Dim Associates

[neelima]

Hi,

 

Can anybody explain what is Dimension associates

[CaveMan]

Hi

 

Associative Dimensions

Setup: Options > User Preferences > Associative Dimensioning (enable tickbox)

Create geometry in model space

Usually Dimscale = 1

Dimmension Style configure to a 1:1 aepect ratio for paper space

Drawing Sheet inserted paper space scale 1:1

View port created (viewport scaled)

Dimension Paper Space

Use osnap and snap to definate geometric points on the model space geometry through the viewport from paper space.

The dimension size paper space will = modelspace size as sizes are associate via model space points to viewport scale.

 

Hope this may help

Regards

CaveMan

[Patrick Hughes]

Associative dimensions, when created and modified, will automatically update the dimensional value when the "node" of the extension line is stretched. The node is the point that you pick when you create the dimension.

 

Try them, experiment, it's a great way to learn.

[neelima]

What is the advantage of Dim Associates

[ReMark]

What is the advantage of Dim Associates

 

The post by Patrick Hughes answers the question. In short...stretch the geometry and the dimensions will change right along with it.

[irneb]

There's another benefit (but I think CaveMan was trying to explain): If your dimensions are placed on paper space, then you don't need alternative dimstyles for each scale if DimAssoc=2. Dims made on top of linework showing through a viewport will automatically show the model-space lengths - instead of the paper lengths if DimAssoc=1.

 

DimAssoc=0 is "never" used, it simply creates exploded dimensions - rather useless IMO.

 

And another one (though just an extension of the main one): Associative dimensions can even work on xrefs. Say you've got some linework coming into dwg B from dwg A. You want your dim to be drawn in B. After you've done that the dim is associated with the picked entities from A. So if you (or someone else) edits A you don't need to manually edit the dims as well - they'll "automatically" update to suit when the xref is reloaded.

 

There is a "slight" hiccup with the last though: if someone erases the linework you could end up with dims jumping off the side of the drawing and "into space"

[SLW210]

DimAssoc=0 is "never" used, it simply creates exploded dimensions.

 

I wish.

 

Too add to everyone else's comments...

 

You may need to use DIMREGEN to update associative dimensions after panning or zooming with a wheel mouse, after opening a drawing that was modified with an earlier release, or after opening a drawing with external references that have been modified.

 

Although associative dimensions support most object types that you would expect to dimension, they do not support the following:

•Hatches

•Multiline objects

•2D solids

•Objects with nonzero thickness

•Images

•DWF underlays

 

When selecting objects to dimension, make sure that the objects that you select don't include a directly overlapping object that does not support associative dimensioning such as a 2D solid.

 

Associativity is not maintained between a dimension and a block reference if the block is redefined.

 

Associativity is not maintained between a dimension and a 3D solid if the shape of the 3D solid is modified.

[irneb]

Yep ... I've seen those exploded dims , can't for the life of me understand why someone would want to do that! Unless of course they're sadistic!

 

BTW, seeing as redefined blocks will loose dim associativity - does that mean you can't even BEdit the block after dimensioning to it? Or is it only when you "explode" and recreate it?

 

Edit: Actually just tried it on a dynamic block (those usually give the worst trouble). The dynamic "stretch" updates perfectly, even after BEdit and add some new geometry - but of course if you erase one of those lines ...

 

So I thought: "Perhaps if I didn't redefine the 'usual' way ..." Tried a redefine through Design Center. That seems to break the dynamic -associativity in the block (changing a stretch parameter doesn't now update the dim anymore). But it doesn't seem to break dims to entities which weren't part of a dynamic action: e.g. a dimension between 2 blocks - both pointing to "static" entities in the blocks.

Edited July 21, 2011 by irneb

[SLW210]

BTW, seeing as redefined blocks will loose dim associativity - does that mean you can't even BEdit the block after dimensioning to it? Or is it only when you "explode" and recreate it?

 

Try it and see, I wouldn't know. I dimension after all my blocks are correct, usually. A dimreassociate should fix it though. When I get a chance I will give it a shot.

[irneb]

Sorry, see the edit on my previous post.

[SLW210]

You should do a write-up on this for the Tips or FAQ.

[irneb]

You should do a write-up on this for the Tips or FAQ.

Good point! I've started this in a thread under the Tutorials and Tips'n'Tricks forum: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?61209-Using-Associative-Dimensions