To Work with Linear Dimensions

Create linear dimensions with horizontal, vertical, and aligned dimension lines. Create baseline or chained dimensions. Place dimension lines at an angle to the extension lines, or make extension lines oblique.

Create Horizontal, Vertical, or Aligned Dimensions

  1. Click Drafting tab > Dimension panel > Dimension.
  2. Select a line or specify the first and second extension line origin points.
  3. Move your pointing device to the desired position and orientation of the dimension.
  4. Before specifying the dimension line location, you can edit or rotate the text.
  5. Click to place the dimension line.
  6. Repeat steps to continue dimensioning or press Enter to end dimensioning.

Create a Rotated Dimension

  1. Click Drafting tab > Dimension panel > Dimension drop-down > Linear.
  2. Press Enter to select the object to dimension or specify the first and second extension line origins.
  3. Enter r (Rotated), and then enter the rotation angle of the dimension.
  4. Specify the dimension line location.

Create a Continued or Chain Dimension

  1. Click Drafting tab > Dimension panel > Continue and Base Dimension drop-down > Continue.
  2. Use object snaps to specify additional extension line origins.
  3. Press Enter twice to end the command.

Create a Baseline Dimension

  1. Click Drafting tab > Dimension panel > Continue and Base Dimension drop-down > Baseline.

    By default, the origin of the last linear or angular dimension created is used as the first extension line for the new baseline dimension. You are prompted for the second dimension line.

  2. Use an object snap to select the second extension line origin, or press Enter to select any dimension as the base dimension.

    The second dimension line is automatically located at the distance specified by the Baseline Spacing option in the Dimension Style Manager, Lines tab.

  3. Use an object snap to specify the next extension line origin.
  4. Continue to select extension line origins as needed.
  5. Press Enter twice to end the command.

Use Oblique Extension Lines

  1. Click Drafting tab > Dimension panel > Dimension Text Edit drop-down > Oblique.
  2. Select the dimension.
  3. Enter a value for the angle of obliqueness, or specify two points.