AXIS PARALLEL

Purpose:

This function calculates the distances between two 3D points, along each cardinal axis and generates the complete dimensioning component automatically.

Instructions:

1. In Dimension menu, click 3D, then Axis Parallel.

2. Initially, a dialog showing current dimension controls and parameters is displayed.

3. Changes here can be done before first 3D point is given.

4. The user is requested to define two 3D points in an arbitrary view. Using these points it is possible to create up to three (depending on the view) linear measures, each along one of the cardinal axes.

5. Next, the user is requested to locate the dimension line in the currently proposed direction. A dialog controlling what direction to measure along, together with direction and base of witness lines, is displayed. The user may change these controls if desired. Once positioned, the system repeats this request for the two remaining measure directions. Note that the system will skip measure directions perpendicular to the selected view, and also measure directions yielding a zero distance.

6. During location of the dimension line, it is possible to change the dimensioning parameters (text height etc) by clicking Options and thus entering the Advanced function, see below.

7. Once all possible (and wanted) dimensions have been positioned, the user is requested to start all over by giving two new 3D points or quit the function. To remove the last created dimensioning, click Edit, then Delete Last Entity.

   

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 distance

• Ø - a diameter symbol to prepend

• Ref Lines - leaders, aiming at the measure points

Text and Arrow Layout

Four different layouts are possible:

• Text inside, both arrows inside

• Text inside, both arrows flipped

• Text outside, one arrow flipped

• Text outside, both arrows flipped

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

• ~D
  Diameter symbol

• ~+<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

• Fit control for dimension text in restricted spaces.

  • Shrink

  • Rotate

  • No adjust

• Position of the dimension text.

  • Above dimension line

  • Splitting the dimension line

  • Above the dimension line, but rotated

Blanking

The Blanking group shows current blanking status.

Blank Out - If checked, model geometry obscured by the resulting dimensioning will be removed.

Margin - The margin used when obscured model geometry is removed.

Dimensioning Form

Once the two points have been specified one of the dimensions is added for positioning. The Dimensioning form also appears for this dimension. Once it is positioned the next dimension and the relevant Dimensioning form will be displayed.

• Measure Along
  Shows along which cardinal direction the current dimensioning will be measured. Note that the system will accept neither a direction perpendicular to the selected view, nor a direction yielding a zero distance.

• Witness Along
  Shows along which cardinal direction the witness lines will be presented. For each measure along direction, there are two possible witness line directions.

• Witness Base
  Shows the base point for the witness lines. One of the witness lines will aim directly at the selected base point while the other will aim at projection of the non-base point.

• Add Help Ref Lines
  If checked, additional reference lines will be drawn from the non-base point along one or two cardinal axes to meet its corresponding witness line.

Options:

None.

Result:

A complete dimensioning component is added to the drawing.