Dimension Settings

The Dimension Settings screen sets a variety of dimension defaults that are applied to member details when you Detail Members and/or submaterial details when you Detail Submaterial. Some settings are immediately applied to drawings after clicking OK.

General

Dimension terminals: Arrow or Slash. The selection made here applies to all drawings that currently exist in your current Job as well as to yet-to-be-created drawings.

Arrow
Slash

Note: If you change this setting, you do not have to re-detail. Your change is applied to currently generated drawings.

Submaterial sloping hole layout dimensions to: On workline or Farthest hole or Nearest hole or None. This sets the dimensioning reference point for the sloping hole group of a submaterial.

Farthest hole
On workline
Nearest hole

On workline refers to the member line of the framing member, not the member in the detail.

Farthest hole is the hole in the submaterial that is farthest from the workline of the member depicted in the detail.

Nearest hole is the hole that is closest to the member's workline.

None turns off dimensioning of this type.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Submaterial sloping hole layout dimensions to

Main material sloping hole layout dimensions to: On workline or Farthest hole or Nearest hole or None.

Farthest hole
On workline
 
Nearest hole
 

On workline refers to the work line of the framing member, not the member in the detail.

Farthest hole is the hole in the main material that is farthest from the work line of the member.

Nearest hole is the hole that is closest to the member's workline.

None turns off dimensioning of this type.

Tip: You can still select various Main material sloping hole extension dimensions if you like.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Main material sloping hole layout dimensions to

Main material sloping hole extension dimensions: Top, left hole and/or Bottom, left hole and/or Bottom, right hole and/or Top, right hole.

Top, left

Bottom, left

Bottom, right

Top, right

Note 1: These buttons control the dimension from the workline of the member to the hole as well as the position of the extension dimensions. When selected, the buttons turn blue. Any combination of the buttons may be selected.

Note 2: These options may be used when Main material sloping hole layout dimensions to is set to None or Farthest hole or etc.

Note 3: If one or more of these buttons are selected, Detail Members draws extension dimensions even if Show extension dimensions is not checked.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Main material sloping hole extension dimensions

Show point to point distance on main dimension: or .

Point to point distance is the distance between the two work points of the member. It is equal to the overall dimension plus the minus dimension.

If this box is checked ( ), the point to point distance will be shown in parenthesis on the main dimension line on subsequently detailed members.

If the box is not checked ( ), the point to point distance will not be shown.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show point to point distance on main dimension

Show material grade on main dimension: or .

If this box is checked ( ), the steel grade of the member's main material will be shown on the main dimension of its detail.

If the box is not checked ( ), the steel grade will not be shown.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show material grade on main dimension

Show "on radius" dimension for arc dimensions: or . This applies when you Detail Members and when you Dimension Add Arc in the Drawing Editor.

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), both the radius of the arc and the distance on the circle between the two points being measured with the arc dimension will be displayed on subsequently generated arc dimensions. You can override this setting on individual arc dimensions by unchecking the box for Radius on the Edit Arc Dimension window.

If the box is not checked ( ), only the distance on the circle between the two points being measured will be displayed on subsequently added arc dimensions. You can override this setting on individual arc dimensions by checking the box for Radius in the Edit Arc Dimension window.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show "on radius" dimension for arc dimensions

Show angle dimension for arc dimensions: No or As degrees or As radians or As degrees, minutes and seconds. This applies to all arc dimensions on subsequently auto detailed members and submaterials. It also applies when you Dimension Add Arc in the Drawing Editor.

No as Degrees
  as Radians
  as Degr, Min, Sec

No sets angle dimensions to not be displayed by default. In the Drawing Editor, you can override this setting on individual arc dimensions by checking the box for Angle in the Edit Arc Dimension window.

As degrees sets angle dimensions to be measured in degrees.

As radians sets angle dimensions to be measured in degrees.

As degrees, minutes, and seconds sets angle dimensions to be measured in degrees.

