User Dimension Points

Used to specify user defined dimension points to OpenBridge Modeler objects, for drawing generation.

Accessed from:

Ribbon: Steel > Drawing Production > Dimensioning > Misc Dimension > User Defined Points

Some steel constructions are very complex so that the system is not always able to determine the suitable dimensioning automatically. Often it is even not possible to find all suitable points because important reference dimensions such as, weld check dimensions, or similar values have to be defined individually and are not automatically known to the system.

For this purpose, you can define dimensioning points directly in the model for the derivation of group drawings or overviews; the system has to be forced to dimension them. In contrast to the subsequent manual dimensioning of 2D workshop drawings, the advantage of this function is that they can be updated at an automatic 2D-update.

Setting	Description
View	Specifies how the dimensioning points have to be depicted in the 3D-model. Only Points – Only the two dimensioning points and a short connecting piece will be depicted. With Line – Apart from the dimensioning points, the connecting line is displayed as well. This facilitates checking of the corresponding measured points. With Text – The directly measured dimension is additionally displayed as check text. Note: These default settings don’t have any influence on the depiction in the 2D-plans. The dimensioning objects there are subsequently replaced by a usual standard measure of OpenBridge Modeler.
Only Points	Sets the size to be used for depiction of the two measured points.
Level	Sets on which layer the object has to be inserted.
In Current XY Plane	The picked points are projected onto the current view plane. Thus, an object snap into the depth is avoided.
Execute in Loop	The command is carried out as a loop. You can insert several manual-dimensioning objects one after the other without having to call the function again each time.
Options	Check to apply one or more of the following dimensioning options: Horizontal – A measure is created in dimensioning direction of the group or of the overview that runs from the first to the second point. Vertical – A measure is created perpendicular to dimensioning direction of the group or of the overview that runs from the first to the second point. When there is more than one target point, the dimensioning direction is determined by the first added target point. Direct – A direct (e.g. diagonal) measure is created in the group or overview, running from the first to the second point. Baseline Dimensioning – When you have seized a reference point with several target points, each target point will get its own dimension (starting from the reference point). Otherwise, reference point and target points are created as continuous dimension chain. In Groups – The dimensioning object is evaluated in the group to which it has been assigned. In Views – The dimensioning object is evaluated in the overview drawing where it is included. ECS Axes – The coordinate system of the dimensioning object is displayed in the model so that you can check the position. Note: By highlighting both entries an identical dimensioning object can appear both in a group drawing and in an overview.
Single	Click on this button to add a single dimensioning object consisting of the start and target point. You first have to click on the group this dimensioning object is to be assigned to. Then, you click on the start and afterwards on the target point of dimensioning.
Multiple	Click on this button to add a single dimensioning object consisting of the start and target point. You first have to click on the group this dimensioning object is to be assigned to. Then, you click on the start and afterwards on the target point of dimensioning.
Cancel	Closes the dialog without saving changes.
Help	Opens online help.
Template	Saves and retrieve (Using Templates) settings to be used on other projects.
Favorites	Current Settings - Select when you haven't created any template and you want to use the current settings of the dialog instead. Bentley/Default - Select when you want to use the application default settings template and you don't want to use the current settings of the dialog instead.

Key-in: PROSTRUCTURE DIMENSION USER

Example

The following is an example of the variants in case of multiple dimensioning points: The dimensioning points which first seem to be similar in the 3D-model (above) create different results in the 2D-drawing (below). For both objects, only the ‘Horizontal’ dimensioning direction has been activated.

The dimensioning object on the left here has been created with the option 'Baseline Dimensioning’ so that all dimensioning points refer to the left reference point (1). On contrast, the right dimensioning object has been created without this option, and a continuous dimensioning chain (2) is created with the right reference point.

Selection of Views

In principle, dimensioning objects have to be assigned to a group or to an assembly, even if the dimensions only appear in an overview drawing. At use in nested group structures, they are always assigned to the lowest hierarchy and controlled by means of their parameters at detailing.

If you pick e. g. the subordinate part of a subgroup which is part of a standard component part group, the dimensions will only be displayed in the detailing of the component part group, when manual dimensioning points have been activated there for subgroups.

At the later detailing, the dimensions are only displayed in the view that corresponds to a view at insertion (or to the opposite direction). Therefore, you should insert a dimensioning object on a component part in the view in which later you want to see the length to be dimensioned.

Hint: When the dimension doesn’t appear in the desired view, it was probably inserted in a wrong UCS plane and perhaps the dimensioning points were only corrected later. You can check this by making display the coordinate system of the dimensioning object. Its X/Y-pane has to be parallel towards the view plane.

If you want to see the length in two views that are not opposite to each other, from view direction, you have to add the dimensioning object for a second time.

Modification of Dimension Points

You can modify an existing dimensioning object later via the Structural Properties by e.g. adding further dimension points using the PLUS button or by removing them using the MINUS button.

Other properties such as the desired dimensioning directions can also be modified.

All picked dimension points can be moved later by means of the handles, if you modify your construction.

Misc Dimension tools

Shape Default
Shape Pick
Endplate Default
Endplate Pick

Key-in: PROSTRUCTURE DIMENSION < End Plate | Shape > < Default | Pick >