Arc length dimension
Purpose
Dimensions the length of an arc (radius × arc angle) with a concentric dimension arc outside the arc. The text carries the arc symbol ⌒. The radius dimension of the arc is still created by the Dimension command; there the radius has priority.
Access
- Ribbon: group Annotate, list of the split button Dimension, entry Arc length Arc length dimension (5 in the picture at Dimension).
- Classic toolbar: list of the split button Dimension, entry Arc length dimension.
- Command search : type Arc length.
As with the dimension tool the snap switches to automatic. The instruction field shows only the identifier dimArc for this tool.
Procedure
- Click the arc. If the click hits no arc, the status bar reports Arc length dimension: please click an arc.
- Pull the dimension arc outwards (Position the dimension arc outwards and click…). The distance of the pointer from the centre is the radius of the dimension arc; it cannot come closer than the arc itself. The position of the text along the dimension arc follows the pointer.
- Click (Arc length dimension placed). The tool stays active for the next arc.
Arcs in a viewport can be dimensioned the same way; the dimension shows the world value.
Options
The arc length dimension is a pure measuring dimension: driven, without switching to driving. Prefix, suffix, tolerance, decimal places and arrows are changed in the Edit dimension dialog; font and arrow sizes in the attribute panel. The arrowhead on the dimension arc is curved and follows the same arrow sizes as straight arrows.
Keys
| Key | Effect |
|---|---|
| Esc | Discard the selection, end the tool |
| Double-click the dimension | Edit dimension |
| Del | Delete the selected dimension |
The command has no shortcut key.
Related commands
- Dimension Dimension — radius and diameter dimension
- Measure — read the arc length without creating a dimension