Dimension > Distance, Object - Object (Annotate Menu)

This command can be used to measure a distance defined as the space between two objects.

Any partial object in an existing object can be identified as the first reference object. This can be an edge of a rectangle or a circle arc within a surface. Ellipses and ellipse parts can not be identified.

If a circle or circle part is identified, then the position at which it was identified (the ID point) affects the rest of the command. See the graphics below.

Any partial object in an existing object can be identified as the first reference object. This can be an edge of a rectangle or a circle arc within a surface. Ellipses and ellipse parts can not be identified.

If a circle or circle part is identified, then the position at which it was identified (the ID point) affects the rest of the command. The two ID points determine which of the two possible distances will be used (see graphics).

After determining the distance to be measured, the position of the dimension line and dimension text must be specified. To do this, several points have to be entered. How many, and which, points have to be entered, depends on the specified dimension parameters.

When choosing the Change Parameters (+ESC) command, the "Dimension With Line" dialog appears where this command's parameters can be specified.

If "Display Dimension Line" is enabled:

The position of the dimension line is determined by the position of a point through which it should run. If a particular distance has been entered, then the point determines the approximate position of the dimension line. This point can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing.

If the dimension line mode is set to "Full Length, Random", then this point also determines the start point of the dimension line and therefore the direction of any extension line.

If "Display Dimension Line" is enabled and the dimension line mode is set to "Partial Length, Right Angled":

The dimension line's end point can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. A perpendicular is dropped from this point to the dimension line to determine the end point of the dimension line.

If "Center Dimension Text" or "Close Dimension Text" is not set:

The position of the dimension text can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The positioning of the dimension text can be restricted with the "Center Dimension Text" and "Close Dimension Text".

If "Rotate Dimension Text" is set:

The dimension text direction can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The location of this position relative to the dimension text position determines the dimension text's rotation angle.

After entering all the parameters, the measurement is made. If the "Tolerances" check box was enabled in the dimension parameters, then the "Dimension Number and Tolerances" dialog appears, in which the tolerances and supplementary dimension text can be specified.

The dimension is not automatically assigned to the current layer. Instead, the command Layers > Defaults is used to decide whether they should be assigned to the current layer, or another specified layer. The same goes for pens, which can be assigned using the command Pens > Defaults.

You can use Advanced Text Capabilities (consisting of Formatting, Attributes, Variables, Statements, Mathematical Terms) in all texts, dimensions, variables, and attributes!

A dimension contains two property sets - one for the dimension line, and one for the dimension text. For example, this makes it possible to show the dimension text in a different color to the dimension line or assign the dimension text to a different layer from the dimension line. If the command Modify > Object Properties > Edit is used on a dimension, you can switch between the two property sets by clicking the corresponding tab. This allows you to view and alter both property sets separately.