SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [235]
Understanding dimension options
The Dimension PropertyManager contains settings, default overrides, tolerances, styles, and several other important settings for use with dimensions. The PropertyManager for driven dimensions is shown in Figure 17.11. I cover styles and tolerances specifically later in this chapter; the other tabs of the Dimension PropertyManager are as follows.
FIGURE 17.11
The Dimension PropertyManager interface
Dimension Text
The Dimension Text panel enables you to add text to the dimension. You can add lines of text both above and below the dimension value itself, and you can also add text before and after the DIM value on the same line. The DIM field is what places the actual value; if this syntax is somehow deleted, you can type it back in and the dimension will still work.
The Dimension Text panel includes some formatting tools, such as justification settings and a setting for the position of the dimension line. The last two rows of buttons include the more commonly used symbols, with access to the complete library, such as any custom symbols that you may have made for the library.
Primary Value Override
The most famous bad habit former AutoCAD users use is overriding dimension values. Apparently due to popular demand, the Primary Value Override is now available in SolidWorks, in the Dimension PropertyManager, as shown in Figure 17.11. This option was added to the software mainly to enable the creation of dimensions with words instead of numbers, as shown in Figure 17.12.
FIGURE 17.12
Using the Override Dimension value
Display Options
You can control the default setting for parentheses around driven (reference) dimensions in the Add Parenthesis By Default dialog box by selecting the choosing Tools⇒Options⇒Document Properties⇒Dimensions⇒Add Parentheses By Default.
Although you can also control dual dimension defaults in the Options dialog box by choosing Tools⇒Options, you can turn them on and off from this interface for individual dimensions. When you enable the Dual Dimension option, SolidWorks uses the settings from the Tools⇒Options menu.
Note
The Display Options now appear on the RMB menu. The options shown in Figure 17.11 are different depending on what type of dimension you have selected. In the images in this chapter, a diameter dimension was used.
The foreshortened radius is only valid for individual radial dimensions. A foreshortened radius is shown in Figure 17.13. Foreshortened radius dimensions are typically used for large radii when dimensions to the centerpoint are not important. The Foreshortened radius function does not work on diameter dimensions. The inspection dimension is shown in Figure 17.13 with an oval around the dimension.
You cannot foreshorten a diameter; however, you can dimension a diameter and then hide the extension line and dimension line in one direction. This option is found by right-clicking on boththe extension line and dimension line, and there is an option in the RMB menu for hide extension line and hide dimension line. This is useful if you have a diameter dimension in a detail view where the opposite side of the diameter is outside the detail view. This can also be used for linear dimensions that terminate to a known end outside the drawing view.
FIGURE 17.13
A foreshortened radius
Witness/Leader Display
This panel enables you to set the arrows and dimension lines to be placed inside the witness lines. You can perform this function more easily by using the handles on the arrowheads. From this panel, you can also change the display type of individual arrowheads.
Break Lines
When you select the Use document gap option in this panel, the witness, or extension, lines of the selected dimension are broken by other crossing dimension lines, witness lines, or arrows. This is shown in Figure 17.14.
FIGURE 17.14
Broken witness lines
Cross-Reference
Layers are discussed in detail in Chapter 18.
Formatting