Dimension Line Text
- Last UpdatedApr 27, 2023
- 3 minute read
Dimension line text (DMTX) is set by a command of the form:
DMTX ’text’
Example
DMTX ’ACCESS SPACE’
DMTX ’ACCESS SPACE #/#DIM’
#DIM in the example takes the value of the dimension. #DIM is a simple case of intelligent text. Refer to Intelligent Text for further information. Note that in the case of non-truncated parallel dimensions, the dimension line spacing is automatically adjusted to accommodate two or more lines of text if these are input. Dimension line text can be set at Dimension Point or Dimension level, although in the latter case the text input is attached to all the dimension lines involved. Associated commands are:
|
DMTX DEFAULT |
- (at Dimension Point level): set dimension text to that of owning Dimension |
Dimension text is automatically centre-justified, but its position relative to the dimension line can be varied by changing the setting of the dimension text offset (DTOF) attribute. For example:
|
DTOF 0 5 |
- move dimension text origin 5mm along axis parallel to projection line in text up vector direction (= perpendicular to dimension line in most cases) |
|
DTOF @ |
- move dimension text origin to cursor position |
|
DTOF N 1 @ |
- move x coordinate of dimension text origin to cursor position (y coordinate not changed) |
|
DTOF N 2 5 |
- change y coordinate of dimension text origin by 5mm (x coordinate not changed) |
Note also:
|
DTOF DEF |
- use default Dimension offset value, not Dimension Point value |
|
DTOF STAN |
- equivalent to DTOF 0 0, the standard position |
|
DTOF ENDP OF /LINE1 QUAL X500 Y500 |
- DTOF defined by a ‘constructed point’. Refer to Point and Line Construction for further information. |
The dimension text origin is at the centre of and approximately half a character height ‘below’ the text.
Note that if there is insufficient space between the ends of two projection lines to enable the dimension line text to be fitted in parallel to the dimension line, it is automatically rotated by 90 degrees. Reducing the text character size can result in their being enough room to display the text parallel to the dimension line.
Dimension text angle can be controlled using the DTANGLE attribute. The attribute is available both at dimension and dimension point level. Possible settings are:
DTANGLE STANDARD
DTANG HORIZ
DTANG VERT
DTANG EXTERNAL
DTANG PARALLEL
PTANG DEFAULT
The STANDARD setting gives dimension line text parallel to the dimension line except when there is insufficient room for it, when it is drawn parallel to the projection-line, for example, external dimension line text. STANDARD is the default setting for Dimension elements. The text is positioned by default just above the middle of the dimension line except that external text is centered on the centre of the dimension line. If the text is not external, then its position is constrained to lie between the projection lines.
The HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL settings cause the dimension line text to be drawn respectively horizontally or vertically in the VIEW. By default the text is centered on middle of the dimension line.
The EXTERNAL setting forces the dimension line text to be drawn parallel to the projection line even though there is room for it to be drawn parallel to the dimension line. By default the text is centered on middle of the dimension line. If the text is not external in the STANDARD case, then its position is constrained to lie between the projection lines.
The PARALLEL setting forces the dimension line text to be drawn parallel to the dimension line even though there may be insufficient space for it to fit. By default the text is positioned just above the middle of the dimension line. If the text is not external in the STANDARD case, then its position is constrained to lie between the projection lines.
The DEFAULT setting is only available at Dimension Points. The DTANGLE value can be taken from the Dimension element (LDIM or ADIM). Otherwise the setting at the Dimension Point is used, which is the default setting for Dimension Points.
