Dimension Formats

You can format dimensions individually or as a group in sketches and drawings. If you select a group of dimensions, only those properties the dimensions have in common are available for editing.

Editing in the Graphics Area

To position dimensions, select and drag them. You can use the rapid dimension manipulator to place dimensions so they are evenly spaced and easier to read, and the dimension palette to easily change dimension properties and formatting. To change the direction of the arrows , click the circular handles. Several display options, such as Show Parentheses and Inspection Dimension , are available in the Dimension Value PropertyManager . In the following example, the arrows are flipped, the parentheses removed, and the dimension value centered.

PropertyManagers

Select the dimension (or dimensions) and edit properties in these PropertyManagers:

• Dimension Value PropertyManager

• Dimension Leaders PropertyManager

• Dimension Other PropertyManager

The PropertyManager properties include:

• Dimension Assist Tools

• Dimension Style

• Tolerance/Precision

• Witness/Leader Display

• Leader Style

• Dimension Text (including alignment and symbols)

• Primary Value

• Display Options

• Break Lines

• Layer

In this example, the arrow style has been changed (from the default open arrows to solid arrows) and tolerance and text have been added in the Dimension PropertyManager.

Other properties you can modify using the PropertyManagers include:

• Value

• Name

• Units

• Precision

• Font

• Various check boxes and buttons

In this example, you modified the font size and style, then added an inspection display.

Dimension Styles

You can save any dimension property as part of a Dimension Style. You can also name favorites, apply them to multiple dimensions, update, and save them.

Related SolidWorks Topics

SolidWorks Help: Dimension Palette

SolidWorks Help: Rapid Dimension