Unconstrained-Line Dimensioning

The Unconstrained Dimension tool can draw dimension lines at any angle. Along with measuring and dimensioning an object, use this tool to calculate the distance between two or more points in the drawing area.

 

Mode	Description
Linear	Creates a dimension line with a single measurement
Chain	Creates a continuous chain of dimension lines
Baseline	Creates a series of connected dimension lines, starting from an initial base point
Chain Dimension Preferences	For Chain mode, specifies whether dimensions are created as a single chain object, or as individual dimension objects

The linear dimension text can be moved along the dimension line. See Modifying Dimensions.

Unconstrained Linear Dimension

The Unconstrained Linear mode creates a dimension line with a single measurement.

 

To create a dimension line with a single measurement:

1.	Click the Unconstrained Dimension tool from the Dims/Notes tool set, and select Unconstrained Linear mode.

2.	Click to set the measurement start point.

3.	Click to end the measurement.

4.	Move the cursor away from the object and click to place the dimension line.

This specifies how far the dimension line is offset from the measured object.

5.	Double-click to exit the dimensioning tool.

Unconstrained Chain Dimension

Unconstrained Chain mode creates a series of connected dimension lines, with each line segment displaying its specific measurements. Use the Chain Dimension preferences option on the Tool bar to set whether to create multiple dimension objects or a single chain object.

When dimensions are part of a chain object, they can all be moved at once, and their attributes and properties can be changed as a group. The properties of dimensions in a chain object also can be edited individually. When dimensions in the chain are modified, the other dimensions adjust automatically. See Modifying Dimensions for more information about editing chain objects.

To create a chain of connected dimension lines:

1.	Click the Unconstrained Dimension tool from the Dims/Notes tool set, and select Unconstrained Chain mode.

2.	Select Chain Dimension Preferences from the Tool bar.

3.	Select either to Use Chain Dimension Objects or to Use Individual Dimensions, and click OK.

4.	Click to set the measurement start point.

5.	Click to end the measurement of the first segment.

6.	Move the cursor away from the line and click to place the dimension line.

This specifies where to draw the dimension line and place the measurements.

7.	Move the cursor to the end of the next segment and click to set its endpoint.

8.	Continue setting segments.

9.	Double-click to end the chain.

Unconstrained Baseline Dimension

Unconstrained Baseline mode creates a series of connected dimension lines, with each line segment measuring the distance from the initial starting point (the base point).

To create a series of baseline dimension lines:

1.	Click the Unconstrained Dimension tool from the Dims/Notes tool set, and select Unconstrained Baseline mode.

2.	Click to set the measurement start point.

3.	Click to end the measurement of the first segment.

4.	Move the cursor away from the line and click to place the dimension line.

This specifies where to draw the dimension line and place the measurements.

5.	Move the cursor to the end of the next segment and click to set its endpoint.

6.	Continue setting segments.

7.	Double-click to end the baseline.