arc length as a dimension

[bobtesko]

when dimensioning an arc you get the radius or diameter and you can see the arc length in the OIP, but how do you get the arc length as a dimension on the drawing, I get this on ACad drawings from my customers, but can't figure out how to do it.

[Travis]

As far as I know, there is no Length of Arc (LoA) dimension functionality. I've always handled it by placing a Callout, but it would be convenient to have a dimension option.

[mike m oz]

You can fudge it:

- Select the arc and take note of its arc length

- Duplicate the arc in place

- Increase the radius

- turn the arc into a dimension using the change to dimension selection on the attribute pallette line pop-up. (This will show the arc in degrees)

- On the OIP untick the box Show Dim. Value

- Type in the arc length in either the Leader or Trailer field.

I know its not perfect, - it would be better if there was this dimension option available

[Travis]

Mike,

What a great workaround. Good thing I don't need to dim LoA's very often!

Thanks

[bobtesko]

thank you, it works

[jfmarch]

i cannot find that command in my attributes pallette. the only line pop up i get is for changing the line thickness. can you give a more defined location for it?

[bobtesko]

go to the attributes pallet, select the line with the ------XX------.. this changes it to a dimension

[mike m oz]

Jim

On the Attribute Pallete you will find a line with XX in the middle of it. (It is located below the Line Thickness choices and above the Line Type choices.)

If you select a line or arc and then go to the Attribute Pallette and select this Line Type it will convert the line or arc into dimensions. It works on multiple selections as well.

Unfortunately you cannot select this line type to draw with - that would be a nice option.

[islandmon]

Surveyors use the arc length dimension as a function of the radius and the arc angle as they apply to a closure of a land survey. In this specific instance the Call-out is conventional.

When using the arc length for construction dimensions it is essential to also include the chord length and chord distance as an 'in field' checksum. Arc Length by itself is a very loose dimension.