Dimension Properties

Dimensions

Dimensions provide a simple method to annotate the graphical view with both linear and angular dimensions between any combination of points and objects. They are dynamic entities in that both the numeric values and the leader lines update in real time as the points and objects move in the job file. This allows you to set up dimensions in advance and see changes graphically as fits or alignments are updated with each new measurement.

Standardized dimensional analysis is a separate process performed using GD&T checks.

 

Types of Dimensions

There are several different types of dimensions that you can create:

Both Point to Point and Point to Object dimensions can also be extracted directly from a point cloud.

 

Working With Dimensions

To Create a Dimension:

Select a dimension configuration from the drop-down on the Reporting tab of the ribbon bar. The icons provide the ability to pre-configure dimension to display as desired depending on the icon selection.

 

Properties Common to all Dimensions

Default Properties Settings

A set of default Dimension Settings are available through the Users Options on the display tab. These default settings will be used any time a new dimension is created and include the following properties:

Text Settings

Dimensions can be oriented based on their leader lines, or can be set to always face the screen:

 

 

To Interactively Change the Graphical Placement of Multiple Dimensions at Once:

Right-click the Dimensions category in the tree and select Dimension Cursor Operations to open the dialog. While this dialog is open dimensions can be positioned graphically using the keyboard shortcuts listed.

 

 

To Change Settings for All Dimensions in a single Collection:

All dimensions in a collection have a set of common properties which can be adjusted at one time using the option within the dimension category right-click menu. These controls are ideal for editing text size and placement and include the following:

 

To Apply settings from one Dimension to a selection of others:

An Apply to Selected Dimension button is available in each dimension properties dialog. When selected you will first be prompted to select the dimensions you wish to consider. This will show a filtered list with only applicable dimensions of the same type.

You will then see an options dialog which allows you to choose and preview the dimension properties that you are applying to the selected dimensions.

 

 

Cloud Point Mode

Dimensions can be created directly from point clouds by checking the optional Cloud Point Mode check box. This enables Point to Point and Point to Objects dimensions to be built directly from point cloud data. Because of the inherent noise in cloud data, the user click point selection is used to define a volume or Voxel and the most representative point in that volume is then converted into a point and used for the dimension placement. This voxel size is also user controllable.