Dimension styles in drawings

A dimension style is a named group of dimension settings. When you apply a style to an object, the setting determines the format of that object.

The Dimension style uses the Text style as a substyle to format dimension text. You can specify individual text attributes (bold, underline, and so on) when you create or modify a dimension style. Changes to dimension text style update the Text style.

You can also specify a text style for the tolerance portion of the dimension on the Text page. If no specific text style is specified for the tolerance, the text style is used.

Dual dimension units in drawing annotations

You can display the dimension values in both primary and alternate units in the following types of drawing annotations:

• Dimensions
• Hole Notes
• Chamfer Notes
• Bend Notes
• Punch Notes

The dual units display is set on the Alternate Units tab of the dimension style for dimensions and all note types.

Note: If a dual unit format is selected, precision and tolerance values also display in the dual format.

Tip: Dual dimension values can be displayed also in hole, bend, and punch tables. Add the Alternate Units column to the table by using the Column Chooser dialog box.

Overriding dimension styles

You can modify individual dimensions for special annotation purposes.

To override dimension style settings, right-click a dimension, and then choose Options, Precision, Tolerance, or Text. Overrides always supersede the equivalent setting in the dimension style.

Note: If you apply a dimension style to a dimension, any overrides on that dimension are removed.

Reusing customized dimension styles

When you customize the dimension style in a drawing, the changes are saved in that drawing. To make customized styles available in all new drawing files, save the changes in the style library. The style is available to all documents that use the style library.

You may not be able to save changes to the style library if the CAD administrator locked it to prevent unauthorized changes.