Good luck!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)