Dimensions and Performance

[bmike]

I've been using SketchUp to detail out various timber components and notice a huge lag in performance once I start placing dimensions. I've set the dimensions to be a particular height in the model, based on view and detail size.

Is there an optimal font or procedure for streamlining this?
Should I not be setting the dims to a particular measurement?

I'm expecting a new machine any day... but I can go from working in a relatively smooth model to grinding to pan and zoom - even after just a few dimensions. And forget about working in x-ray mode.

-Mike

[Dave R]

Are you saying you're setting dimension display to measured heights as opposed to point size? Try setting the fonts to point size instead. I find that point sizes of 8 to 10 usually work find although for a workbench plan I've been working on I've been using 6pt with a sans serif font. It seems to be easily readable. the problem I see is that if you make the font small, 6 pt or smaller, it becomes difficult to read on the screen. On the other hand, if it is too big, smaller dimesions run over the extension lines and are hard to read in the printed format.

[Wo3Dan]

@dave r said:

.......On the other hand, if it is too big, smaller dimesions run over the extension lines and are hard to read in the printed format.

Dave,
In that case you might want to replace the dimension text by <>\n or even <>\n\n
The dimension value will stil be updated when moving (one of the) associated endpoints.
In fact for textual clarification you may want to use blabla\ntext<>blablatext\netc.

Diameter value for instance can also be replaced by:
outer diam.= ****<>\n****etc.

\n means one extra line spacing.
<> means SU will replace and from now on update values again.

Wo3Dan

[Dave R]

Thanks for that tidbit. That'll get the dimension above the arrows. One could also type \n<> or \n\n<> to put the dimension on the other side of the arrows. I learned about that once but didn't use it and thus forgot. thanks for the reminder.