Ordinate Dimensioning

Used to label distances along an axis from an origin (datum) along the ordinate axis (the line along which the distances are measured).

You can access this tool from the following:

Ribbon: Drawing > Annotate > Dimensioning
Toolbox: Dimensions

Ordinate Dimensioning settings window

Expanded Ordinate Dimensioning settings window

Setting	Description
Style	Sets the active dimension style. If you change a tool setting from the default, the setting is highlighted in blue, and an asterisk appears next to the Style name.
Browse icon	Opens the Dimension Styles dialog, which is used to control settings for dimensioning.
Reset Style	Restores the tool settings to the defaults set for this style in the Dimension Styles dialog.
Alignment	Determines the axis 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). Semi-Automatic — Dimension text is automatically placed according to the Justification setting if the text fits between the extension lines. If the text does not fit, you position the text in response to a prompt. Manual — You position dimension text in response to a prompt. `DIMENSION` `PLACEMENT` [ `AUTO` \| `MANUAL` \| `SEMIAUTO` ]
Datum Value	Sets a base value of the origin when labeling distances along an axis.
Ordinate Unstacked	Clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Ordinate Unstacked, which is used to label distances along an axis from an origin (datum) along the ordinate axis (the line along which distances are measured).
Ordinate Stacked	Clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Ordinate Stacked, which is used to label distances along an axis from an origin (datum) along the ordinate axis (the line along which distances are measured). The dimensions are stacked. To use this mode effectively, the Stacked Dimensions setting (Dimension Styles dialog, Advanced tab > Tool Specific > Ordinate) must be on.
Ordinate Free Location	Sets the tool's mode to Ordinate Free Location, which is used to label distances along an axis from an origin (datum) along the ordinate axis (the line along which distances are measured). When Location is set to Manual, this tool gives you maximum flexibility in placing the dimensions. To use this mode effectively, the Stacked Dimensions setting (Dimension Styles dialog, Advanced tab > Tool Specific > Ordinate) must be on.
Annotation Scale Lock icon	Sets the Annotation Scale Lock. When this lock is on, the annotation scale is applied to the ordinate 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.
Decrement in Reverse Direction	If on, the value opposite to the direction of the ordinate will be in a decreasing value (including negative numbers).
Text Frame	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	Sets the optional symbol for placement before dimension text. `DIMENSION` `PRE` [ `OFF` \| `DIAMETER` \| `RADIUS` \| `SQUARE` ]
Suffix Text	Sets the optional symbol for placement after dimension text. `DIMENSION` `POST` [ `OFF` \| `DIAMETER` \| `RADIUS` \| `SQUARE` ]
Association	If on, snapping to the element being dimensioned causes an association point to be created. If off, no associations are created.

Key-in: DIMENSION ORDINATE

Note: To prevent the text for a higher ordinate from overlapping the text for a lower ordinate, turn on Stack Fractions for the Dimension Ordinates tool in the Dimension Styles dialog (Advanced tab > Tool Specific > Ordinate) and set the mode to Ordinate Stacked or Ordinate Free Location. Dimension lines will jog if necessary.

The minimum vertical space between ordinate values is determined by the Sep. Margin setting in the Dimension Styles dialog (Geometry tab, Tolerance category).

The length of the leader line that extends from each jog is determined by the Minimum Leader setting in the Dimension Styles dialog (Geometry tab, Fit Options category).

Ordinate dimension with jogged dimension lines.

Note: Ordinate dimensions with jogged dimension lines cannot be displayed with previous versions of MicroStation.