Chain dimension
Purpose
Places a series of point-to-point dimensions in which every dimension starts at the endpoint of the previous one — all on one dimension line. The chain is a unit: it is moved together, holds together at shared points and can show running totals from the zero point. Connections: Chain and baseline dimensions.
Access
- Ribbon: group Annotate, list of the split button Dimension, entry Chain dim. Chain dimension (3 in the picture at Dimension).
- Classic toolbar: list of the split button Dimension, entry Chain dimension.
- Command search : type Chain dimension.
The chain dimension is a series mode of the dimension tool; the Chain dim. button is marked active, the status bar reads Chain dimension: click 1st point (use snap)….
Procedure
- Click the first point (zero point) with snap.
- Click the second point with snap, then position the dimension line as for a point-to-point dimension and click. Style (horizontal, vertical or oblique) and position now apply to the whole chain.
- Place every further point with one click. The status bar counts: Dimension 2 placed — click next point, ESC finishes. After each click the program reorders the members along the axis; a click back creates no overlap, a point clicked twice no member of length 0.
- Esc ends the series (Dimension series finished).
If the first dimension is oblique, it fixes the orientation angle; all further points are projected onto this axis — points beside the axis also yield members on the same dimension line.
Options
| Option | Where | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chain: running total from zero point | Dimension Settings | Running total at every extension line, rotated 90°; 0 at the zero point (factory on). The numbers can be dragged; a sideways offset kinks the extension line. |
| Insert chain dimension… | Right-click on a member | A click inside a member splits it; a click outside the chain extends it to the point. |
| Chain dim. attributes… | Right-click on a member | Attribute panel for the chain. |
| Dissolve dim. chain | Right-click, or Explode | Members become individual dimensions (Dimension chain dissolved — n individual dimensions). |
Each member is a point-to-point dimension of its own with bound points; the chain follows the geometry.
Keys
| Key | Effect |
|---|---|
| Esc | End the series |
| Q, E, M, S, Z | Snap mode for the points |
| Double-click a member | Edit dimension for this member |
| Ctrl+double-click | Chain dim. attributes |
| Del | Delete the selected members |
The command has no shortcut key.
Related commands
- Baseline dimension Baseline dimension — all dimensions from the same base point
- Dimension Dimension
- Measure — the chain mode measures partial distances and the sum without creating dimensions