Power Dimensioning Dialog Box (AutoCAD Mechanical Toolset)

Use the Power Dimensioning dialog box to set dimension text, specify accuracy for dimension values, or add tolerances and fits to dimensions when the ribbon is turned off. You can force the display of this dialog box even if the ribbon is ON by setting the AMPOWERDIMEDITOR system variable to 0.

Note: This dialog box reacts to the CMDDIA system variable. As such this dialog box does not display if the CMDDIA system variable is set to 0.

Expands the dialog box so you can specify fit values.

This button is not visible if the dimension is based on the ANSI standard.

Expands the dialog box so you can specify fit values.

This button is visible only if the dimension is based on the ANSI standard.

 

Fit

   

Symbol

Specifies the fit symbol. Click the button to display the Fits dialog box, enabling you to pick the symbol and the deviation from a list. These options are visible only if you expand the dialog box using the or buttons.

   

Hole

Specifies the symbol to use for the hole tolerance, in a stacked fit representation. Click the button to display the Fits dialog box, enabling you to pick the symbol and the deviation from a list.

This option is visible only for stacked fit representations.

   

Shaft

Specifies the symbol to use for the shaft tolerance, in a stacked fit representation. Click the button to display the Fits dialog box, enabling you to pick the symbol and the deviation from a list.

This option is visible only for stacked fit representations.

 

Precision

   

Primary

Specifies the number of decimals for the primary unit. This option is visible only if you expand the dialog box using the or buttons.

   

Alternate

Specifies the number of decimals for the alternate unit. This option is visible only if you expand the dialog box using the or buttons. It is available only if you select Alternate units.

Expands the dialog box so you can specify settings for the tolerance.

 

Deviation

Specifies the maximum and minimum tolerance value for the dimension.

   

Upper

Specifies the difference between the nominal dimension value and the maximum limit. This option is visible only if you expand the dialog box using the button.

   

Lower

Specifies the difference between the nominal dimension value and the minimum limit. This option is visible only if you expand the dialog box using the button.

 

Precision

Specifies the number of decimals for the tolerance value.

   

Primary

Specifies the number of decimals for the primary unit. This option is visible only if you expand the dialog box using the button.

   

Alternate

Specifies the number of decimals for the alternate unit. This option is visible only if you expand the dialog box using the button. It is available only if you select Alternate units.

 

Preview

Displays a preview of the fit or tolerance. Click the preview to change the tolerance or fit representation.

General tab

 

Dimension Symbol

Displays a graphical representation of the current dimension text. Click the button to the right of this box to select dimension text and special characters from predefined templates.

   

Displays dimension values in both inches and millimeters. The alternate units appear between square brackets.

   

Underlines the dimension value to indicate that the dimension is not to scale.

   

Draws a box around the dimension value to indicate that it is a theoretically exact dimension.

   

Draws a box around the dimension value to indicate that it is an inspection dimension.

   

Draws parenthesis around the dimension value to indicate that it is a reference dimension.

 

Text

   

Specifies that the dimension value must appear as part of the dimension text.

   

Displays a palette of special characters to add to dimension text.

 

Value

   

Exact Distance

Displays the actual value for the current dimension.

   

Precision

Specifies the number of decimals for the dimension value.

 

Properties

   

Apply to

Applies the properties of the current dimension to other dimensions. The dialog box hides enabling you to select the dimensions to apply the properties to. Thereafter the Select Properties to Copy dialog box appears enabling you to specify which properties.

   

Copy from

Imports the properties from another existing dimension. The dialog box hides enabling you to select the dimensions to copy the properties from. Thereafter the Select Properties to Copy dialog box appears enabling you to specify which properties.

Inspection tab

 

Shape

Controls the shape of the frame drawn around the label, dimension value, and inspection rate of the inspection dimension.

   

Round

Creates a frame with semi-circles on the ends. Vertical lines separate fields within the frame.

   

Angular

Creates a frame with lines that form a 90-degree angle on the ends. Vertical lines separate fields within the frame.

   

None

Draws no frame around the values. Does not separate fields with vertical lines

   

Graphic showing extension lines and arrowheads

Controls the dimension text, arrowheads, extension lines, and force line inside options. Move the pointer over the graphic to display tooltips. Click arrowheads to display a pallet of options.

 

Label/Inspection Rate

Controls the settings for the inspection dimension. Optionally shows a label and rate as part of the inspection dimension. You can control the label and rate fields individually, so it is not necessary to display both.

   

Label

Toggles the display of the label field on/off in the inspection dimension.

   

Label Value

Enables you to enter the label used to identify individual inspection dimensions. The label appears in the leftmost section of the inspection dimension when you select the Label check box.

   

Inspection Rate

Toggles the display of the rate field on/off in the inspection dimension.

   

Inspection Rate Value

Enables you to enter the rate used to indicate the frequency with which the part is inspected. The value is expressed as a percentage, and the valid range is 0 - 100. The inspection rate appears in the rightmost section of the inspection dimension when you select the Inspection Rate check box.

Geometry tab

 

Text offset from dimension line

Sets the size of the gap between the text and the dimension line.

 

Center mark size

Sets the size of the center mark. This option is visible only if you are setting options for a radius or diameter dimension. This option is not available by default. To make this option available, click the Center mark in the graphic showing the elements of a circle.

 

Graphic showing extension lines and arrowheads

Controls the dimension text, arrowheads, extension lines, and force line inside options. Click the appropriate place in the graphic to customize that element. For example, click an arrowhead to display a palette of options. A tooltip shows the name of the element that can be controlled as you move the pointer over the elements of the graphic.

Units tab

 

Primary

Sets options for primary units

   

Units

Sets a unit type for dimensioning.

   

Linear Scale

Sets a scale factor that multiplies the dimension value.

   

Round Off

Sets a value for rounding off all dimensioning distances.

 

Alternate

Sets options for alternate units. These options are available only if you select Alternate units in the General tab.

   

Precision

Sets the number of decimal places for alternate units