Dimension
Add horizontal, vertical, shortest distance, angular, diametrical, arc length, or radial dimensions to sketch geometry, as well as between sketch geometry and planes. You are able to specify dimensions as driven (reference) or driving.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Shortcut: d
In the Sketch toolbar:
Add horizontal, vertical, shortest distance, angular, diametrical, arc length, or radial dimensions to sketch geometry and between sketch geometry and planes. You can specify dimensions as driven (reference) or driving.
You have the ability to use the Measure tool to measure anything in the graphics area.
Some tools allow you to dimension as you sketch.
You can also use the Show dimensions command in the context menu (RMB) of a sketch to view existing dimensions.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
![Video example icon](Resources/Images/icons/help-video@2x.png)
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
The Dimension sketch tool allows you to add horizontal, vertical, shortest distance, angular, diametrical, arc length, or radial dimensions to sketch geometry, as well as between sketch geometry and planes. You are able to specify dimensions as driven (reference) or driving.
To create a length or height distance, click the Dimension tool. Then click the edge of a sketch entity, and move the mouse away from the entity. Click again and the dimension box opens. Enter a length or height value on your keyboard or keep the current value. Press Enter to accept the dimension.
To create a linear distance, click the edge of the first line, and then the edge of the second line.
To create a diagonal distance, click the two corners along the diagonal.
To create a diameter dimension for a circle, click the circumference of a circle.
To create an angle dimension between two lines, click the two lines. Move the mouse into the angle to visualize the inside angle. Move the mouse outward to visualize each outer angle by quadrant.
To create a radial dimension for an arc, click the edge of the arc.
To create an arc length dimension for an arc, click the two end points of the arc and then the arc curve.
For arcs and angled lines, you can create a direct distance or linear distance dimension as you move the mouse. For example, select the two end points of an arc. Move the mouse at an angle away from the curve to obtain the shortest distance between the two points. This creates a direct distance dimension. Alternatively, move the mouse straight up or down, or side to side to create a linear distance from point to point.
You can also enter negative dimension values to flip sketch entities. For example, enter a negative value for the horizontal edge of a rectangle, and the rectangle flips direction.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
or press the D key.
- Select the entity (or entities between which) to dimension and the location of the dimension.
The dialog opens on the placement of the dimension.
- Enter a value and press Enter to accept the value. You can also use a variable for a dimension, simply enter "=#" and the variable name, as in: =#d.
Note that you can enter negative values for dimensions (length, linear distance, and angles), thereby flipping the direction of the entity.
The image below illustrates a positive dimension, notice the position of the rectangle in relation to the horizontal line:
The following image illustrates a negative dimension value in the dialog:
When the dialog is accepted, the rectangle flips direction based on the negative dimension value:
You can use expressions and trigonometric functions in numeric fields in Part Studios.
Delete a dimension by selecting it and pressing the Delete key, or select it and select Delete from the context menu.
To edit a placed dimension, double-click the value to activate the field, then enter the new value. Press Enter to accept the change.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
- Click a line to dimension one line, or two lines to dimension the distance between them.
When dimensioning between two lines, note that this will imply parallelism without a visual parallel constraint.
- Drag to visualize the dimension.
- Click again to access the numeric value field.
- Type value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
- Click corner points diagonal to each other.
- Drag to visualize the dimension.
- Click again to access the numeric value field.
- Type value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
- Click the edge of the circle.
- Drag cursor into or away from the circle.
- Click to activate numeric value field.
- Type value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
- Click each line.
- Move cursor into angle.
- Click to activate numeric value field.
- Type value and press Enter.
You are also able to drag the label to the quadrant for which you want to define the angle:
Direct distance
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Click
.
- Click each endpoint of the lines.
- Move cursor away at an angle to get shortest distance between the points.
Linear distance
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Click
.
- Click each endpoint of the lines.
- Move cursor straight up for linear distance.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
- Click the edge of the arc.
- Move cursor into or away from arc.
- Click to enter numeric value field.
- Type value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
- Click each arc endpoint.
- Move cursor to arc line.
- When arc line is highlighted, click to activate numeric value field.
- Type value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
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Click
.
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Click a spline point.
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Click any other sketch point (including another spline point).
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Move cursor to position the dimension.
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Type a value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Create a centerline dimension between a circle, point, or non-construction line to a construction line; for instance, to dimension a part for a revolve operation. Start a distance dimension between one of these sketch entities and then move the mouse to the opposite side of the construction line. Moving the mouse across the construction line toggles the state between distance and centerline dimensions:
- Start the dimension between the entity and the construction line, resulting in a distance dimension:
- Move the mouse to the opposite side of the construction line to toggle the state to a centerline dimension.
- Enter the value and press Enter.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Driven dimensions are useful for maintaining design intent, such as keeping a clearance or wall thickness above a certain value.
- Dimensions are driving by default. Right-click on a dimension value to select "Driving/Driven" from the context menu.
- Driving dimensions appear black and can be edited.
- Driven dimensions appear light gray and cannot be edited (Toggle it to 'driving' and then edit, if necessary.)
- When a dimension added to a sketch over-defines the sketch, the dimension is automatically made 'driven'.
- You are able to add driven dimensions anywhere a driving dimension can be added.
