Element Dimensioning

Used to dimension an 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

Figure 1. Element Dimensioning settings window

Figure 2. Expanded Element Dimensioning settings window showing linear icons

Setting	Description
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.
Dimension Styles	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 on 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. Allows you to place dimension with a leader. `DIMENSION` `PLACEMENT` [ `AUTO` \| `MANUAL` \| `SEMIAUTO` ]
Dimension Element	If the selected element is a linear (non-circular) shape, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Element.
Label Line	If the selected element is a linear (non-circular) shape, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Label Line. This mode is used to place a dimension showing the length and/or angle of a line.
Dimension Size Perp ? Line	If the selected element is a linear (non-circular) shape, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points. This mode is used to dimension the linear distance between two points.
Label Line	If the mode is set to Label Line, sets what information (angle, length or both) and where (above/below) the information must be placed for a line label. Length/Angle ? The length is displayed above the line, and the angle is displayed below the line. Angle/Length ? The angle is displayed above the line, and the length is displayed below the line. Length Above ? The length is displayed above the line. Angle Above ? The angle is displayed above the line. Length Below ? The length is displayed below the line. Angle Below ? The angle is displayed below the line. Length Angle Above ? The angle and length are displayed above the line. Length Angle Below ? The angle and length are displayed below the line.
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` ]
Start Extension	If the mode is Dimension Element, Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points or Dimension Diameter Parallel, sets the optional terminator for the beginning of dimension lines. `DIMENSION` `TERMINATOR` `LEFT` [ `OFF` \| `ARROW` \| `DOT` \| `ORIGIN` \| `STROKE` ]
End Extension	If the mode is Dimension Element, Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points or Dimension Diameter Parallel, sets the optional terminator for the end of dimension lines. `DIMENSION` `TERMINATOR` `RIGHT` [ `OFF` \| `ARROW` \| `DOT` \| `ORIGIN` \| `STROKE` ]
Text Alignment	If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, sets the orientation of dimension text: Standard ? All dimension text is placed along the dimension line. Vertical ? All dimension text is placed vertical to the dimension line. Mixed ? All dimension text is placed vertically only if it does not fit along the dimension line. `DIMENSION` `VERTICAL` [ `OFF` \| `MIXED` \| `ON` ]
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 a tentative point. If off, no associations are created.

Note: You cannot edit text while placing dimensions with Element Dimensioning. To edit dimension text that was placed with the Element Dimensioning tool, use the Edit Text tool.