Dimscale

[Scoobydoo]

Seems like forever I have set my drawings by using the following:

 

DIMSCALE = 1

LTSCALE = .5

 

My drawings have always plotted beautifully and with no problems. I know what the LTSCALE does for me, but can somebody explain exactly what the DIMSCALE is and why I set it to 1?

 

I've been using CAD since V12 for DOS, and this is one of those things that I've always been told to use that setting, but have never questioned as to why, and when I was helping somebody on a drawing the other day, I instructed them to use the settings as mentioned above and they asked what DIMSCALE does, and by golly, I could not give them a reasonable explanation! Can somebody explain it to me please?! Thanks!!

[ReMark]

DIMSCALE is used to control the overall scale of dimensions.

[Scoobydoo]

So when I plot a drawing at 1:1, the dimension scale is set to 1, then my dimensions will plot at 100% of the scale factor? I apologize for sounding stupid, I just want to understand this.

[ReMark]

DIMSCALE is dependent on how your drawing is laid out. The three methods used to create dimensions in a drawing are:

 

Dimension in model space/plot from model space.

Dimension in model space/plot from paper space.

Dimension in a layout.

 

For the first method set DIMSCALE to the inverse of the plot scale you wish to use. Example: If the plot scale is 1/8, set DIMSCALE to 8.

 

In the second method set DIMSCALE to 0.

 

In the third method set DIMSCALE to 1.

[Scoobydoo]

Perfect, this is what I was looking for. Thank you!

[ReMark]

You're entirely welcomed. Glad you found that useful.

[TonyD]

I use a "cad card" to find scale factor, dimscale, lts, papersizes, and many other things. It's an education in it's self.

I'd post a photo but I guess "the man" thinks better.