Note 1: If you change the angle unit setting from, for example, as Degrees to as Radians, currently generated drawings that display the arc dimension in degrees will not be changed until you do something that triggers the old measurement to be recalculated. For example, you could edit the dimension, turn off the display of angle dimensions, then turn their display back on.

Note 2: For arc dimensions on subsequently auto detailed members and submaterials, the settings As degrees and As radians and As degrees, minutes and seconds automatically check the box for Angle on the Edit Arc Dimension window. No unchecks the box for Angle on subsequently generated details and, if you later change that setting to Angle on any of those details, the measurement applied will be degrees.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show angle dimension for arc dimensions

Break dimension lines at label interference: or .

Break ...
Break ...

If this box is checked ( ), dimension lines become discontinuous (invisible) where they would overlap interfering labels or dimension labels. The dimension line remains a single entity, not divided into segments. If the interfering label or dimension label is Moved or Erased so that the original interference no longer exists, only a Redraw is needed to have the dimension line displayed as a continuous, unbroken line.

To override this choice on individual drawings: The settings Breakable dimension leg(s) (Edit Dimension window) and Breaks lines (Label Edit window) and Breaks lines (Edit Dimension window) can be reset on details to override the breaking of lines.

If the box is not checked ( ), dimension lines are drawn through overlapping labels or dimension labels.

Tip: If you allow overlapping, you'll probably want to print labels and dimension labels with a wide pen. Home > Project Settings > Fabricator > Detailing > Line Weights lets you set up the line thickness per drawing pen.

Note: If you change this setting, you do not have to re-detail. Your change is applied to currently generated drawings.

Break material lines at label interference: or . The selection made here applies (when you press OK) to all drawings that currently exist in your current Job as well as to yet-to-be-created drawings.

Break ...
Break ...

If this box is checked ( ), polygon sides (material lines) and lines become discontinuous (invisible) where they overlap interfering labels or dimension labels. The material line remains a single entity; it is not divided into segments. If the interfering label or dimension label is Moved or Erased so that the original interference no longer exists, the material line returns to being displayed as a continuous, unbroken line. This applies to all labels and dimension labels placed over material lines, regardless of whether they are user-added or system piecemarks.

To override this choice on individual drawings: Breakable (Polygon Sides Edit window) and Breakable (Line Edit window) and Breaks lines (Label Edit window) and Breaks lines (Edit Dimension window) can be reset in the Drawing Editor to override the choice made here.

If the box is not checked ( ), polygon sides (material lines) and lines are drawn through overlapping labels or dimension labels.

Tip: If you allow overlapping, you'll probably want to print labels and dimension labels with a wide pen. Home > Project Settings > Fabricator > Detailing > Line Weights lets you set up the line thickness per drawing pen.

Note: If you change this setting, you do not have to re-detail. Your change is applied to currently generated drawings.

Break bevel lines at label interference: or . The selection made here applies (when you press OK) to all drawings that currently exist in your current Job as well as to yet-to-be-created drawings.

Break ...
Break ...

If this box is checked ( ), the bevel lines of bevel symbols become discontinuous (invisible) where they overlap interfering labels or dimension labels. Each line remains a single entity; it is not divided into segments. This applies to all labels and dimension labels placed over bevel lines, regardless of whether they are user-added or system piecemarks.

To override this choice on individual drawings: Breakable (Bevel Symbol window) and Breaks lines (Label Edit window) and Breaks lines (Edit Dimension window) can be reset on details to override the choice made here.

If the box is not checked ( ), the bevel lines of bevel symbols are drawn through overlapping labels or dimension labels

Tip: If you allow overlapping, you'll probably want to print labels and dimension labels with a wide pen. Home > Project Settings > Fabricator > Detailing > Line Weights lets you set up the line thickness per drawing pen.

Note: If you change this setting, you do not have to re-detail. Your change is applied to currently generated drawings.

Combine dimensions across detail: or .

Combine ...
Combine ...

