The Edit Dimension window ( Drawing Editor )
Also see :
- Parts of a dimension (terminology used to describe dimensions)
- Primary Dimensions (setup for auto detailing)
- Secondary Dimensions (setup for auto detailing)
- Linetype Edit Palette (default sizes for Add Dimension )
- Layer selection tool (default layer for Add Dimension )
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To open the Edit Dimension window :
The Edit Dimension window opens when you:
- Double-click a dimension
- Dimension Edit
- Dimension Edit All
It may optionally open when you:
- Dimension Add
- Dimension Add Horizontal
- Dimension Add Vertical
- Add Extension Dimension
- Dimension Add Actual
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" Copy " " Paste " " Save " " Load " buttons
These buttons appear on this window only if the dimension (or dimensions) you are editing are on a comment layer .
You'll find buttons like these at the top of this window and embedded in the border of individual sections on this window. At the top of this window, the buttons apply to all user-editable settings. Embedded in the border of the top of a section, the buttons apply to only those user-editable settings that are in that section. Click here for more information.
You can " Copy " (
) the settings on this window, then change the " Dimension__of " number you are editing using the VCR buttons, then " Paste " (
) those settings to the newly selected dimension.
" Save " (
) saves the file to a global folder (
) that is used by your current version of this program. Give the file a name that will help users in other Jobs on your network identify its purpose. " Load " (
) changes settings for that section to the settings that are stored in the file that you select.
folder it saves to settings it saves top of this window form/label all on this window Primary or Secondary form/label-side all in that section Tip: Right-click a " Load " button to get a list of recently created forms that can be applied to the section which that " Load " button governs. Selecting the name of a form from the list populates the fields in that section with the form settings that were saved under that name.
" 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.
contents | objects > dimensions > | objects -- dimensions | top
------ Primary dimension ------
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Origin: Lower left or Left center or Upper left or Lower center or Center or Upper center or Lower right or Right center or Upper right . The origin ( o ) of a dimension label is highlighted along with the dimension label when the dimension label is selected.
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Examples: To orient the text block so that its origin point is at its lower left, select ' Lower left '. To center the text block over the origin point, select ' Center '.
Tip: Instead of using " Origin " to reposition a dimension label, you can Shift-drag the dimension label to a new position.
Breaks lines: 
or 
. The setup options " Break material lines at label interference " or " Break dimension lines at label interference " must be checked for this option to apply.
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If this box is checked (
If the box is not checked (
Freeze label: or . This applies to two-legged dimensions as well as extension dimensions (one-legged dimensions).
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not checked ( )
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If this box is checked (
If the box is not checked (
A special case: Dragging the leg of a dimension causes the dimension to be recalculated only if the dimension's " Label text " begins with a number. If the " Label text " begins non-numerically, with an expression such as A992, any dimensional component of that dimension will not be recalculated, even if " Freeze label " is not checked.
Also see: " Freeze all dimension labels " on the Drawing Data window prevents extension dimension from be recalculated when you drag groups of objects.
Bo rder: None or Rectangle or Cloud or Slot .
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Note: A border is part of the dimension, not an object that is distinct from the dimension. This means, for example, that you cannot select cloud borders with the Selection Filter set to ' Clouds '. Nor can you select a rectangular border with the Selection Filter set to ' Lines '. Unless you Explode the dimension, the dimension and its border are always selected together.
Border line style: A line type . This applies when " Border " is ' Rectangle ' or ' Cloud ' or ' Slot '.
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These line styles are equivalent to the dash patterns that you can select to be the " Line type " of a line. They set the dash pattern for the border aound the ' Rectangle ' or ' Cloud ' or ' Slot ' that is selected to " Border " the label. |
Border gap: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units "). In the example below, the gap is measured using Add Dimension .
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Note: You enter a " Border gap " of ' 0.5 ' inches and your " Drawing scale " is ' 1 ' (Base 12). The actual gap on the printed drawing will be 1/12 x 0.5 = 0.04167 inches. This is different than " Font size ," which sets the actual height of characters in the printed drawing.
Border color: 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 . No button is pressed if you are editing multiple dimensions whose borders have different pen numbers.
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| If you use the defaults defined in Line Weights , the choice made here sets the thickness of the border (as well as its on-screen display color). |
Underline: 
or . You can use this button to underline one or more words or letters of the " Label text " that makes up this label.
