Dimensioning Reference Planes and Lines

The first step to creating family parameters is to place dimensions between the reference planes and lines of the framework to mark the parametric relationships that you intend to create. Dimensions alone do not create the parameters; you must label them to create parameters.

1. Identify the reference planes of the framework that you want to dimension to create parameters.
2. Click Annotate tabDimension panel, and select a dimension type.
3. On the Options Bar, select the desired dimension options.
4. Place the dimensions between reference planes, or on reference lines.
5. To constrain the distance of the dimension, select the dimension if it is not selected, and click the lock symbol.

   The lock works like a toggle, so clicking the symbol will lock or unlock the constraint.

   Tip: It is recommended to constrain all dimensions to ensure that the geometry behaves as designed when the family is flexed.
6. Continue to dimension reference planes until all the parametric relationships have been dimensioned.
   Tip: You may need to open different views in the family to create some of the dimensions.