MicroStation V8i – Dimensions 14.0 Dimensioning Once drawing objects have been established at the proper size, scale, and orientation, annotation generally begins. Adding dimensions, symbols, and notes to a drawing (sometimes referred to as detailing) conveys intent when it is time for the drawing to become something real. A dimension is a label in a design showing a linear, angular, or radial measurement. 14.1 Dimension Setup and Preparation Dimensioning through the MoDOT environment is set up using annotation scale to drive what the size of the dimension will be and utilizes predefined dimension styles to set up the dimension settings for the user. Dimension styles are saved settings for dimension attributes that can be used in the active file or multiple files in the future. The annotation scale should be set to the size of the attached border for the parts of the dimension (arrowheads, extension lines, text, etc.) to be sized correctly. Once the annotation scale is set, the dimension can be selected through the Tasks. This will be under Tasks > MoDOT Design CADD Standards > General Annotation (Text, Notes, Dimensions…..) 1400 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions By default, the selected dimension through the Tasks listing will load up the appropriate dimension style, change the attributes to the correct level, color, style and weight; and it will be load up the Element Dimensioning tool. Since the dimension style is set and the attributes (level, color, style, weight) are set correctly for dimensions, you can change the type of dimension through the dimension if needed to perform a different type of dimension. 1401 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions 14.2 Dimensioning tool box To Select in the Dimensioning tool box Dimension an element. Creates all associations automatically, if Association is on. Element Dimension Dimension linear size (distance), with each dimension computed from the endpoint of the previous one and placed in line Linear Dimension Dimension an angle. Angular Dimension Change a dimension to the active dimensioning attributes. Change Dimension Set the active dimension settings to the dimension attributes of a dimension element. Match Dimension Attributes Recreate a linear or radial dimension's association to an element. Reassociate Dimensions Import, export, and label coordinate points. XYZ Text 1402 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions 14.3 Element Dimension Used to dimension an element (line, line string, multi-line, shape, circular arc, or circle). Element Dimensioning settings dialog Expanded Element Dimensioning settings Expanded Element Dimensioning settings dialog with linear icons dialog with radial icons Tool Settings Effect Displays the active dimension style, which is set on the Dimension Styles dialog. The list box lets you select other available dimension styles. Style If you change a tool setting from the default, the setting is highlighted in blue, and an asterisk appears next to the Style name. Magnifying glass icon 1403 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions Opens the Dimension Styles dialog, which is used to control settings for dimensioning. Reset Style Restores the tool settings to the defaults set for this style on the Dimension Styles dialog. Alignment Determines the axis along which the dimension is aligned. Controls the location of dimension text: • Automatic — Dimension text is automatically placed according to the Justification setting (in the Dimension Styles dialog, Text tab). Location • Semi-Automatic — Dimension text is automatically placed according to the Justification setting if the text fits between the extension lines. If the text does not fit, you position the text in response to a prompt. • Manual — You position dimension text in response to a prompt. Dimension Element If the selected element is a linear (non-circular) shape, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Element. Label Line If the selected element is a linear (non-circular) shape, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Label Line. This mode is used to place a dimension showing the length and/or angle of a line. Dimension Size Perp — Line If the selected element is a linear (non-circular) shape, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points. This mode is used to dimension the linear distance between two points. Dimension Radius If the selected element is a circle, or ellipse, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Radius. 1404 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions Dimension Diameter (Extended Leader) If the selected element is a circle, or ellipse, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Diameter (Extended Leader). Dimension Diameter Parallel If the selected element is a circle, or ellipse, clicking this icon sets the tool's mode to Dimension Diameter Parallel. This mode is used to place a dimension parallel to the circle or arc, and with tangent extension lines extending to the circle or arc. If the mode is Label Line, sets what information (angle, length or both) and where (above/below) the information must be placed for a line label. • Length/Angle — The length is displayed above the line, and the angle is displayed below the line. • Angle/Length — The angle is displayed above the line, and the length is displayed below the line. • Length Above — The length is displayed above the line. Label Line • Angle Above — The angle is displayed above the line. • Length Below — The length is displayed below the line. • Angle Below — The angle is displayed below the line. • Length Angle Above — The angle and length are displayed above the line. • Length Angle Below — The angle and length are displayed below the line. Sets the Annotation Scale lock. When this lock is on, the annotation scale is applied to the element dimension that is placed. Annotation Scale Lock icon The annotation scale is set in the Model Properties dialog. It defines the scale for text and dimensioning in the model. If the mode is relevant to a circle or arc, turning this on places crosshairs at the Center Mark center of the element. If the mode is Dimension Element, Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points or Dimension Diameter Parallel, sets the optional terminator for the beginning of Start Extension dimension lines. If the mode is Dimension Element, Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points or Dimension Diameter Parallel, sets the optional terminator for the end of dimension End Extension lines. 1405 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, sets the orientation of dimension text: • Standard — All dimension text is placed along the dimension line. Text Alignment • Vertical — All dimension text is placed vertical to the dimension line. • Mixed — All dimension text is placed vertically only if it does not fit along the dimension line. If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, controls the framing of dimension text: • Box — Places dimension in a box. Sometimes used to designate a reference Text Frame dimension. • Capsule — Places dimension in a capsule. Typically used to designate a dimension for quality control. If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, sets Prefix Text the optional symbol for placement before dimension text. If the mode is Dimension Element or Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points, sets Suffix Text the optional symbol for placement after dimension text. • If on, all possible associations are created automatically without the need to snap a tentative point. Association • If off, no associations are created. To Dimension an Element 1. Select the Element Dimensioning tool. 2. Select the element. 3. Set the mode to Dimension Element. 4. Enter a data point to define the extension line length and position the dimension. To Label the Length and Direction of a Line 1. Select the Element Dimensioning tool. 2. Select the line. If Location is set to Automatic or if it is an association point, this point will position the label origin. 1406 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions 3. Set the mode to Label Line. 4. If Location is set to Manual and the first data point was not an association point, enter a data point to position the label origin. (See illustration below) To Dimension a Distance Perpendicularly from an Element (at a Separately-Identified Point) 1. Select the Element Dimensioning tool. 2. Enter a data point to select the element from which a distance will be dimensioned. The orientation of the y-axis of the dimension is perpendicular to the line on which the element lies. 3. Set the mode to Dimension Size Perpendicular to Points. 4. Enter a second data point to define the origin (the base of the first extension line). This point can lie beyond the end of the element identified in step 2. 5. Enter a data point to define the base of the second extension line. The dimension is placed with extension lines at each end. To Dimension the Radius of a Circle or Arc 1. Select the Element Dimensioning tool. 2. Select the circle or arc. 3. Set the mode to Dimension Radius. 4. Enter a data point to position the dimension. 1407 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions To Dimension the Diameter of a Circle or Arc with an Extended Leader 1. Select the Element Dimensioning tool. 2. Select the circle or arc. 3. Set the mode to Dimension Diameter (Extended Leader). 4. Enter a data point to position the dimension. To Dimension Diameter with the Dimension Placed Parallel 1. Select the Element Dimensioning tool. 2. Select the circle or arc. 3. Set the mode to Dimension Diameter Parallel. 4. Enter a data point to define the location and orientation of the dimension. 1408 MicroStation V8i – Dimensions 14.4 Linear Dimensioning Used to dimension the linear distance between two points (length). Linear Dimensioning settings dialog Expanded Linear Dimensioning settings dialog Tool Settings Tool Settings Effect Displays the active dimension style, which is set on the Dimension Styles dialog.