Applying Dimensional Constraints

Use the DimensionalConstraint command to define Dimensional Constraints for entities or between constraint points on entities.

Dimensional Constraints control the distance, length, diameter, radius, and angle values of entities. Changing the value of Dimensional Constraints changes the dimension of the related entities.

You can convert associative dimensions that you created using dimensioning commands to Dimensional Constraints (but not vice versa).

You can also use the DimensionalConstraint command to set the Dynamic or Annotation type for subsequent creation of Dimensional Constraints.

To apply Dimensional Constraints:

1. Type DimensionalConstraint at the command prompt.
2. Specify an option:
   • Aligned: Constrains the direct distance between two points on entities.
   • Horizontal: Constrains the horizontal distance between two points on entities.
   • Vertical: Constrains the vertical distance between two points on entities.
   • Linear: Constrains the horizontal or vertical distance between two defining points on entities.
   • Diameter: Constrains the diameter of a Circle, Arc, or curved PolyLine segment.
   • Radial: Constrains the radius of a Circle, Arc, or curved PolyLine segment.
   • Angular: Constrains the angle between three constraint points on entities or between two Lines or PolyLine segments, or to constrain the total angle of an Arc or curved PolyLine segment.
3. The options correspond to the choices provided by individual Dimensional Constraints commands.
4. Follow the command prompts.
5. The subsequent sequences of the DimensionalConstraint command are identical to those of the individual command variants.

To convert associative dimensions to Dimensional Constraints:

1. Type DimensionalConstraint.
2. Specify the Convert option.
3. In the graphics area, specify an associative dimension (linear, diameter, radial, or angular dimension).
4. A Dimensional Constraint replaces the associative dimension.
4. If necessary, edit the Dimensional Constraint value.

To set the type of Dimensional Constraints:

1. Type DimensionalConstraint.
2. Specify the Type option.
3. Specify an option:
   • Dynamic: Dimensional Constraints are not printed and use a predefined DimensionStyle.
   • Annotational: Dimensional Constraints are printed and use the current user-defined DimensionStyle.
4. Subsequent creation of Dimensional Constraints uses the specified type.
5. For detailed information about Dynamic and Annotation types, see Understanding Dimensional Constraint Types.
4. Specify another command option or press Esc to exit the command.

Note: Use the Properties palette to change the type of Dimensional Constraints.

Access

Command: DimensionalConstraint