SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [234]
The second method is to set the color for driven dimensions to black rather than gray. You find this color setting by choosing Tools⇒Options⇒Color⇒Dimensions Non-Imported (Driven).
FIGURE 17.8
The Page Setup dialog box
Ordinate and baseline dimensions
Ordinate and baseline dimensions are appropriate for collections of linear dimensions when you have a number of items that can all be dimensioned from the same reference. Flat patterns of sheet metal parts often fall into this category. When you apply ordinate dimensions, a zero location is selected first, followed by each entity for which you want a dimension. When dimensions become too tightly packed, SolidWorks automatically jogs the witness lines to space out the dimensions adequately. You can create jogs manually by using the RMB menu. Once you create a set of ordinate dimensions, you can add to the set by selecting Add To Ordinate from the RMB menu.
Baseline dimensions are normal linear dimensions that all come from the same reference and are stacked together at a defined spacing. To find the default settings for baseline dimensions, choose Tools⇒Options⇒Dimensions⇒Offset Distances.
Tip
Baseline dimensions work best either when they are horizontal or when the dimension text is aligned with the dimension line (as is the default situation with the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, standard dimensioning). Vertical dimensions where the text is horizontal do not usually stack as neatly because the dimension text runs over the dimension line of the adjacent dimensions. Figure 17.9 shows ordinate and baseline dimensions in the same view.
You can access ordinate and baseline dimensions from the Dimensions/Relations toolbar or by right-clicking in a blank space, selecting More Dimensions, and then selecting the type of dimension that you want to use.
Autodimensioning
If the Insert Model Items feature is not likely to produce dimensions that are usable in a manufacturing drawing, then the Autodimension feature is even less likely to do so. However, if you use autodimensioning in a controlled way, in the right situations, it can be a valid way to create selected dimensions. The Autodimension PropertyManager is shown in Figure 17.10. Autodimension is only available in the drawing environment. In the part environment, similar functionality for sketches is part of the Fully Define Sketch tool. To access Autodimension, click the Smart Dimension toolbar icon and click the Autodimension tab in the PropertyManager.
FIGURE 17.9
Ordinate and baseline dimensions in the same view
FIGURE 17.10
The Autodimension PropertyManager interface
The Autodimension function can fully dimension the geometry in a drawing view. This is best for ordinate or baseline dimensioning where many dimensions are derived from a common reference, as is often the case with sheet metal parts or a plate with many holes drilled in it. You should limit the use of this option to cases where that type of dimensioning is what you would choose, having the choice of all available types of dimensions — do not allow the software to dictate the dimensioning scheme for your drawing.
Reference sketches
For some types of dimensions, you may need to create additional reference sketch entities. For example, with angle dimensions, it may be desirable to add construction lines to help define the angle. You can add centerlines as separate axis-like entities, as discussed in Chapter 16, but you can also sketch in centerlines manually if needed. This type of sketch is most often attached to the view rather than the drawing sheet.
Tip
Remember that, if necessary, you can create angle dimensions by selecting three points (vertex of the