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If the cursor (text insertion bar) is within a block of " underline " " Label text ," the
If you select a string of " Label text " that is "non-strikethrough" text then press the
If you select a string of " Label text " that is already strikethrough text then press the
Strikethrough: 
or . You can use this button to strikethrough one or more words or letters of the " Label text " that makes up this label.
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If the cursor (text insertion bar) is within a block of " strikethrough " " Label text ," the
If you select a string of " Label text " that is "non-strikethrough" text then press the
If you select a string of " Label text " that is already strikethrough text then press the
Justification: Left or Center or Right . Each line in multi-line " Label text " can have a different justification. Select one or more lines of text, then press the appropriate button to apply the justification that you want.
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A dimension label's bounding box is a rectangle whose height is determined by the number of lines of dimension label text and the maximum character height of each of those lines of text. The width of the bounding box is the length of the longest line of dimension label text. " Justification " has no effect on dimension label text that consists of a single line since the bounding box is the length and maximum character height of that single line.
Also see: To orient an entire text block with respect to its origin, see " Origin ." That option can also be used on a text block that consists of a single line.
Pen: 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 .
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| The selected button sets the on-screen display color of primary dimension labels and, if you are using the 'SDS2 ' font , it sets the printed thickness (though not the displayed thickness) of that font. |
For a TrueType font, the " Pen color " affects the display color of the text, but does not affect the plotted appearance of the " Font " so long as all pens in Line Weights are set to print in black. By default, all pens in Line Weights are set to print in black.
For the ' SDS2 ' Font, the pen color sets the stroke weight (thickness) of the primary dimension characters. Line Weights assigns a particular thickness to each " Pen color ."
Font family: Any font that is listed can be selected for the primary dimension " Label text ."
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For a TrueType font , such as any of those shown here, set the " Font aspect ratio " to ' 0.6 ' to have the font rendered at its native width. |
Be sure to also choose the " Font style " that you want. The " Font size " sets the character height. If you select the ' SDS2 ' font, be aware that the " Pen affects the thickness of the font when it is plotted.
Font style: The style (' Bold ' or ' Bold Italic ' or ' Italic ' or ' Regular ') of the selected " Font ." Different fonts may have different styles available to them.
Available font styles are listed alphabetically in the font style list box , and the first style that is listed is selected by default. You may, instead of using the default, prefer to choose ' Regular ', which is generally the most popular style for a particular font. ' Regular ' is the only choice that is available for the ' SDS2 ' font. To adjust the stroke thickness of the ' SDS2 ' font, you can change the " Pen ."
Font size: The character height (in millimeters) of letters/numbers in the dimension label.
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Font dependencies: This applies to whatever font is selected as the primary dimension " Font ," regardless of whether that font is a TrueType font or the ' SDS2 ' font.
Font aspect ratio: The width/height ratio of the characters that make up the dimension label.
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Font dependencies: This applies to whatever font is selected as the primary dimension " Font ," regardless of whether that font is a TrueType font or the ' SDS2 ' font. For a TrueType font, a ratio of ' 0.6 ' renders that font at its native width. A ratio larger than ' 0.6 ' stretches the font. A ratio less than ' 0.6 ' compacts the font. For the ' SDS2 ' font, ' 0.4 ' is the default choice.
Rotation (degrees): A positive or negative (-) number from 360 to -360 degrees.
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An entry of ' 0 ' (zero) degrees designates horizontal lettering.
A ' positive number ' of degrees will rotate the label counterclockwise from horizontal.
A ' negative (-) number ' of degrees will rotate the label clockwise from horizontal.
Label text: Any string of up to 256 alpha/numeric characters. Entries should be in the " Units " that are set in Drawing Presentation for primary dimensions. Special characters can be added as " Label text " using Latin 1 characters 0160 to 0255 -- hold down the Alt key and type in the number using your numerical keypad, or copy and paste from the Character Map that can be launched from your operating system's Accessories menu. Note: When you type in " Label text " that modifies or changes a calculated dimension, " Freeze label " is automatically checked, thus preventing a dimension from being recalculated from its points. You can uncheck the box, even while still typing in the " Label text ."
