Dimensioning macros

[zaphod]

Hello, I have a several long objects I will have to dimension around 18 feet, with several groups of holes, several feet apart, the holes are in close groups, generally 3 groups of holes that land in a space of 20" in X and 4" in Y, in groups of 4, 6, and 8, C-C 1.625" X 2", for the X dimension we use ordinate, but the Y we use dimlinear. We then use viewports to make the prints with the Y dims frozen in the X view and vice versa. The Y view has several smaller viewports. All dimensions are done in model space; we have tried dimensioning in paper space with little success when things get crowded. So I wrote my first macro "*^C^C^C_dimlinear;0,0". I was just wondering if there is a way I can make this work faster and better, I would like to force the dimension to be in the Y axis, and I would like to turn "OSNAP" off in between hole pic's for better placement of dimensions, is this possible?

Also is it possible to do this without changing the ucs for every part?

Is there a "baseline" dimension option that will allow me to pick the placement of each dimension?

Quick dimension comes out as a cluttered mess. I found a program called Adaucogit Salt, which looks really cool, but it doesn't work on AutoCAD 2013.

I have a lot of parts I will have to do, but I am in the "hurry up and wait" stage of this project, and just trying to make myself more efficient for when the time comes.

Why don't we use ordinate for the "Y" dimensions, because whoever did it first decided not to and our fabricators are use to it. "Don't mess with what works!"

 

Thanks for reading.

[zaphod]

My stubbornness’ made me figure it out during lunch, for those interested "*^C^C^C_dimlinear;0,0;\V NON", note the space is necessary.

Edited June 13, 2014 by zaphod

[BIGAL]

Just a comment you can automate dimensioning to a certain degree so you dont have to go pick pick pick etc For me pick start, pick end 20 dims appear. Finds intersecting objects. Say dim a 3x4 pattern of holes I would do via a window.

 

Maybe post a image or dwg you never know who has what out there.

[zaphod]

ok here is a sample

model space.pdf

paperspace.pdf

[zaphod]

Just a comment you can automate dimensioning to a certain degree so you dont have to go pick pick pick etc For me pick start, pick end 20 dims appear. Finds intersecting objects. Say dim a 3x4 pattern of holes I would do via a window.

 

how do you do this sir?

[BIGAL]

I was talking about using a lisp to automate the dims I dont have a specific one for you, but the method would be pick base pt window circles, dimensions now appear. I would think that some one would have something to do multiple holes and they will post.

 

On second thought I would draw the holes and dimension at same time need a few lisps 1 hole, 2 stacked, 2x3 stacked, 2x2@45. I can see a method in the pdf. If I have time will try to do something.

[BIGAL]

This is very rough but is an example of how to create a hole and dim it at same time. Note change dia which is is 30 in example.

 

(defun dimhole ( / pt pt2 pt3)
(setq pi2 (/ pi 2.0))
(setq pt (getpoint "\nPick point"))
(setq offd (getreal "\nEnter edge Offset"))
(setq ht (getreal "\nEnter centre Height"))
(setq pt2 (polar pt 0.0 offd))
(setq pt2 (polar pt2 pi2 ht))
(setq pt3 (polar pt pi 30))
(command "circle" pt2 20) 
(command "dim" "Vert" pt pt2 pt3 "")
)
(dimhole)

[zaphod]

Thank you for trying, I'm not drawing the parts out they are flatshots of 3D parts from a structure. Maybe a lisp is the way to go, my macro has speeded it up, but faster if accurate, would be much better.