MonoGRAF Linear dimensioning

Linear dimension types

MonoGRAF provides the following linear dimensioning commands:

• horizontal - generates a linear dimension with a horizontal dimension line.





Horizontal dimensioning

• vertical - generates a linear dimension with vertical dimension line.





Vertical dimensioning

• parallel - generates a linear dimension with a parallel to a specified object dimension line. The extension lines are orthogonal to the dimensioned object.





Parallel dimensioning

• directed - generates a linear dimension with a parallel to a specified object dimension line. The extension lines are declined at a specified angle with respect to the x axis.





Directed dimensioning

• baseline - continues a linear dimension from the baseline (first extension line) of the previous dimension. The new dimension line is drawn at offset to avoid drawing on top of the previous dimension.





Baseline dimensioning

• chain line - continues a linear dimension from the second extension line of the previous dimension. In effect, this breaks one long dimension into shorter segments that add up to the total measurement.





Chain line dimensioning

Linear dimensioning can be performed in two modes:

• object dimensioning;


• points dimensioning.

When you choose object dimensioning mode you instruct MonoGRAF to position the extension line automatically on the ends of a selected object. Then you are prompted to select an object. It must be a line, arc, or circle.

If a line or arc is selected, its endpoints are used as extension line origins. The endpoints of a diameter are used for a circle, but the orientation of the chosen diameter depends on the dimensioning function.

With the "horizontal" or "vertical" functions, the points of the circle lying on the horizontal and vertical diameters, respectively, serve as the origin of the extension lines.

With the "parallel" and "directed" functions, the point which "points" the circle or the arc becomes a starting point for one of the extensions lines, while the endpoint of the diameter passing through that point serves as an origin of the second extension line.

If you select a points dimensioning mode MonoGRAF asks you to enter the starting points of extension lines. You can do that by one of the existing point selection options.

With the "directed" function the next prompt following determination of the extension lines is: The angle is entered in degrees, minutes and seconds. It is measured in respect of x axis in counterclockwise direction.

After you have specified the extension line origins (or selected an entity), MonoGRAF requests: You must designate a point through which the dimension line is to pass. MonoGRAF also uses this information to decide in which direction to draw the extension lines.

The last prompt in the sequence is: A null response Enter causes MonoGRAF to measure the dimension line and generate the appropriate text.

The dimension text is normally centered between the extension lines. However, if the dimension line and text do not fit between the extension lines, they are drawn outside. The text is placed near the second extension line; thus, you can choose the text placement by judicious ordering of the extension lines.

If object selection is used to produce automatic extension lines, the second extension line is the one furthest from the point used to select the object.

The dimension text is drawn above dimension line, in the center between the extension lines. If you are drawing angle dimensions, the dimension text angles, that are above the horizontal dashdot line, are drawn in the inner side of the dimensioning line, and angles, that are under the horizontal line - in the outer side of the dimensioning line.

If there is not enough room for the arrows and the dimensioning text between the extension lines then the arrows are drawn outside, and the dimensioning text - on the dimensioning line extension, made for the second extension line. Text font size for the dimensioning is the current text font.

Often a series of related dimensions must be drawn. Sometimes several dimensions are measured from the same baseline; at other times, one long dimension is broken into shorter segments that add up to the total measurement. The "baseline" and "chain line" functions are provided to simplify these operations.

Draw the first dimension using "horizontal", "vertical", "parallel", or "directed". Then enter "baseline" or "chain line". MonoGRAF proceeds directly to the prompt, and then asks for the dimension text. The dimension line is placed at the same angle as the previous dimension. If the new dimension line overlays the previous dimension line, MonoGRAF automatically offsets the new dimension line by the amount set in the "incr of dim line" dimensioning variable. The first extension line is extended accordingly.

Learning more for MonoGRAF dimensioning