Distance
Use the Distance dimension to set the distance between two geometric entities. The distance from, or to, an edge is defined using a stationary point for the point-to-point distance along the edge. For example, there are four ways to define the distance between two circles. When you apply it to two straight edges, the distance dimension constrains the edges to be parallel. For a single edge, the distance is applied between the endpoints for the edge.
Add a Distance dimension as follows:
1
Click the Distance () toolbar button.
2
Select two vertices or edges, a vertex and an edge, or an edge.
3
Move the mouse pointer to position the arrow symbol.
4
Click to place the symbol.
5
In the Settings window for Distance edit the value in the Distance text field.
6
Click Build Selected to see the effect of the new distance value.
The Settings window for Distance contains the following sections:
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Geometric Entity Selection: Change the selected entities and their type.
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Dimension Value:
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Enter the distance expression in the Distance text field.
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Toggle the Constrain button to switch between using the dimension as a constraining dimension (, default) or measuring dimension (). The value of a measuring dimension is not imposed as a requirement to the drawing. Instead it is updated according to other dimensions and constraints in the geometry sequence. For more information see Measuring Dimensions.
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Select the Create measuring parameter check box to generate a parameter for the dimension. Edit the name displayed in the Parameter name text field. When in sketch visualization mode, the parameter name is displayed in the dimension’s label in the Graphics window. Use dimension parameters in expressions in geometry and other features as described in Dimension Parameters.
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Help Points: Change the help point coordinates for the selected entities. The help points are used as the initial guess to determine which distance to measure (see Help Points).