If this box is checked ( ), dimensions between rows of holes in distinct hole groups are combined where possible. Member or submaterial details may take up less space as a result.

If the box is not checked ( ), the dimensions between rows of holes in distinct hole groups are dimensioned separately.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Combine dimensions across detail

Extension dimensions on submaterial details: or . It applies regardless of whether or not you choose to Detail using templates.

Extension dimensions ...
Extension dimensions ...

If the box is checked ( ), Detail Submaterial draws an extension dimension origin symbol ( ) on the main view and, where appropriate, extension dimensions are drawn on the detail.

Exception: When the submaterial detail of an angle does not show web near side as the main view, or if the detail shows material other than L, W, T, C, HSS round or HSS rectangular, Detail Submaterial does not draw an origin symbol.

If the box is not checked ( ), neither extension dimensions nor the origin symbol will appear on subsequently detailed submaterials.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Extension dimensions on submaterial details

Extension dimension tails on submaterial details: or . This applies when you Detail Submaterial and the box is checked for Extension dimensions on submaterial details. It applies regardless of whether or not you choose to Detail using templates.

If this box is checked ( ), the Detail Submaterial draws extension dimensions with tails where they fit. In general, the extension dimensions with tails are placed at the beginning of new hole groups.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Submaterial draws extension dimensions parallel with dimension legs. If they fit, the extension dimensions are placed at each dimension leg to a hole.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Extension dimension tails on submaterial details

Material point dimension holdback distance: Any distance from 0 to 2 inches (0 to 51 mm metric) that you want dimension legs set back from the material. The selection made here applies to all drawings that currently exist in your current Job as well as to yet-to-be-created drawings.

Holdback = 0
Holdback = 3/4

Note: If you change this setting, you do not have to re-detail. Your change is applied to currently generated drawings.

Drawing editor system-generated detail and submaterial detail restrictions

Lock outline layer: or . This applies to all automatically detailed member details and submaterial details in your current Job. Automatic detailing is not required to have this option applied.


The outline layer contains member
main material, shop bolts, holes and
connection materials

If the outline layer is locked, users are unable to alter it. This ensures that materials on the detail exactly represent their appearance in the 3D model.

If this box is checked ( ), you cannot make changes to materials, holes, bolts, or etc. that are on member details or submaterial details. This helps to ensure that details exactly match the model. On the Drawing Data window, there is an option that lets you temporarily Override Drawing Editor restriction options.

If the box is not checked ( ), users can, for example, move holes or bolts on member or submaterial details, thus allowing them to make adjustments on shop drawings without first changing the model.

Warning: CNC downloads get their information from the 3D model, not from details. Do not make changes to details with the expectation that your changes will be reflected in CNC downloads.

Lock manual editing of dimension text: This applies to all dimensions on all automatically detailed member details and submaterial details in your current Job. Automatic detailing is not required to have this option applied. This does not apply to user-created member details, which can be created using the New... button or Save As or Save Reuse.

When the Label text is locked, other settings on the Edit Dimension window remain editable.

If this box is checked ( ), you cannot manually edit Label text on the Edit Dimension window for any dimension -- even a user-added dimension -- if that dimension is on an automatically detailed member detail or submaterial detail. On the Drawing Data window, there is an option that lets you temporarily Override Drawing Editor restriction options. Also, you can still drag a dimension leg to change the calculated dimension Label text.This helps to ensure that the dimension label text is always accurately calculated to reflect the distance between the points being measured.

If the box is not checked ( ), users can freely edit Label text on automatically detailed member details and submaterial details, just like they can on other types of drawings.


Measurement unit for angle dimensions: As degrees or As radians. An angle dimension includes Label text that is based on the arc between the two lines that the angle dimension is drawn between. Display measurement unit for angle dimensions sets whether the value for the Label text is calculated and expressed in degrees or radians.

as Degrees
as Radians

as Degrees causes the Label text for newly added angle dimensions to be a number of degrees. The text will include the degree symbol (°).

as Radians causes the Label text for newly added angle dimensions to be a number of degrees. The text will include the word "radians".

