Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
EDITING MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS
In this exercise, you were able to edit only a single dimension. To append text to several dimensions
at once, you need to use the Dimension Edit tool. See the sidebar “Making Changes to Multiple
Dimensions” later in this chapter for more on this tool.
If you need to restore the original dimension text for a dimension whose value has been
completely replaced, you can use the steps shown in the previous exercise. However, in step 3,
replace the text with the <> bracket symbols.
You can also have AutoCAD automatically add a dimension suffix or prefix to all dimensions
instead of just a chosen few by using the Suffix or Prefix option in the Primary Units tab of the
New Dimension Style or Modify Dimension Style dialog box. See Appendix D on the topic's
companion website for more on this feature.
AutoCAD provides the associative dimensioning capability to update dimension text auto-
matically when a drawing is edited. Objects called
definition points
determine how edited dimen-
sions are updated.
The definition points are located at the same points you pick when you determine the dimen-
sion location. For example, the definition points for linear dimensions are the extension line
origins. The definition points for a circle diameter are the points used to pick the circle and the
opposite side of the circle. The definition points for a radius are the points used to pick the circle
plus the center of the circle.
Definition points are point objects. They're difficult to see because they're usually covered
by the feature they define. You can, however, see them indirectly by using grips. The definition
points of a dimension are the same as the dimension's grip points. You can see them by clicking
a dimension. Try the following:
1.
Make sure the Grips feature is turned on. (See Chapter 2 to refresh your memory on the
Grips feature.)
2.
Click the longest of the three vertical dimensions you drew in the earlier exercise. You'll
see the grips of the dimension, as shown in Figure 11.18.
FIGURE 11.18
The grip points are
the same as the
definition points
on a dimension.
Click this grip.
