Edit the text of a dimension?
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I am testing the Layout (sketchup) and I wonder if it is possible to edit the text of a dimension? Thanks.
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Specifying:
A dimension that should have 4.00 m but the measurement of the object is 3.99 m, it is not possible to edit the text size to 4.00 m that we want? -
First of all, if the dimension is supposed to be 4.00 m, it should be drawn that way and the dimension will display as such. You can edit a dimension to make it say whatever you want, however. If the dimension is place in SketchUp you'll need to edit it in SketchUp. If you placed the dimension in LayOut, you'll edit it there. Just double click on the text with the Select tool and the text box will be opened for editing. then type whatever you want it to say.
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Hi Walterap, hi folks.
If you measure 3.99 m, it means that the object actually measure 3.99 m.
If you want a dimension to show 4.00 m. modify the object first. If, for example, you stretch the object to bring it to the correct dimension of 4.00 m, then, the attached dimension shall now automatically show 4.00 m unless its association with the geometry has been broken.
Doing it the other way, that is editing the dimension text, is, IMHO, sloppy CAD. I saw, many time, AutoCAD users doing just that to save time. Needless to write that, later, when one wants to take a measurement directly on a printed drawing, some errors are inevitable. Now, these days, with very capable CAD softwares, SketchUp included, even if its makers never claim that it is a CAD software, there shall be no excuse of doing sloppy CAD. But, again this is my opinion.
Maybe I am too perfectionnist but I like 2D drawings and 3D models that are precise. Otherwsise, a small error here and another there will eventually add up and may cause big problems later.
Just ideas.
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One case where it is both possible and reasonable to edit the text in a SU dimension is to expand upon what it means. For example, you might want to note that a dimension is to be taken from the surface of a foundation wall an not from any drywall later installed. You're not altering the value of the dimension - which as previously mentioned is a very big no-no - but adding information.
To do this you double-click on the dimension text and replace the number shown with angle brackets - the < and > - and then your text. So for the example I gave you might type:
"The distance <> is to be measured from the concrete of the foundation and not from drywall"
When you click somewhere else to accept the edit the actual value is substituted for the angle brackets. -
Sounds like you folks only draw square boxes.
I often dimension to round edges or to the bottom of a turning. SU has a preference for snapping to one of the facets NEAR the bottom/ face plane/ whatever, instead of dimensioning to the extremity itself. I always type in exact sizes when designing. Needless to say, before I discovered this trick the dimensions were weird about 99% of the time.
Because I never know where the dimensions will show in SU, I use LayOut for dimensioning. It works well when the drawing is relatively large, but when it is small the dimensions show as out of scale.
I use fractional sizes. When dimensioning an exactly 4" block with rounded corners, LayOut usually shows the size as 3 63/64". I go to the Dimensions window and set the precision to 1/16". Presto, problem solved, and I can still edit (if it's a relatively large change) without re-diddling the dimensions. Would that there was some smartness to the snapping.
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It sounds to me, Jim, as if you aren't dimensioning off the right points of the rounded block. If there really is a 4" dimension, you should be able to get LO to give it to you. I'd be interested to see an example of when this doesn't work for you.
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Dave, with all respect, try it yourself with a rounded edge or dimensioning a turning, something where the end comes to a round then a flat. Several times I've spent 15 minutes trying to get a dimension to snap to the right place with no luck. The only sure way is to turn on hidden geometry, zoom in and pick the closest edge. Dimensioning should be a lot easier than this. Try Rhino, you'll find it is.
No other technique I've tried has worked. If you have one, please share it, I'm sure others will benefit as well.
Jim
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@jim57 said:
Dave, with all respect, try it yourself with a rounded edge or dimensioning a turning, something where the end comes to a round then a flat.
OK, I thought I'd try this - I've had plenty of irritations with LO dimensioning in the past.
I used SU to draw a 4" square and then made ½" corner by using the arc tool and making tangent arcs. Delete the scrap corners, save and send to LO.
I had no trouble at all with getting clean 4" dimensions in LO. I even tried using raster and vector rendering just in case that made a difference.
What do you do that might be different and explain where the problem lies?
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Jim57
Why do you even have any 'hidden geometry' that can be turned on to 'fix' the problem ?
Please explain and/or post an image/example - from what you appear to say you make a very simple form with rounded arrises that won't dimension-snap properly... where'd this 'hidden stuff' come from ?? -
Jim, I'm not trying to be arugmentative. I'm trying to find out where you find it impossible to get the actual dimension. Perhaps to help you out with it.
I have done a lot of dimensioning in LO and while I've had some gripes with it, it has always given me the actual dimension between the two points I select.
Would you show an example--upload the SU and LO files--so we can see when it fails?
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