Using Auto Dimensioning

To use auto dimensioning:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • On the menu, click Dimension > Auto Dimension.
    • On the ribbon, click Dimension > Annotate > Auto Dimension.
    • Type AutoDimension.
    The Auto Dimension palette appears.
    The software automatically selects the first Dimension Bounding Box that you created in the drawing (even if it is not visible on the screen). To select another Dimension Bounding Box, double-click it. The selected bounding box appears dotted and highlighted.
  2. In the graphics area, specify entities to dimension.
    The software automatically selects all entities enclosed in the Dimension Bounding Box.
  3. In the Auto Dimension palette, do one of the following:
    • Under Horizontal Dimension:
      • In Scheme, select a dimension type: Baseline, Continue, or Ordinate.
      • Click Line 1 to specify a baseline other than the one highlighted in magenta. In the graphics area, specify an entity for the vertical position.
      • Specify the Dimension placement: Above bounding box or Below bounding box.
    • Under Vertical Dimension:
      • In Scheme, select a dimension type: Baseline, Continue, or Ordinate.
      • Click Line 2 to specify a baseline other than the one highlighted in cyan. In the graphics area, specify an entity for the horizontal position.
      • Specify the Dimension placement: Right of bounding box, or Left of bounding box.
    • Under Origin, click Origin to specify the dimension origin within the Dimension Bounding Box, located on an entity. In the graphics area, specify the point. Use an origin instead of horizontal and vertical datums.

  4. Optional: Remove or add entities to the dimension.
    • In Geometry:
      • Click Remove and specify entities to remove from the Dimension Bounding Box. Press Enter to finish entity selection.
      • Click Add and specify entities to include in the Dimension Bounding Box. Press Enter to finish entity selection.

    A summary of the selected entities appears in the list.

    When you select a list item, the corresponding entities highlight in the graphics area.

    To exclude an entity type from dimensioning (for example, exclude diameter dimensions for circles), right-click a list item, and click Delete.

  5. Apply or discard the results of auto dimensioning:
    • Click Preview to preview the result of the settings and selection.

      You can add or remove entities from the selection in the Geometry section of the palette, then preview again.

    • Click Apply to apply auto dimensioning to the specified geometry.

      Double-click another Dimension Bounding Box to auto dimension other geometry.

    • Click Close to exit the palette and the command.

      You might be prompted to specify whether you want to apply auto dimensioning.

    • Click Undo to undo the auto dimensioning you applied.