Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Creating a Dimension Style
Dimension styles are similar to text styles. They determine the look of your dimensions as well
as the size of dimensioning features, such as the dimension text and arrows. You can set up
a dimension style to have special types of arrows, for instance, or to position the dimension
text above or in line with the dimension line. Dimension styles also make your work easier by
enabling you to store and duplicate your most common dimension settings.
AutoCAD gives you several default dimension styles, including
ISO-25
and
Standard
,
depending on whether you use the metric or Imperial (also called English) measurement sys-
tem. You'll probably add many other styles to suit the types of drawings you're creating. You
can also create variations of a general style for those situations that call for only minor changes
in the dimension's appearance.
In this section, you'll learn how to set up your own dimension style based on the Standard
dimension style (see Figure 11.2). For metric users, the settings are different, but the overall
methods are the same.
FIGURE 11.2
AutoCAD's Standard
dimension style
compared with an
architectural-style
dimension
A dimension using
the Standard default
settings
A dimension set
up for architectural
drawings
A sample of
other arrows
Follow these steps to create a dimension style:
1.
Open the 11a-unit.dwg file and rename it Unit.dwg. Metric users should open
11a-unit-metric.dwg and rename it Unit.dwg. These files are the same as the Unit file
you used in the previous chapter before the exercises.
2.
Choose View
Zoom
All from the menu bar or type
Z
↵
A
↵ to display the entire floor plan.
3.
Choose Format
Dimension Style from the menu bar. You can also type
D
↵ at the
Command prompt to open the Dimension Style Manager.
4.
Select Standard from the Styles list box. Metric users should select ISO-25. See Figure 11.3.
5.
Click New (the plus button) to open the Create New Dimension Style dialog box
(Figure 11.4).