Setup override: The Measurement units option on the Edit Angle Dimensions window is always set to the choice made here (Degrees or Radians) when an angle dimension is first added. After the angle dimension is added, the Measurement units can be changed.

Angle dimension precision:0 or 1 or 2 or 3 or 4. The number of places after the decimal point to which a calculated angle dimension will be rounded.

Angle dimension precision = 1
 Angle dimension precision = 4


Same Angle, Different Precisions
Precision Degrees Radians
0 36 1
1 36.0 0.6
2 36.01 0.63
3 36.014 0.629
4 36.0140 0.6286

0 results in the angle dimension being expressed as a whole number. You might want to enter 0 as the precision if your Display measurement unit for angle dimensions is as Degrees.

1 results it the angle dimension being expressed with 1 place after the decimal point (e.g., 36.0 degrees or 0.6 radians).

2 results it the angle dimension being expressed with 1 place after the decimal point (e.g., 36.01 degrees or 0.63 radians). This is the default since it allows sufficient precision for switching between degrees and radians.

Tip: Since 2π radians = 360°, you will probably want more places after the decimal point when the Display measurement unit for angle dimensions is as Radians as opposed to when it is set to as Degrees.

Beam

Show extension dimensions: or . Extension dimensions are also known as running dimensions.

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), then Detail Members draws extension dimensions on details of beams that are subsequently generated.

If the box is not checked ( ), extension dimensions will not be shown on details of beams that are generated when you subsequently Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions

Show extension dimension tails: or .

If this box is checked ( ) and the box to Show extension dimensions on beam details is also checked, then the extension dimensions that auto detailing subsequently generates for beams will have tails.

If the box is not checked ( ) when you subsequently Detail Members, extension dimension will not be shown with tails on beam details.

Exception: In the case where omitting the tail would prevent the extension dimension from being drawn, the extension dimension will be drawn with a tail.

Effect on user-added dimensions: The default for Show tails, which applies to user-added dimensions, corresponds to the choice made here (checked or not checked) IF the drawing is a beam.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension tails

Show extension dimension origin: or .

If this box is checked ( ), then subsequently detailed beams are draw with a small target ( ) to designate the point of origin from which extension dimensions are measured.

If the box is not checked ( ), the origin symbol will not be shown on details of beams that are generated when you subsequently Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension origin

Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes: or .

Dimension ...
Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of holes in symmetrical web hole groups on beams.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of web holes on beams.

Tip: To find a hole group's dimensioning reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use Set Hole Reference Point.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes

Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes: or .

Dimension ...
Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on beams.

If the box is not checked ( ) Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on beams.

Tip: To find a hole group's dimensioning reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use Set Hole Reference Point.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes

Show chain dimensions between hole groups: or .

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), then -- for beams -- Detail Members generates dimensions from the end of the first hole group to the beginning of the next hole group, and so on.

If the box is not checked ( ), then -- for beams -- Detail Members does not generate chain dimensions between hole groups.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show chain dimensions between hole groups

Show extension dimension from: Left or Right.

If Left is selected and Extension dimensions are designated to be drawn on beam details, then extension dimensions will be from the left end of the beam.

If Right is selected, dimensioning will be from the right end of the beam.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension from

Extension dimensions from (bolted connection): End of beam or Face of conn. Extension dimensions for beams with bolted connections will be calculated from the position specified here.

End of beam
Face of connection
For both examples, the box is checked for Show extension dimension origin.The origin symbol is placed from the End of beam or the Face of connection.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Extension dimensions from (bolted connection)

Extension dimensions from (welded connection): End of beam or Face of conn. Extension dimensions for beams with welded connections will be calculated from the position specified here.

End of beam
Face of connection
For both examples, the box is checked for Show extension dimension origin.The origin symbol is placed (during auto detailing) from the End of beam or the Face of connection.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Extension dimensions from (welded connection)

Copes dimensioned from: End of beam or Face of conn.

