Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Annotational constraints:
This form is controlled as an object property, so you
have to set it in the Properties palette. Annotational constraints do plot, don't res-
ize as you zoom in and out, and don't disappear as you toggle the Show All button
on and off. Annotational constraints conform to dimension style settings.
The dimension name format of annotational constraints can be set to Name,
Value, or Name and Expression, just like dynamic constraints (refer to Figure 19-4
for another look at the Constraint Settings dialog box). If you're going to plot your
drawing with annotational constraints, remember to reset the format so it doesn't
show the dimension name or the expression.
Here's how to turn dynamic dimensional constraints into annotational constraints.
1. Open a drawing that contains some geometry with dimensional constraints.
You can also start a new drawing, draw some simple geometry, and add a dimen-
sional constraint to two.
2. Select a dynamic constraint, right-click, and choose Properties.
The Properties palette opens with the object properties of the selected dimensional
constraint listed in table form.
3. Click in the Constraint Form field and in the drop-down list, change Dynamic to
Annotational (see Figure 19-9).
The dynamic constraint becomes annotational, and takes on the appearance of the
current dimension style. If you change the dimension style in the Properties palette,
the annotational constraint updates to the new dimension style format.
You can go the other way too, from regular dimension objects to dimensional con-
straints.
4. Add a linear, radius, diameter, aligned, or angular dimension (that is, a regular
dimension, not a dimensional parameter) to your drawing geometry.
Nearly every type of dimension object has a parametric analog; the exceptions are
arc length, jogged radius, jogged linear, and ordinate dimensions.
5. Click Convert in the Dimensional panel, select one of the dimension
types in Step 4, and press Enter.
The Dimensional Constraint text box displays as soon as you click an associative di-
mension, and the dimension becomes a dynamic constraint as soon as you press
Enter.
