CURVED

Purpose:

This function calculates the length of a 2D curve (a contour or part of it) in the current drawing and generates the complete Dimensioning component automatically.

Instructions:

In Dimension menu, click Curved.

First, the contour to measure is indicated.

Next, the user is prompted to supply an arbitrary number (at least two) of restricting points on the contour. These points are used to divide the contour in subparts. Each such subpart will then be measured. The definition of restricting points is completed by clicking Operation Complete. Note that the points may be given in any order, they will eventually be sorted along the curve. If no restriction points are defined, the ends of the contour are used as restriction points and the whole contour will then be measured.

Next, the resulting dimension line (a copy of the measured curve) is dragged into desired location by the user. Click Operation Complete at this stage to skip the dimension and witness lines.

Finally, if Text Adjust (see below) has been ordered, the user has the possibility to indicate and transform any of the resulting submeasure texts. Complete with Operation Complete.

Once created, the user is requested to create another dimensioning or quit the function. To remove the last created dimensioning, click Edit, then Delete Last Entity.

Initially, a dialog showing current dimension controls and parameters is displayed. Changes here can be done before the contour is indicated.

Type

The Type group shows the type of the resulting dimensioning:

• Normal means that lengths of each curve subpart are presented.

• Chain means that distances (along the curve) from the base point to each other curve restricting point are presented on a common dimension line. The base point is one the two end-most restricting points on the curve, depending on the order of two first restricting points given.

• Staircase presents the same distances as Chain but each one on a separate dimension line.

Tolerance

The Tolerance group shows the tolerance that will be appended to the resulting dimension text.

• None means no tolerance will be appended

• ± means symmetric tolerance. The value is typed in the field below.

• +/- means unsymmetrical tolerance. The Max and Min values are typed in the two fields below.

Include

The Include group shows what should be included in the resulting dimension text:

• Value - the measured distances

• Ref Lines - leaders, aiming at the restriction points on the curve

Text and Arrow Layout

Four different layouts for single-measure dimensionings of type Normal are possible:

• Text inside, both arrows inside

• Text inside, both arrows flipped

• Text outside, one arrow flipped

• Text outside, both arrows flipped

Text Adjust

If Text Adjust is on, it will be possible to identify and adjust any of the resulting submeasure texts, using the general 2D transformation tool.

Dimension Text

This field controls the format of the resulting dimension text. It is built up by intelligent markers and optionally string constants.

By clicking the Reset button, the contents of the field is reset to system default (only the measured distance is presented).

Intelligent markers available:

• #DIM()
  The measured distance

• ~+<symmetric value>
  Symmetric tolerance

• ~+<max value>/<min value>
  Unsymmetrical tolerance

• #/

• New-line separator

  Note: The field is normally not edited by user. However, arbitrary text may be inserted at any position in between the intelligent markers.

Parameters

By selecting the Advanced button the user can view and optionally change any of the remaining parameters controlling the layout of the dimensioning. The parameters are:

• Number of decimal positions in the measured distance.

• Type and size of arrowhead at the ends of dimension lines.

• Height of dimension text.

• Various tolerances controlling the layout of resulting dimensioning, like

  • Distance text-line

  • Reference line gap

  • Reference line excess

  • Chain gap

  • Staircase factor

• Fit control for dimension text in restricted spaces.

  • Shrink

  • Rotate

  • No adjust

• Position of the dimension text.

  Alternatives for normal dimensionings:

  • Above dimension line

  • Splitting the dimension line

  • Above the dimension line, but rotated

    Alternatives for chained dimensionings:

  • Centered

  • At arrow

  • At arrow, rotated

  • At reference line, rotated

Options:

None.

Result:

A complete dimensioning component, containing the dimension line, the measure text and the reference lines are added to the drawing.