Fence chain dimensioning is a semi-automatic dimensioning mode, where the program determines the relevant points for dimensioning in several different objects. Once this is done, you can position the dimensioning lines via pre-settings for ‘Fence Chain Dimensioning’ you can select the dimension chains and the reference points. With the settings for ‘Direction’ you have determined the general dimensioning direction.

This figure gives you an example for fence dimensioning:

First, select the objects to be dimensioned – here the three shapes.

Then, you can still click on the two reference points (A) and (B) which then will be added to the dimension chains and which will influence the overall dimension if they are situated outside of the shape dimensions. 

The program then prompts you to indicate the starting point of the auxiliary lines (C) and the insertion point of the first dimension chain (D).

Depending on the selection, the dimension chains for shape centers (a), shape edges (b), outer edges (c) and overall dimension (d) are then inserted and, depending on the combination of dimension chains, extended to the outer edge of the overall dimension resp. of the outer shapes.