Centering dimension text at creation

[xr309]

Using 2012.

 

When placing the text of a dimension, it is logical that you can place it anywhere you like. But shouldn't there be a way to choose "centered" or "home" right away, if you want the text centered? I know you can follow up with a second command to do this, but that just isn't efficient.

 

Does anyone know how to do this?

[Dana W]

There are methods for this included in the dimension style modification dialog box. You can set the text default position to any of several positions, including centered. You can even fine tune the distance above or below the line that the dimension falls.

[xr309]

As I mentioned, it is logical to position the text anywhere you like, by default. What I'm asking is not how to set the default position to centered, but how to choose centered, on the fly, when your default is set to manual text placement.

 

I'd like to place a dimension where I want, either centered or not centered, with one command. Not two or more.

[SLW210]

Shift+Right-Click and select a snap.

[Dana W]

As I mentioned, it is logical to position the text anywhere you like, by default. What I'm asking is not how to set the default position to centered, but how to choose centered, on the fly, when your default is set to manual text placement.

 

I'd like to place a dimension where I want, either centered or not centered, with one command. Not two or more.

 

Oh, that sheds more light. SLW210 gots it.

[xr309]

Shift+Right-Click and select a snap.

 

That's getting closer. And that's what I do now. But if there is nothing to snap to, then that doesn't work and you're stuck with the double command again. Or you have to first draw something that you can snap to.

 

Ideally, for a horizontal dimension for example, you would pick the two dimension points, then enter H for home, right click/enter, left click for the Y position, right click/enter. Unfortunately, there is no H option at that point. I was hoping that maybe someone knows of a trick to achieve this.

[SLW210]

Can you provide some images to show what you want? I am just not following your intent here.

[nestly]

As I mentioned, it is logical to position the text anywhere you like, by default.

I'd like to place a dimension where I want, either centered or not centered, with one command. Not two or more.

 

I believe the "proper" location for Dimension text is "centered". I don't think any method would be more efficient than using the default setting of "centered", and using grips for when a none standard location is desired.

 

[xr309]

@ nestly:

 

That's fine when you are drawing a lone, big, blank rectangle. Doesn't apply with complex drawings without space for always centering.

 

Regardless, if I preferred "centered" as the default, then I would like the option of manual placement without a second command.

 

@ SLW210

 

Here is a simple example. My default dim settings are for placing the text wherever I please.

 

In the top example of the drawing, I place the text slightly to the right (one command).

 

If I want to center the text (shown in the bottom of the drawing), I have to first place the text, then use one of several, second commands/methods to center it. As you can see, there is no midpoint or center here to snap to.

 

 

 

Now, I know that I could simply, manually place the text as close to the center as possible. But, in the interest of speed, standardization and perfectionism, this would be a handy feature. I'd like to call it intrinsic.

 

Any tips?

Edited August 24, 2011 by xr309

[nestly]

I realize this is not precisely what you're requesting, but there are some simple and quick solutions via the right-click menus.

 

As you can see, there is no midpoint or center here to snap to.

 

There's ALWAYS a midpoint to Snap to.

 

[xr309]

 

Once again, I'd like to accomplish this with one command only. I never mentioned having difficulty centering text with more than one command. But, maybe someone else has a use for that video. So that's OK...

 

I think it's safe to say that what I'm asking for is just not possible. Take heed AutoCAD developers. This would be very easy to add to the next version. Efficiency is king!

[SLW210]

I tried and cannot figure it out. I see one workaround would be to use two or more DimStyles with the different options.

 

You could try searching the net for different VBA or LISP routines. I will search around later if time allows.

[bjenk8100]

honestly cant get much easier than that. takes like 5 seconds.

[nestly]

honestly cant get much easier than that. takes like 5 seconds.

 

It takes about 4 seconds in my videos to center the manually placed text using either grips or the right-click context sensitive menus, but I did them super slow for demonstration purposes. Real world speed is ~ 1 1/2 seconds.

[xr309]

honestly cant get much easier than that. takes like 5 seconds.

It takes about 4 seconds in my videos to center the manually placed text using either grips or the right-click context sensitive menus, but I did them super slow for demonstration purposes. Real world speed is ~ 1 1/2 seconds.

 

OK guys. Please read carefully. One more time:

 

...again, I'd like to accomplish this with one command only. I never mentioned having difficulty centering text with more than one command...Efficiency is king!

 

Honestly!

 

The "Mid Between 2 points" is getting really close but it is still takes extra clicks, and still only defines the position on one axis of the two required. If there was a "Home" on the exact same right click menu, or ideally, the option to enter "H" for home on the command line at the exact same time, we would have our solution. 0.25 seconds is better than 1.5. One click is better/easier than two. Two clicks is better/easier than three. A one-letter keyboard command is better/easier than selecting snap points etc...

 

I think it's safe to say that what I'm asking for is just not possible.

 

And that's OK. I appreciate you all taking time to look into it. Thank you.

[nestly]

If there was a "Home" on the exact same right click menu.... ..... we would have our solution.

 

That we can do with relative ease.

 

 

A one-letter keyboard command is better/easier than selecting snap points etc...

 

Technically, I believe it would have to be an "H" followed by an "Enter" at the command line, so I think if you make the change to the Context sensitive right click menu, it's down to a comparison between your ideal solution of two keystrokes versus two mouse clicks.

 

Personally, ~95% of my dimensions centered text, but if I had a significant amount of both, I'd do what SLW210 suggested and have two commands/buttons, one for centered text, and one for manually placement.

Edited August 31, 2011 by nestly

[xr309]

Now there's a productive reply! That's the trick. Just a quick macro edit and I'm off to the races.

I just got 2012 and haven't explored the CUI yet. Now I'm stoked to customize the hell out of everything.

Thanks again guys.

[nestly]

If you're going to make major modifications to the CUI, make sure you do it in your own custom CUI, not the default acad.cuix, so you can easily migrate your customizations.