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.
There are several different types of dimensions that you can create:
Point to Point. Shows the linear distance between two points.
Point to Object. Shows the linear distance between a point and any object.
Object to Object. Shows the linear distance or angle between any two objects.
Diameter/Radius. Shows the diameter or radius of a circle or cylinder.
Both Point to Point and Point to Object dimensions can also be extracted directly from a point cloud.
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.
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:
Dimension Default Color. Dimension color can be set independently as needed for the text, leader and arrow head. The default colors are defined within the Users Options
Dimensions can be oriented based on their leader lines, or can be set to always face the screen:
Text Size. Controls the height of the displayed dimension.
Screen. The dimension always faces the screen.
Along. The dimension is oriented along the leader line.
Lateral Offset. This value allows the dimension to be shifted laterally relative to its axis on the XY plane of the reference frame.
Offset Along Dimension Line. This value allows the user to shift the placement of the text along the dimension line and can be entered as either a positive or negative number.
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.
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:
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.
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.