Dimensions can be associative,
nonassociative, or exploded. Associative dimensions adjust to changes
in the geometric objects that they measure.
Dimension
associativity defines the relationship between geometric objects and
the dimensions that give their distance and angles. There are three
types of associativity between geometric objects and dimensions.
- Associative dimensions. Automatically
adjust their locations, orientations, and measurement values when
the geometric objects associated with them are modified. Dimensions
in a layout may be associated to objects in model space. The DIMASSOC system variable
is set to 2.
- Nonassociative
dimensions. Selected and modified with the
geometry they measure. Nonassociative dimensions do not change when
the geometric objects they measure are modified. The dimension variable
DIMASSOC is set to 1.
- Exploded
dimensions. Contain a collection of separate
objects rather than a single dimension object. The DIMASSOC system
variable is set to 0.
You can determine whether a dimension is associative
or nonassociative by selecting the dimension and doing one of the
following:
- Use the Properties palette to display
the properties of the dimension.
- Use the LIST command to display
the properties of the dimension.
You
can also use the Quick Select dialog box to filter the selection
of associative or nonassociative dimensions. A dimension is considered
associative even if only one end of the dimension is associated
with a geometric object. The DIMREASSOCIATE command displays
the associative and nonassociative elements of a dimension.
Special Situations and
Limitations
You
may need to use DIMREGEN to update associative
dimensions after panning or zooming with a wheel mouse, after opening
a drawing that was modified with an earlier release, or after opening
a drawing with external references that have been modified.
Although
associative dimensions support most object types that you would expect
to dimension, they do not support the following:
- Hatches
- Multiline objects
- 2D solids
- Objects with nonzero thickness
- Images
- DWF underlays
When selecting objects to dimension, make sure
that the objects that you select don't include a directly overlapping
object that does not support associative dimensioning such as a
2D solid.
Associativity
is not maintained between a dimension
and a block reference if the block is redefined.
Associativity is not maintained between a dimension
and a 3D solid if the shape of the 3D solid is modified.
Dimensions
created with QDIM are not associative
but may be associated individually with DIMREASSOCIATE.
For information about working with associative
dimensions in combination with previous releases, see Save Drawings to Previous Drawing File Formats.
To change the dimension
associativity default
-
- In the Options dialog box, User Preferences
tab, under Associative Dimensioning, select or clear Make New Dimensions
Associative.
- Do either or both of the following:
- Click Apply to record the current Options
settings in the system registry.
- Click OK to record the current Options
settings in the system registry and close the Options dialog box.
All subsequently created dimensions in the drawing
use the new setting. Unlike most other option settings, dimension
associativity is saved in the drawing file rather than in the system
registry.
CommandsDIMDISASSOCIATE
Removes associativity
from selected dimensions.
DIMREASSOCIATE
Associates or reassociates
selected dimensions to objects or points on objects.
DIMREGEN
Updates the locations
of all associative dimensions.
EXPLODE
Breaks a compound object
into its component objects.
LIST
Displays property data
for selected objects.
OPTIONS
Customizes the program
settings.
System VariablesDIMASSOC
Controls the associativity
of dimension objects and whether dimensions are exploded.
