DesignSpark Mechanical Online Help

Dimensioning between virtual points

You can create dimensions from the line between two points or the mid-plane between two lines, even when that line doesn't exist as an edge.

To dimension between virtual points

1. Click DimensionAnnotation on a drawing showing measurement of an edge or face. Use the Dimension tool to add measurements to your design, drawing sheet, or 3D markup. in the AnnotationInformation you can add to a drawing, such as notes, dimensions, geometric tolerances, center marks, and Bills of Materials. group on the Detailing tab Investigate group on the Design2D or 3D model that contains at least one top-level component. tab.

2. Select a point (A) as your starting point.

3. Hold Ctrl and select a second point (B).

   This creates a virtual line between points A and B, which will be the baseline of your dimension.

4. Select a third point (C).

   Now you have a dimension between line AB and point C:

   

   If you hold Ctrl when you select point C, the dimension is created between line AB and line BC:

   

5. (Optional) If you select point C without holding Ctrl, and hold Ctrl to select a fourth point (D), the dimension is created between line AB and line CD:

   

6. Click anywhere in the annotation plane to place the dimension.

To dimension to a virtual sharp

1. Click DimensionAnnotation on a drawing showing measurement of an edge or face. Use the Dimension tool to add measurements to your design, drawing sheet, or 3D markup. in the AnnotationInformation you can add to a drawing, such as notes, dimensions, geometric tolerances, center marks, and Bills of Materials. group on the Detailing tab Investigate group on the Design2D or 3D model that contains at least one top-level component. tab.

2. Hold Ctrl and select a line.

3. Hold Ctrl and select a converging line.

   The head of the note leader is attached to the virtual sharp. You can also drag the virtual sharp’s end point, draw another leader to the virtual sharp, create virtual sharps in cross-section, for rounds, and between an angled and straight edge.

4. (Optional) To end the dimension at another virtual sharp,

   1. Hold Ctrl and select a line.

   2. Hold Ctrl and select a converging line.

5. Click anywhere in the annotation plane to place the dimension.

Dimension to a mid-plane line

1. Click DimensionAnnotation on a drawing showing measurement of an edge or face. Use the Dimension tool to add measurements to your design, drawing sheet, or 3D markup. in the AnnotationInformation you can add to a drawing, such as notes, dimensions, geometric tolerances, center marks, and Bills of Materials. group on the Detailing tab Investigate group on the Design2D or 3D model that contains at least one top-level component. tab.

2. Define the mid-plane line:

   1. Select a face or edge:

      

   2. Hold Ctrl and select a second face or edge:

      

   The mid-plane line is displayed as a gray line, and the beginning of the dimension is attached to this line.

3. Select the face, edge, or point you want to dimension to.

   The end of the dimension is attached to the face, edge, or point.

4. Click to place the dimension annotation.

    

You can reverse these steps to begin the dimension with an existing line or point and end the dimension with a mid-plane line. You can also dimension between two mid-plane lines.

Examples

A dimension between virtual points

A dimension from a mid-plane line to an edge

A dimension between two mid-plane lines

A dimension to the virtual sharp of a chamfered edge

A virtual sharp