End of beam sets copes to be dimensioned from the end of the beam.

Face of conn sets copes to be dimensioned from the face of the connection (clip angle, end plate, etc.).

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Copes dimensioned from

Show end of beam to face of clip angle dimension: or .

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), then -- for beams -- Detail Members dimensions the face of the clip angle to the end of the beam.

If the box is not checked ( ), this dimension is not calculated for beams that subsequently undergo Detail Members.

Column

Show extension dimensions: or . Extension dimensions are also known as running dimensions.

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members generates extension dimensions for columns.

If the box is not checked ( ) Detail Members does not generate extension dimensions for columns.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions

Show extension dimension tails: or .

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ) and the box to Show extension dimensions on column details is also checked, then the extension dimensions that auto detailing subsequently generates for columns will have tails.

If the box is not checked ( ), extension dimension will not be shown with tails on details of columns that are generated when you subsequently Detail Members.

Exception: In the case where omitting the tail would prevent the extension dimension from being drawn, the extension dimension will be drawn with a tail.

Effect on user-added dimensions: The default for Show tails,which applies to user-added dimensions, corresponds to the choice made here (checked or not checked) IF the drawing is a column.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension tails

Show extension dimension origin: or .

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members draws a small target ( ) to designate the point of origin from which extension dimensions for columns are measured.

If the box is not checked ( ), the origin symbol will not be shown on details of columns that are generated when you subsequently Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension origin

Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes: or .

Dimension ...
Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of holes in symmetrical web hole groups on columns.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of web holes on columns.

Tip: To find a hole group's reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use the Set Hole Reference Point command.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes

Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes: or .

Dimension ...
Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on columns.

If the box is not checked ( ) Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on columns.

Tip: To find a hole group's reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use the Set Hole Reference Point command.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes

Show chain dimensions between hole groups: or .

If the box is checked ( ), then dimensions will be added from the end of the first hole group to the beginning of the next hole group, and so on.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show chain dimensions between hole groups

Show extension dimensions from: Top or Bottom.

Top
Bottom

If Top is selected, the point of origin for extension dimensions newly generated during auto detailing will be from the top of the column.

If Bottom is selected, the point of origin will be from the bottom of the column.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions from

Extension dimensions from: Top of plate or Bottom of plate.

Top of plate
Bottom of plate

Top of plate instructs auto detailing to calculate the extension dimension from the top of the cap plate if extension dimensions are designated to be taken from the top of the column. If extension dimensions are taken from the bottom of the column, they will be measured from the top of the base plate.

Bottom of plate instructs auto detailing to calculate the extension dimension from the bottom of the base plate when extension dimensions are designated to be taken from the bottom of the column and If extension dimensions are taken from the top of the column, they will be measured from the bottom of the cap plate.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Extension dimensions from

Overall dimensions from (cap plate): Top of plate or Bottom of plate.

Top of plate
Bottom of plate

Top of plate sets the overall dimension of the column to be calculated from the top of the cap plate for automatically detailed member details of columns.

Bottom of plate sets the overall dimension of the column to be calculated from the bottom of the cap plate.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Overall dimensions from (cap plate)

Overall dimensions from (base plate): Top of plate or Bottom of plate.

Top of plate
Bottom of plate

Top of plate sets the overall dimension to be calculated from the top of the base plate.

Bottom of plate sets the overall dimension of the column to be calculated from the bottom of the base plate for automatically detailed member details of columns.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Overall dimensions from (base plate)

Brace

Horizontal braces

Show extension dimensions: Extension dimensions are also known as running dimensions.

Show ...

Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members generates extension dimensions on horizontal brace details.

If the box is not checked ( ), extension dimensions will not be shown on details of horizontal brace details that are generated the next time you Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions

Show extension dimension tails: or .

