Creating linear dimensions

Linear dimensions annotate linear distances or lengths and can be oriented either horizontally, vertically or aligned parallel to an existing entity or to the selected origin points.

The following commands create linear dimension entities:

  • DIMLINEAR: Creates horizontal and vertical linear dimensions with respect to the current coordinate system (World or UCS).
  • DIMALIGNED: Creates dimensions parallel to (aligned with) lines and polyline segments. The command also works with polyline arc segments, arcs, and circles, but dimensions their diameters (see DIMDIAMETER command).
  • DIMBASELINE: Places multiple linear and angular dimensions, all starting at the same base point of an existing dimension. This command works only when at least one other dimension already exists in the drawing.
  • DIMCONTINUE: Places a chain of dimensions by continuing linear or angular dimensions from the endpoint of the previous dimension or another existing dimension.
  • DIMARC: Places dimensions that measure the lengths of arcs and polyline arc segments.

To create a horizontal or vertical linear dimension

  1. Launch the DIMLINEAR command.

    You are prompted: Origin of first extension line <Select entity>:

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Specify the origin of the first extension line, then specify the origin of the second extension line.
    • Press Enter, then select the line or linear segment of a polyline you want to dimension.

    The dimension line is dynamically displayed.

    Move the cursor in to create a horizontal dimension, or horizontally to create a vertical dimension.

  3. Specify a point to position the dimension line.

To create an aligned linear dimension

  1. Launch the DIMALIGNED command.

    You are prompted: Origin of first extension line <Select entity>:

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Specify the origin of the first extension line, then specify the origin of the second extension line.
    • Press Enter, then select the line or linear segment of a polyline you want to dimension.

    The dimension line is dynamically displayed.

  3. Specify a point to position the dimension line.

To create a rotated linear dimension

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Rotated tool button on the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel.
    • Choose Rotated in the Dimensions menu.

    You are prompted: Origin of first extension line <Select entity>:Do one of the following:

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Specify the origin of the first extension line, then specify the origin of the second extension line.
    • Press Enter, then select the line or linear segment of a polyline you want to dimension.

    You are prompted: Angle of dimension line <0>:

  3. Do one of the following:
    • Type the rotation angle in the Command line, then press Enter.
    • Enter the rotation angle by specifying two points.

    The dimension line is dynamically displayed.

  4. Specify a point to position the dimension line.

To create baseline dimensions

  1. Launch the DIMBASELINE command.

    You are prompted: Baseline: Origin of next extension line or [Select starting dimension/Undo] <Select starting dimension>:

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Go to step 2 to accept the baseline dimension which is dynamically displayed, starting from the most recently added linear or angular dimension.
    • Press Enter, then select the starting dimension entity.
  3. Specify a point to create the first baseline dimension.
  4. Keep specifying points or press Enter to stop.
Note:
  • When selecting the starting dimension make sure to click the first extension line or the first half of the dimension line in order to use the first origin point of the starting dimension as the origin point for the baseline dimension.
  • If you select an angular dimension, stacked angular dimensions are created.
  • The distance between the stacked dimension lines is controlled by the DIMDLI system variable (Dim baseline spacing property in the dimension style).

To create continued dimensions

  1. Launch the DIMCONTINUE command.

    You are prompted: Continue: Origin of next extension line or [Select starting dimension/Undo] <Select starting dimension>:

  2. Do one of the following:
    • Go to step 2 to accept the continued dimension which is dynamically displayed, starting from the most recently added linear or angular dimension.
    • Press Enter, then select the starting dimension entity.
  3. Specify a point to create the first continued dimension.
  4. Keep specifying points or press Enter to stop.
Note:
  • When selecting the starting dimension, make sure to click the second extension line or the second half of the dimension line in order to use the second origin point of the starting dimension as the origin point for the continued dimension. Otherwise, the new dimension line will partly overlap the starting dimension.
  • If you select an angular dimension, continued angular dimensions are created.

To create an arc length dimension

  1. Launch the DIMARC command:

    You are prompted: Select arc or polyline arc segment:

  2. Select the arc or polyline arc segment.

    The arc length dimension is dynamically displayed.

  3. Specify a point to position the dimension line.