Dimensioning a Drawing - AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required - page 616

6. Click anywhere on the new dimension. The dimension becomes dashed
and five grips appear (see the bottom of Figure 12.22).
When you need to adjust a dimension, click and drag the necessary
grip. You'll learn more about using grips to modify dimensions in the
“Modifying Dimensions” section later in this chapter.
7. Press Esc to deselect the dimension.
Your first dimension is completed.
When dimensioning a drawing, you usually dimension to the outside or center
line of the objects and to each significant feature. The next dimension will run
from the left side of the first dimension to the right side of the window.
NOTE Studs are the vertical 2 ″× 4 ″ (51 mm × 102 mm) or 2 ″× 6 ″
(51 mm × 152 mm) members in the framing of a wall. When dimensioning
buildings that have stud walls, architects usually dimension to the face of
the stud rather than the outside surface of the wall material, but I won't go
into that level of detail in this topic.
using the dimension continue Command
AutoCAD has an automatic way of placing adjacent dimensions in line with one
another—the DIMCONTINUE (Dimension Continue) command. You use it as
follows:
1. Zoom out, and pan until you have a view of the upper wall and roof-
line, with space above them for dimensions (see Figure 12.23).
FiGuRE 12.23 The result of zooming and panning for a view of the top of
the floor plan
2. Start the DIMCONTINUE (Dimension Continue) command by selecting
the Continue button on the Annotate tab ➢ Dimensions panel. If it's
not visible, click the down arrow next to the Baseline button and
choose Continue from the fly-out menu.