MicroStation Help

Radial Dimensioning

Used to dimension a circular element. Associations can be made to these elements, as well as to components of complex elements and elements that are part of a shared or unshared cell.

You can access these tools from the following:



  • Ribbon: Drawing > Annotate > Dimensioning
  • Toolbox: Dimensions


Expanded Radial Dimensioning tool settings window

SettingDescription
Style Displays the active dimension style, which is set on the Dimension Styles dialog. The list box lets you select other available dimension styles.

If you change a tool setting from the default, the setting is highlighted in blue, and an asterisk appears next to the Style name.

Alignment Determines the orientation along which the dimension is aligned.
Location Controls the location of dimension text:
  • Automatic — Dimension text is automatically placed according to the Justification setting (in the Dimension Styles dialog, Text tab).
Dimension Radius


This mode is used to dimension the radius of circular shapes.
Dimension Radius Extended
This mode is used to dimension the radius of circular shapes with the leader line indicating the radius and the dimension line extending outside the shape.
Dimension Diameter
This mode is used to dimension the diameter of circular shapes.
Dimension Diameter (Extended Leader)


This mode is used to dimension the diameter of circular shapes with the leader line indicating the diameter and the dimension line extending outside the shape.
Dimension Diameter Parallel


If the selected element is a circle, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Diameter Parallel. This mode is used to place a dimension parallel to the circle or arc, and with tangent extension lines extending to the circle or arc.
Annotation Scale Lock icon Sets the Annotation Scale Lock. When this lock is on, the annotation scale is applied to the element dimension that is placed.

By default, the annotation scale is taken from the model's Annotation Scale setting. You can change it only in the model's properties in the Properties dialog. The exception is when the model's Propagate Annotation Scale property is off. In that case, the annotation scale can be controlled independently for each element via its properties.

Center Mark If the mode is relevant to a circle or arc, turning this on places crosshairs at the center of the element.
DIMENSION TERMINATOR LEFT [ OFF | ARROW | DOT | ORIGIN | STROKE ]
Text Frame If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, controls the framing of dimension text:
  • Box — Places dimension in a box. Sometimes used to designate a reference dimension.
  • Capsule — Places dimension in a capsule. Typically used to designate a dimension for quality control.
DIMENSION TEXT BOX [ OFF | ON | TOGGLE ]
DIMENSION TEXT CAPSULE [ OFF | ON | TOGGLE ]
Prefix Text If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, sets the optional symbol for placement before dimension text.
DIMENSION PRE [ OFF | DIAMETER | RADIUS | SQUARE ]
Suffix Text If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, sets the optional symbol for placement after dimension text.
DIMENSION POST [ OFF | DIAMETER | RADIUS | SQUARE ]
Association
  • If on, all possible associations are created automatically without the need to snap to a tentative point.
  • If off, no associations are created.
Note: You cannot edit text while placing dimensions. To edit dimension text that was placed, use the Edit Text tool.