Automatically Arranging Dimensions

The ArrangeDimensions command automatically positions specified associative dimensions that are enclosed within Dimension Bounding Boxes.

When you use ArrangeDimensions, the dimensions are:
  • Spaced from smallest to largest
  • Aligned, if possible
  • Spaced with the offset distances defined in Options

Dimension text centers between extension lines, unless it does not fit between extension lines.

For these features, see Examples of Automatically Arranging Dimensions.

ArrangeDimensions works with linear, radial, diameter, angular, and arc length dimensions. The dimensions you specify must be associative. ArrangeDimensions does not support ordinate dimensions or annotations such as Leaders, SmartLeaders, Tolerances, Notes, or SimpleNotes.

You can change the offset distances between the dimension lines of automatically arranged dimensions and the geometry by using the thumbwheel in the Dimension palette.

To set the offset distances for automatically arranged dimensions, see Auto Arranging Dimensions Offset Settings. To set the Dimension palette thumbwheel increment, see Using the Thumbwheel for Offset Spacing.

The drawing must include at least one Dimension Bounding Box. Use the DimensionBoundingBox command to enclose geometry in Dimension Bounding Boxes. To enable Dimension Bounding Boxes, see Dimension BoundingBoxesSettings.

To automatically arrange dimensions:

  1. In the graphics area, specify dimensions enclosed within one or more Dimension Bounding Boxes.
  2. Hover over the Dimension Palette rollover button to display the dimension palette.
  3. Click Auto Arrange Dimensions .
The dimensions are arranged automatically.
Access

Command: ArrangeDimensions

Menu: Dimension > Auto Arrange Dimensions

Ribbon: Annotate > Dimensions > Auto Arrange