If this box is checked ( ) and the box is checked for Show extension dimensions is also checked for horizontal braces, then Detail Members adds tails to the extension dimensions on vertical brace details that it generates.

If the box is not checked ( ), extension dimension will not be shown with tails on details of horizontal braces that are generated the next time you Detail Members.

Exception: In the case where omitting the tail would prevent the extension dimension from being drawn, the extension dimension will be drawn with a tail.

Effect on user-added dimensions: The default for Show tails,which applies to user-added dimensions, matches the choice made here (checked or not checked) if the drawing is a horizontal brace.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension tails

Show extension dimension origin: or .

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members draws a small target ( ) to show the point of origin for extension dimensions on horizontal braces.

If the box is not checked ( ), the origin symbol are not shown on details of horizontal braces that are generated the next time you Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension origin

Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes: or .

Dimension ...

Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of holes in symmetrical web hole groups on horizontal braces.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of web holes on horizontal braces.

Tip: To find a hole group's reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use Set Hole Reference Point.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes

Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes: or .

Dimension ...

Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on horizontal braces.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on horizontal braces.

Tip: To find a hole group's reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use Set Hole Reference Point.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes

Show chain dimensions between hole groups: or .

Show ...

Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), then -- for horizontal braces -- Detail Members dimensions from the end of the first hole group to the beginning of the next hole group, and so on.

If the box is not checked ( ) then -- for horizontal braces -- Detail Members does not generate chain dimensions between hole groups.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show chain dimensions between hole groups

Show extension dimensions from: Left or Right.

If Left is selected, then the point of origin for an extension dimension on a horizontal brace detail newly generated during automatic detailing will be from the left end of the brace.

If Right is selected, then the point of origin for an extension dimension on a horizontal brace detail newly generated during automatic detailing will be from the right end of the brace.

Extension dimensions from left:
Extension dimensions from right:

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions from

Vertical braces

Show extension dimensions: or . Extension dimensions are also known as running dimensions.

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members generates extension dimensions on vertical brace details.

If the box is not checked ( ), extension dimensions will not be shown on details of vertical brace details that are generated the next time you Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions

Show extension dimension tails: or .

If this box is checked ( ) and the box is checked for Show extension dimensions is also checked for vertical braces, then Detail Members adds tails to the extension dimensions on vertical brace details that it generates.

If the box is not checked ( ), extension dimension will not be shown with tails on details of vertical braces that are generated the next time you Detail Members.

Exception: In the case where omitting the tail would prevent the extension dimension from being drawn, the extension dimension will be drawn with a tail.

Effect on user-added dimensions: The default for Show tails,which applies to user-added dimensions, matches the choice made here (checked or not checked) if the drawing is a vertical brace.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension tails

Show extension dimension origin: or .

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members draws a small target ( ) to show the point of origin for extension dimensions on vertical braces.

If the box is not checked ( ), the origin symbol are not shown on details of vertical braces that are generated the next time you Detail Members.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension origin

Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes: or .

Dimension ...
Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of holes in symmetrical web hole groups on vertical braces.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the columns of web holes on vertical braces.

Tip: To find a hole group's reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use Set Hole Reference Point.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical web holes

Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes: or .

Dimension ...
Dimension ...

If this box is checked ( ), Detail Members dimensions the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on vertical braces.

If the box is not checked ( ), Detail Members does not dimension the distance between the hole group reference point and the symmetrical flange holes on vertical braces.

Tip: To find a hole group's reference point in Modeling or change its placement, use Set Hole Reference Point.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Dimension reference point on symmetrical flange holes

Show chain dimensions between hole groups: or .

Show ...
Show ...

If this box is checked ( ), then -- for vertical braces -- Detail Members dimensions from the end of the first hole group to the beginning of the next hole group, and so on.

If the box is not checked ( ) then -- for vertical braces -- Detail Members does not generate chain dimensions between hole groups.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show chain dimensions between hole groups

Show extension dimensions from: Left or Right.

