Placing Dimensions Using Dimension Bounding Boxes and Dimension Widgets

When dimension bounding boxes are enabled, you can place dimensions automatically as follows:
  • Spaced from existing dimensions
  • Aligned with other dimensions
  • Spaced with an offset distance specified in the Options dialog box or spaced with dimension snap offset distances as set under Drawing Settings > Dimension snap offset distances.
To use dimension bounding boxes and corresponding commands, select the Enable dimension bounding box option in the Options dialog box.

You can use widgets to specify the location of radial, diameter, and linear dimensions when using the SmartDimension command. When you hover the pointer on each side or quadrant of the widget, a preview of the dimension displays. Clicking a side or quadrant places the dimension on a side of the entity, beyond the margins of the dimension bounding box.

Dimension segment Widget Description
Linear horizontal Controls whether the dimension is placed above or below the horizontal segment.
Linear vertical Controls whether the dimension is placed to the left or right below the vertical segment.
Radial Controls the quadrant where the angular, radial, and diameter dimension is placed.
Parallel Controls whether the dimension is placed above or below the dimensioned segment.

To place dimensions automatically at dimension bounding box margins using dimension widgets:

  1. Create dimension bounding boxes.
  2. Access SmartDimension from one of the following;
    • On the ribbon, click Annotate > Dimensions > Smart.
    • On the menu, clickDimensions > Smart.
    • Type SmartDimension.
  3. In the graphics area, specify an entity to dimension.

    The dimension appears attached to the pointer. A dimension widget appears at the specified entity. Hovering the pointer over one side or quadrant of the widget displays a preview of the dimension on the corresponding side.

  4. Click the widget side of the quadrant to place the dimension.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if necessary.
  6. Press Enter.