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| Key Bindings for Text Entry (when the cursor is in the text-entry area) |
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| key | action bound to key |
| Alt +num |
inserts characters 0160 to 0255 |
| Enter | creates a line break |
| Ctrl +a | selects all text |
| Ctr+Enter | executes " OK " |
| Ctr+c * | copies selected text |
| Ctrl+x * | cuts selected text |
| Ctrl+v * | pastes cut or copied text |
| Tab | moves focus to next widget |
| Esc | executes " Cancel " |
| * = applies to all text entry fields. | |
Examples of Character Codes Alt+num
[num lock]character description 0177 ± plus/minus 0188 ¼ one fourth 0247 ÷ division sign 0248 ø diameter Tip: Click here or see the Character Map on your operating system's Accessories menu for a complete list.
For a truetype font, " Label text " shows the font at its native aspect (" Aspect ratio " = ' 0.6 ')
For the SDS2 font, " Label text " shows a proxy font. The " Pen " does not affect the thickness of this proxy font, but will affect the thickness of the SDS2 font on the printed drawing.
Also see: Lock manual editing of dimension text , Override Drawing Editor restriction options .
contents | objects > dimensions > | objects -- dimensions | top
------ Secondary dimension ------
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Origin: Same as the " Origin " for the primary label of this dimension, except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Breaks lines: Same as " Breaks lines ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Freeze label: Same as " Freeze label ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Border: Same as " Border ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Border line style: Same as " Border line style ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Border gap: Same as " Border gap ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Border pen: Same as " Border pen ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Underline: Same as " Underline ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Strikethrough: Same as " Strikethrough ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Justification: Same as the " Justification ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Pen: Same as the " Pen " for the primary dimension label, except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Font family: Same as the " Font family " for the primary label of this dimension, except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Font style: Same as the " Font style " for the primary label of this dimension, except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Font size: Same as the " Font size ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Font aspect ratio: Same as the " Font aspect ratio ," except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Rotation: Same as the " Rotation " for the primary dimension label, except that this applies to the secondary dimension label.
Label text: Same as " Label text " ( 
), except that the text entered here is placed below the dimension line.
Note: The " Units " of secondary dimension text may be different than those set for the primary dimension label.
contents | objects > dimensions > | objects -- dimensions | top
------ Options that apply to the entire dimension ------
Dimension attached to view: A number designating the view that this dimension is attached to. This applies mainly to member details , since member details are likely to show more views than submaterial details , the only other type of drawing on which you might find multiple views. For instance, a column detail may have a view of face A, face B and face C. It may also have various section views (Section A-A, Section B-B, Section C-C). All graphical objects that are in a particular view are assigned the same number.
Assigning the correct number to an object (line, weld symbol, label, etc.) provides maximum compatibility when the comment layer you add that object to is viewed or printed in a full-featured SDS2 program .
To show a view's number, you can add the X-Y-Z Display to your toolbar.
In the Drawing Editor , the X-Y-Z Display shows the view number that the point location target (
) is over.
Layer: The drawing layer (any layer given a " Name ") that the dimension (including its primary and secondary labels) you are adding or editing will be placed onto when you press " OK " to close this window. If that layer happens to be hidden (not marked " Show "), the dimension will disappear after the first Redraw .
If the layer listed here is a non-comment layer: Options on this window are read-only.
If this window is editable: You can only select a comment layer from the list box's selection menu (
).
Defaults: For an Add Dimension operation, the default selection (
Size of dimension terminals: a number less than 1 or 1 or a number greater than 1 .
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| A green label indicates each dimension's terminal size. | |||||
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" Dimension terminals " in set to ' Arrow '. | ||||
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" Dimension terminals " in set to ' Slash '. | ||||
' A number less than 1 ' reduces the size of a dimension's terminals relative to a terminal size of 1. For example, a size .5 terminal is 1/2 the size of a size 1 terminal. A size .75 terminal is 3/4 the size of a size 1 terminal.
' 1 ' is the standard size of dimension terminals. In pre-2018 versions of SDS2 software, all dimension terminals were this size, and users could not change that size.
' A number greater than 1 ' increases the size of a dimension's terminals relative to what its size 1 size would be. For example, a size 1.5 terminal is 1 1/2 times the size of a size 1 terminal. A size 2 terminal is 2 times the size of a size 1 terminal.
Default: The " Size of dimension terminals " in Drawing Presentation ( Fabricator Setup ) sets the size of dimension terminals for all auto detailed dimensions and for the first dimension that is added during a Drawing Editor session.
Breakable dimension leg(s): or . The setup option " Break dimension lines at label interference " must be checked for this option to apply.