- Driven dimensions reflect the value of the implied dimension; it does not change geometry.
- When a dimension is switched from driven to driving, it changes the geometry; if changing a driven dimension to driving causes the sketch to be over-constrained, red indicators appear as usual.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Onshape allows users to enter negative values for some dimensions but not all. See below for which dimensions accept negative values.
Onshape allows negative values for:- Distance dimension
- Angle dimension
- Line length
- Spline dimension
- Arc dimension
- Radius or diameter dimension
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap Dimension tool.
- Select the entity (or entities) between which to dimension, and the location of the dimension.
The dialog opens on the placement of the dimension.
- Enter a value and select the checkmark to accept the value.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a corner point.
- Tap to select the opposite corner point.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a vertical or horizontal line.
- The current value of the length or height appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select the edge of circle.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a line.
- Tap to select another line.
- The current value of the angle between the two lines appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
Linear distance / direct distance
- Tap to select a point.
- Tap to select another point.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap the edge of an arc to select it.
- The current value of the radius appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Arc length
- Tap to select both points of an arc.
- Tap on the curve of the arc to select it.
- The arc length value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
Spline curve length
- Tap a spline to select it.
- The curve length value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a point.
- Tap to select a plane.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Create a centerline dimension between a circle, point, or non-construction line to a construction line; for instance, to dimension a part for a revolve operation.
- Tap to select the point to dimension.
- Tap to select the construction line to create as the centerline.
A dimension is set between the point and the construction line.
- Touch and drag the dimension across the construction line.
Once the dimension crosses the construction line, the construction line becomes the centerline and the dimension adjusts accordingly.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Driven dimensions are useful for maintaining design intent, such as keeping a clearance or wall thickness above a certain value.
- Dimensions are driving by default. Tap to select a dimension, then two-finger tap to bring up the context menu. In the context menu you can tap to Toggle Driven/Driving dimensions.
- Driving dimensions appear black and can be edited.
- Driven dimensions appear light gray and are not able to be edited (toggle a driven dimension to driving and then edit, if necessary).
- When a dimension added to a sketch over-defines the sketch, the dimension is automatically made 'driven'.
- You are able to add driven dimensions anywhere a driving dimension can be added.
- Driven dimensions reflect the value of the implied dimensions; it does not change geometry.
- When a dimension is switched from driven to driving, it changes the geometry; if changing a driven dimension to driving causes the sketch to be over-constrained, red indicators appear as usual.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Onshape allows users to enter negative values for some dimensions but not all. See below for which dimensions accept negative values.
iOS allows negative values for:
- Distance dimension
- Angle dimension
- Line length
iOS does not allow negative values for:
- Arc dimension
- Spline dimension
- Radius or Diameter dimension
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap Dimension tool.
- Select the entity (or entities) between which to dimension, and the location of the dimension.
The dialog opens on the placement of the dimension.
- Enter a value and select the checkmark to accept the value.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a corner point.
- Tap to select the opposite corner point.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a vertical or horizontal line.
- The current value of the length or height appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select the edge of circle.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a line.
- Tap to select another line.
- The current value of the angle between the two lines appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
Linear distance / direct distance
- Tap to select a point.
- Tap to select another point.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap the edge of an arc to select it.
- The current value of the radius appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Arc length
- Tap to select both points of an arc.
- Tap on the curve of the arc to select it.
- The arc length value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
Spline curve length
- Tap a spline to select it.
- The curve length value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Tap to select a point.
- Tap to select a plane.
- The current value appears, tap on it to open the number pad.
- Use the number pad to enter a dimension.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Create a centerline dimension between a circle, point, or non-construction line to a construction line; for instance, to dimension a part for a revolve operation.
- Tap to select the point to dimension.
- Tap to select the construction line to create as the centerline.
A dimension is set between the point and the construction line.
- Touch and drag the dimension across the construction line.
Once the dimension crosses the construction line, the construction line becomes the centerline and the dimension adjusts accordingly.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
- Driven dimensions are useful for maintaining design intent, such as keeping a clearance or wall thickness above a certain value.
- Dimensions are driving by default. Double tap a dimension to open the Number pad, then tap the Driven/Driving button to switch the dimension type. The button says what type of dimension you have selected. Tap the button to switch to the opposite type of dimension.
- Driving dimensions appear black and can be edited.
- Driven dimensions appear light gray and are able to be edited (toggle a driven dimension to driving and then edit, if necessary).
- When a dimension added to a sketch over-defines the sketch, the dimension is automatically made 'driven'.
- You are able to add driven dimensions anywhere a driving dimension can be added.
- Driven dimensions reflect the value of the implied dimensions; it does not change geometry.
- When a dimension is switched from driven to driving, it changes the geometry; if changing a driven dimension to driving causes the sketch to be over-constrained, red indicators appear as usual.
![Closed](../Skins/Default/Stylesheets/Images/transparent.gif)
Onshape allows users to enter negative values for some dimensions but not all. See below for which dimensions accept negative values.
Android allows negative values for:
- Distance dimension
- Angle dimension
- Line length
- Spline dimension
Android does not allow negative values for:
- Arc dimension
- Radius or Diameter dimension