Dimensioning a Drawing - AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required - page 618

7. Finally, add a linear dimension from the end of the front deck to the
beginning of the cabin and another overall dimension from one end
of the cabin to another, as shown in Figure 12.26.

Move these dimensions Add this dimension

FiGuRE 12.26 Adjusted dimensions with an overall cabin dimension added

With the DIMCONTINUE (Dimension Continue) command, you can dimension
along a wall of a building quickly just by picking points. AutoCAD assumes that the
last extension line specified for the previous dimension will coincide with the first
extension line of the next dimension. If the extension line from which you need to
continue isn't the last one specified, press ↵ at the prompt, pick the extension line
from which you want to continue and resume the command.
Another automation strategy that you can use with linear dimensions is the
Baseline Dimension tool.

using the dimension Baseline Command

The DIMBASELINE (Dimension Baseline) command gets its name from a style of
dimensioning called baseline , in which all dimensions begin at the same point
(see Figure 12.27). Each dimension is stacked above the previous one. Because
of the automatic stacking, you can use the Dimension Baseline tool for overall
dimensions. AutoCAD will stack the overall dimension a set height above the
incremental dimensions.
The steps for creating baseline dimensions are listed here:

1. Create a linear dimension.

2. Click the down arrow next to the Continue button in the Annotate
tab ➢ Dimensions panel, and then click the Baseline option.
The prompt says Specify a second extension line origin
or [Undo/Select] <Select>: , just like the first prompt for the
DIMCONTINUE (Dimension Continue) command.

3. Pick the next feature to be dimensioned.