If Left is selected, then the point of origin for an extension dimension on a vertical brace detail newly generated during automatic detailing will be from the left end of the brace.

If Right is selected, then the point of origin for an extension dimension on a vertical brace detail newly generated during automatic detailing will be from the right end of the brace.

Extension dimensions from left:
Extension dimensions from right:

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimensions from

Miscellaneous

Show extension dimension: or .

If this box is checked ( ) and you Open a drawing of a miscellaneous member in the Drawing Editor, the box for Show tails will be checked by default. Show tails applies to user-added dimensions.

If the box is not checked ( ) and you Open a drawing of a miscellaneous member in the Drawing Editor, the box for Show tails will not be checked. Show tails applies to user-added dimensions.

Per-drawing setup override for detailing with templates: Show extension dimension tails

Rolled plate lengths

Rolled plate width dimension taken from: Outside or Center or Inside. This affects the Unrolled width of a rolled plate and is used in the material Description on the General Information window and in the Description in the member bill of material. The Unrolled width of the plate is also included in the plate section callout on the plate's submaterial detail.

Outside Center Inside

Outside causes the Unrolled width of the rolled plate to be measured along the outside arc of the roll.

Center causes the Unrolled width of the rolled plate to be measured along the neutral axis of the rolled plate.

Inside causes the Unrolled width of the rolled plate to be measured along the inside arc of the roll.

Bent plate lengths

Bent plate lengths calculated: At centerline for all plate thickness or Custom k-factor(s).. The choice made here affects the Description on the General Information window in Modeling and the Description in the member bill of material. Lengths of bent plates in CNC download files are also based on the choices made here.

At centerline for all plate thickness is the default and represents the method that SDS2 programs traditionally used to calculate bent plate lengths.

Custom K factors results in the length of the bent plate being calculated using the K factor in the Custom K factors table. In that table, a K factor is assigned to a range of plate thickness. Here is a link that explains the K factor: http://www.custompartnet.com/wu/sheet-metal-forming.

A K factor is a ratio that quantifies how the thickness of a bent plate material is distributed around its neutral axis.

Note: If you were to choose Custom K factors and to enter 0.5 for all K factor entries on the table, the results you would get would be the same as if you were to choose At centerline for all plate thicknesses. This is because a K factor of 0.5 indicates that the neutral axis is at the exact center of the thickness.

Unfolded surface template bend lines

Show beginning and ending bend lines:  or . UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Beginning bend line: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Center bend line: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Ending bend line: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

  • The position of these form buttons on the screen tells you what settings they apply to. Click here for more information.
  • You can Copy ( ) the settings on this screen , then Paste ( ) those settings to a different screen of the same type.
  • Save ( ) saves a file to a global folder ( ) that is used by your current version of SDS2. Give the file a name that will help other users identify its purpose. Load ( ) replaces the settings on this screen with the settings that are stored in the file that you select.
  • When editing multiple screens at the same time, Paste and Load replace mixed entries to a single field with a single entry. Copy and Save ignore fields with mixed entries, treating them as if they have no entry or do not exist.

OK (or the Enter key) closes this screen and applies the settings.

Cancel (or the Esc key) closes this screen without saving any changes.

Reset undoes all changes made to this screen since you first opened it. The screen remains open.

  • In most cases, if you make changes to the Dimension Settings, you must Detail Members again to redraw existing details as you have specified here.
  • Automatic detailing is not required to apply a change made to the following settings:
    Dimension terminals
    Break dimension lines at label interference
    Break material lines at label interference
    Break bevel lines at label interference
    Material point dimension holdback distance
    Lock outline layer
    Lock manual editing of dimension text

    Your change will be seen in all Drawing Editor drawings as soon as you press OK.
  • The default setting for Extension dimension type is reset if you have changed the Show extension dimension tail setting for Beam or Column or Brace or Miscellaneous.
  • Settings applied to the Dimension Settings screen are for your current Fabricator. When you Change Fabricator, you change to a different collection of settings.