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If this box is checked (
If the box is not checked (
Workpoint ID: An identification number that assigns the extension dimensions you are editing to whatever workpoint has the " Workpoint ID " number that you enter. ' 0 ' indicates that your current drawing has no workpoint -- click here .
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Frame 1 : Here's a 1-0 foot square with two workpoints (marked 1 and 2 ) and extension dimensions that measure points marked a and b . Both extension dimensions are assigned to, and therefore dimensioned from, workpoint 1 . | |||
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Frame 2 : The extension dimension that measures to point b in Frame 1 is edited, and its " Workpoint ID " is changed from ' 1 ' to ' 2 '. | |||
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Frame 3 : Because extension dimension b is now assigned to workpoint 2 , its leg is rotated to be parallel with workpoint 2's origin symbol , and the distance to workpoint 2 is automatically reported in the dimension label. |
The " Workpoint ID " that you enter here identifies the workpoint that the extension dimensions you are editing on this window belong to. This option is needed because Workpoint Add allows you to add more than one extension dimension workpoint to a drawing.
The " Workpoint ID " is ' 0 ' (zero) if there is no workpoint in your current drawing.
If there is no workpoint, and the drawing type is a extension dims are measured from ... job standard detail
or a
global standard ,the standard detail's reference point . When you Add Standard Detail , the dimensions recalculate to the workpoint of the drawing being added to -- unless you first " erection view , erection sheet , sheet outline . the drawing's 0, 0 point. You can mark the 0,0 point by setting " X= " and " Y= " to ' 0 ' using the Offset Controls , then adding a pair of crossing construction lines.
You can enter the " Workpoint ID " of any workpoint that is in your current drawing. Refer to the Workpoint Edit window or to the workpoint origin symbol to find out the ID number of a workpoint. The program only lets you enter an ID number that exists in your current drawing.
As illustrated in the examples shown above, the leg of an extension dimension is drawn parallel to the workpoint origin symbol which that extension dimension is associated with. Also, the distance reported in that extension dimension's label is the distance from that workpoint (so long as '
Force expansion offset on: Left leg or Right leg or Both legs or Neither leg .
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Also see: Drag a dimension label to change the expansion offset side . " Expand dimensions less than or equal to " (setup).
Limit left leg length to: plus a distance or . A dimension label is read from left to right. The left leg is the leg that is closest to the left end of the dimension label.
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If this box is checked (
If the box is not checked (
Limit right leg length to: plus a distance or . A dimension label is read from left to right. The right leg is the leg that is closest to the right end of the dimension label.
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If this box is checked (
If the box is not checked (
Pen color: 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 . No button is pressed if you are editing multiple dimensions that have different pen numbers. This only affects the dimension line and legs , not the label.
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| The selected button sets the printing pen number (and on-screen display color) of the dimension lines. Line Weights assigns a particular thickness to each " Pen color ." |
Dimension _ of __ (not applicable to Add Dimension or multiple edit) : The number of the one dimension you are editing and the total count of all dimensions in your current drawing. You can use the VCR buttons to select a different dimension on a comment layer and edit it while still on this window. When a dimension on a shown layer is selected, it is displayed in green. The selected dimension must be on a shown layer for it to be shown.
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| VCR buttons (first-previous-next-last) for selecting a dimension to edit. |
Note: If you change to one dimension, then select a different dimension number, the first dimension remains changed even if you press " Cancel " on this window.
contents | objects > dimensions > | objects -- dimensions | top
To close the Edit Dimension window :
Possibility #1 :
press the " OK " button if this window is for review only
(if you are editing an object that is not on a comment layer ).
Possibility #2 :
if you are adding or editing an object on a comment layer,
the bottom of this window will show the following buttons:
"OK" (or the Enter key) completes the Dimension Edit or Dimension Edit All operation used to open this window.
Tip: To set the defaults for Add Dimension , double-click a dimension that is on a comment layer to open this window, then press " OK ." The default settings for the next new dimension that you add will be those of the dimension you double-clicked.
"Cancel" (or the Esc key or the 
button) closes this window without applying any of the changes that you have made to it. " Cancel " only applies to the dimension that is currently selected in the " Dimension _ of __ " widget.
Tip 1: If you do not want to set the defaults for Add Dimension , then press " Cancel ."
Tip 2: Although " Cancel " does not cancel changes made using the " Dimension _ of __ " widget, Undo (after you have closed this window) does undo all changes made using this window.
"Reset" undoes all changes made to this window since you first opened it. The window remains open.
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