Adding text to a dimension

[CiaMariaPia]

Is it possible to add simple text to a dimension on a dimension string, with or without affecting the accuracy or placement of the dimension? 

For example: 

• Add +/- at the end of a dimension to indicate some field variance is expected.
• Add "New" or "Existing" or "Verify in Field" to indicate that a condition of task associated with the dimension.

 

Thank you

[Pat Stanford]

In the Object Info Palette (OIP) you have fields for Leader, Trailer, and Notes. There is also a pull down menu for Tolerance.

You can use these fields to add the text you are looking at adding.

 

Leader is in line with the primary dim in front of the dim. Trailer is in line with the primary dim behind the dim. Notes is on a separate line below the primary Dim.

[Benson Shaw]

What Pat said ^

 

Plus, if working with a string or chain dimension, right click any individual dimension within the chain, and in the context menu select "Edit Dimension".  In the edit dialog, add or adjust text or values in the Leader, Trailer, or Notes fields (or any of the other fields). This action only affects the individual dimension.

 

If the chain is selected (identified as a Dimension object in OIP), any change to the Leader, Trailer, or Notes fields appends that new info to every dimension in the chain.  This action would overwrite any previous edits to same field in individual dimensions in the chain.

 

-B 

Edited May 20, 2019 by Benson Shaw
clarity?

[mjm]

49 minutes ago, Benson Shaw said:

What Pat said ^

 

Plus, if working with a string or chain dimension, right click any individual dimension within the chain, and in the context menu select "Edit Dimension".  In the edit dialog, add or adjust text or values in the Leader, Trailer, or Notes fields (or any of the other fields). This action only affects the individual dimension.

 

If the chain is selected (identified as a Dimension object in OIP), any change to the Leader, Trailer, or Notes fields appends that new info to every dimension in the chain.  This action would overwrite any previous edits to same field in individual dimensions in the chain.

 

-B 

Thing I've found when working with the Leader/Trailer fields is to add an appropriate "space" after/before the text you insert, so the text does not run up against the dimension

[CiaMariaPia]

Thank you all ... both for the tips and for helping me see that there's a difference between a simple dimension or dimension string and a dimension that's part of a Grid Bubble string.  I realized from your comments that the Grid Bubble dimension doesn't act the way a regular dimension does in this respect.  I'll plan more carefully the next time.

Thanks again.

[Flair-Studio]

Is it possible in certain instances to hide the numeric part altogether and keep just the notes? 

 

I.e. it would be good to be able to hide the text of the last dimension of a dim chain and just write 'TO FIT"

thanks

[michaelk]

In the OIP of the dimension object there is a checkbox for Show Dim Value.  Uncheck that and add your note to the note, leader, or trailer fields.

[skipper]

And,,, "leader" and "trailer" only work together if "both" is selected for text "dual view" of units. (??) And,, when "both" is selected the trailer and leader only show in front or behind the "secondary units" and no trailer and leader for primary sitting innocently above secondary. But only if the dimension was first placed with "secondary only" selection then changed. Seems like some code got stepped on in the writing process and never corrected.

[Jonathan Pickup]

That's not how it works for me. I have a single dimension,  primary units, leader in the front, trailer at the end, and a note underneath.

 

[skipper]

 Hey Jonathan thanks for reply.

Below are examples of my problem. The 2nd one is same as 1st but "show dim text" turned off.

 

Example 1

 

 

Example 2

 

 

 

 

Example 3

 

 

 

 

Example 4

 

[line-weight]

I've not used "dual view" dimensions before but I can reproduce what @skipper sees.

 

Trailer text does not show up when dual view = secondary only, unless you untick "show dim value".

 

[cberg]

We need to be able to add a note to one field of a chain dimension without it affecting the rest of the chain...   This seems very unsophisticated...  And probably easy to implement. 

 

[cberg]

A coda to the comment above.  Vectorworks is so strange sometimes.  I found a workaround...  

 

So I discovered that if you decompose a chain dimension it will create a series of individual dimensions. You can then edit the note field of the individual dimensions.  Once complete, compose the dimension and VW creates a chain dimension with notes in certain fields, but not others.

 

Who would have ever guessed...

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2024 by cberg

[Andy Broomell]

If you already have a chain dimension, you can right click on one of the dimensions and choose "Edit Dimension." Then in the pop-up window that looks like the OIP, you can type in a Note and have it affect only the dimension you right clicked on. This approach can also be used for Precision and other properties.

[Kevin McAllister]

32 minutes ago, Andy Broomell said:

If you already have a chain dimension, you can right click on one of the dimensions and choose "Edit Dimension." Then in the pop-up window that looks like the OIP, you can type in a Note and have it affect only the dimension you right clicked on. This approach can also be used for Precision and other properties.

Oooooh, I just learned something. I needed it only ten minutes ago 😊

Kevin

 

[bcd]

On 5/20/2019 at 3:32 PM, Benson Shaw said:

What Pat said ^

 

Plus, if working with a string or chain dimension, right click any individual dimension within the chain, and in the context menu select "Edit Dimension".  In the edit dialog, add or adjust text or values in the Leader, Trailer, or Notes fields (or any of the other fields). This action only affects the individual dimension.

 

If the chain is selected (identified as a Dimension object in OIP), any change to the Leader, Trailer, or Notes fields appends that new info to every dimension in the chain.  This action would overwrite any previous edits to same field in individual dimensions in the chain.

 

-B 

This is very useful too for those individual Leader Lines for the small dimensions in a chain.

[cberg]

Ahh. I right-clicked and hit "edit"... I needed to right-click and select "edit dimension" for this to work...  Thank you

 

Edited February 21, 2024 by cberg

[Tom W.]

Ooo you can also make the text smaller for individual dims in a chain dimension if you need to

[bcd]

It's a very hidden functionality - It would be 1000% better if it were pre-highlighted in the Contextual Menu -  rather than whatever random command is in the position of your cursor at that particular zoom level.

 

Copy, Create Objects from Shapes, Send to Surface .....

 

 

 

 

[Kevin McAllister]

So much good information here. I wonder if NV should make a tech tip on this! Or maybe one exists @JuanP?

Kevin

 

[CiaMariaPia]

Rather than using the "Leader", "Trailer" and "Note" modifiers in the OIP, is it possible to create a multi-line "Note" for a longer note so that the text stays between the witness line?

Edited October 18, 2024 by CiaMariaPia

[Pat Stanford]

I think the note is limited to 31 characters, so it will not work for long text.

 

On Mac you can use Option-Return to include a line break as part of the 31 chars.

[E|FA]

1 hour ago, Pat Stanford said:

On Mac you can use Option-Return to include a line break

I just tried it out and it adds a line break in the OIP, but not on the dimension itself.  Am I missing something?  I'd love to be able to use this.

[Tom W.]

Just now, E|FA said:

I just tried it out and it adds a line break in the OIP, but not on the dimension itself.  Am I missing something?  I'd love to be able to use this.

 

I think you might need to reduce the overall amount of characters. I haven't counted but think it is less than 31 

[Tom W.]

Actually it seems to be 30 - it looked less than that!