DraftSight Dimension Tools: Auto Dimension and Smart Dimension

Article by GoEngineer on Nov 01, 2022

In this quick tip, learn how to quickly add dimensions to your DraftSight drawings using two very helpful tools: Auto Dimension and Smart Dimension.

Auto Dimension

The Auto Dimension tool creates Baseline, Continued, and Ordinate dimensions for your selected entities. 

Before using the Auto Dimension tool, you must create a Bounding Box around your sketch entities. (Figure 1)

Create Bounding Box Icon in DraftSight

Figure 1: From the Annotate toolbar, click on the Create Bounding Box icon

After clicking Create Bounding Box (Figure 1), window-select all entities in the drawing view. This creates a dashed line surrounding the sketch representing the Bounding Box. (See Figure 2)

DraftSight Auto Dimension Tool

Figure 2: Completed Bounding Box, ready for the Auto Dimension tool

After creating the Bounding Box, select the Auto Dimension tool (Figure 2). In the Auto Dimension Tool are three options for Vertical and Horizontal Dimension Schemes: Baseline, Continue, and Ordinate. (Figures 3, 4, & 5)

DraftSight Baseline Dimension Scheme

Figure 3: Baseline Dimension scheme

Baseline Dimension Scheme in DraftSight

Figure 4: Continue dimension scheme, note the layout changes from that of the Baseline version

Ordinate Dimension Scheme in DraftSight

Figure 5: Ordinate Dimension Scheme

Prior to applying the dimension scheme, click Preview to test the Auto Dimension Scheme. In this example, we will select the Ordinate Dimension Scheme (Figure 5). When happy with the selection, click Apply and Close to complete the command.

After applying the dimensions, the Bounding Box is still visible in the model space. 

As you can see in Figure 6, the Bounding Box will not be visible in the Sheet Space or printed drawing.

DraftSight Sheet View

Figure 6: Sheet View – Verifying the Bounding Box is not visible

Smart Dimension

The next tool is the Smart Dimension Tool. The interface is like that of SOLIDWORKS. Click Smart Dimension in the Annotation Tools (Figure 7) and click on the sketch entities. The Smart Dimension tool automatically generates linear, diameter, and radius dimensions. (Figure 8)

Smart Dimension Tool in DraftSight

Figure 7: Location of the Smart Dimension Tool 

Using DraftSight Auto Dimension and Smart Dimension Tools

Figure 8: Easily detail drawings using Smart Dimensions 

Easily Detail your 2D Drawings in DraftSight

Use either the Smart Dimension or Auto Dimension tools to quickly annotate your drawings. While the Auto Dimension tool quickly dimensions your drawing view in a few steps, the Smart Dimension tool gives you the ability to fine-tune the appearance of your dimension scheme.  

I hope you found this DraftSight quick tip helpful. Check out more DraftSight tutorials below.

More DraftSight Tutorials

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DraftSight Quick Access Toolbar Customization Tutorial

How to Transfer DraftSight Settings

DraftSight Enterprise Plus with 3D Modeling

Import XYZ Point Data Into DraftSight

VIEW ALL DRAFTSIGHT TUTORIALS

 

About GoEngineer

GoEngineer delivers software, technology and expertise that enable companies to unlock design innovation and deliver better products faster. With more than 35 years' experience and tens of thousands of customers in high tech, medical, machine design, energy and other industries, GoEngineer provides best-in-class design solutions from SOLIDWORKS CAD, Stratasys 3D printing, Creaform & Artec 3D scanning, CAMWorks, PLM, and more

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