Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published July 2006

Dimensioning Model Space Objects in Paper Space

Disclaimer: This is something you want to consider only after mastering dimensioning in Model Space. That said, before you begin, there are a few pre-requisites:

1. Make sure the variable DIMASSOC is set to <2>.
2. I would suggest you create a separate dimension style (named appropriately) for dimensioning in Paper Space in which the setting on the Fit tab is set to Scale Dimensions To Layout (Dimscale = 0 for you Dimvar junkies).
3. You can do all the dimensioning on one layer, so set that one to current.
4. In order to follow along, you need to have a drawing open with objects in model space and a layout tab with at least two viewports with each viewport set to a different plot scale. If that procedure is unfamiliar, take a look at the Basic section in January, 2006, Viewports in a Layout.

Given the above, here's how it works:

Instructions to Add Dimensions in Paper Space to Model Space Objects

1. In the Layout, launch the Linear Dimension routine and pick two points on the objects in Model Space in one of the viewports and place the dimension. The first illustration plot scale is 1/4" = 1'-0".
2. Launch the Linear Dimension routine again, and for the other viewport, create another dimension in the Layout. If your viewports are two different plot scales (as mine are), you will notice that the dimension elements are the same size… and accurate!

So here are the questions opponents to this method bring up:

What if you move the viewport?
Answer: Use the DIMREGEN command. Try it.

Next question, what if I Pan the objects in the viewport?
Answer: Use the DIMREGEN command. No, really; try it. And believe it or not, that command even works if you change the plot scale in the viewport!

So out of the boodles of people reading this, there's a possibility that someone got, shall we say, "unexpected results".
Answer: Use the DIMREASSOC command and follow the prompts.

The benefit to this procedure is more evident for those of you who are working with 3D solids in Model Space and you have three views in a Layout. If you were dimensioning the model in Model Space, you would have to reorient the UCS and make sure it was in the right place in relation to the solid and it would be quite the tedious affair. By dimensioning the solid views in the Layout, you can more quickly accomplish your goal.

Follow-Up to June's "Unrecognized Fonts"

Solution from a reader in Houston, TX, USA

Michael, here is another solution regarding your topic "Unrecognized Fonts". This is a 'bigfont' solution, not a shape solution.

1. Identify the style name that is not recognized. Upon opening the drawing in question, the "Select Font for Style…" dialog box will appear.
2. Hit "Cancel" to exit "Select Font for Style…" dialog box and continue opening drawing.
3. Go to "Style" command
4. Highlight style name in step 1
5. Uncheck "Use Big Font" box
6. "Apply" and close
7. Save and reopen drawing

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