Dimensioning Tools - Structure (3-D)

You can use the following functions to edit dimensioning structures such as chain dimensions or parallel dimensions:

• Refine structure
• Convert structure
• Structure start value

Refine structure

3-D Dimensioning + Text > Tools > Extras > Refine structure

You use this function to insert sub-dimensions into existing dimensioning structures like chain dimensions, parallel dimensions or running dimensions.

1. Identify the dimension whose structure you want to refine.
2. Specify the new dimensioning points.

Refined chain dimension

Convert structure

3-D Dimensioning+ Text > Tools > Extras > Convert structure

Use this function to convert linear dimension structures, e.g. chain dimensions, into parallel dimensions or coordinate dimensions to running dimensions etc.

1. Identify a dimension of the desired structure.
2. Select the structure type for the conversion.

When converting dimension structures, the dimension line termination symbols remain unchanged if possible. In cases where the new dimension structure type does not support the termination symbol, the default setting will be applied to the new dimension structure type. These are the symbols selected in the Dimension line termination tab. If, for example, a dimension structure of the type "Height above datum"with the termination symbol arrow, half filled is converted into a chain dimension structure, the symbol specified for distance dimensions in the Dimension line terminations tab will be used.

Structure start value 

3-D Dimensioning + Text > Tools > Extras > Structure start value

You can use an initial value other than 0 (i.e. an allowance value) for running dimensions, coordinate dimensions and heights above datum.

1. Identify the dimension of the structure, the start value of which you want to change.
2. Change the start value.

• If the selected dimension is a height above datum created with the Heights above datum, parallel to Z-axis function, HiCAD asks you whether you want to apply the specified allowance to all Z-heights above datum of the drawing.

If you select Yes, the allowance will be used for all dimensionings of this type in the drawing, i.e. for already existing dimensions as well as for subsequently created dimensions. If you select No, only the identified dimension will be changed.

In practice, the application of specified allowances to all heights above datum in a drawing (option Yes) would typically occur in the field of architecture: If identical buildings or building units are constructed at different heights, the corresponding drawings are identical, except for their heights above datum. By automatically adjusting the allowances, manual changes of the heights above datum can be avoided.

• For all other permissible dimensions, no query will be issued - the dimensions will be changed immediately.

3. Left-click to end the function.

If you have called the function via the context menu (right-click dimension) no query will be issued after identification of the dimension.

Dimensioning Tools (3-D) • General Notes on Dimensioning (3-D)