Dimensioning Plane Function/Tool
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I have griped about LO dimensioning in the past because I want to love LO, but I can't go all in because of the work-arounds I need for dimensioning. So, here is a thought:
Create a function/tool that would make it possible to click on a view and make the equivalent of a group slice or true orthographic projection, which would be placed over the "parent" viewport. (similar to Sonder's technique, but automatic in LO) The group slice or ortho projection would be placed on its own layer automatically as well, and could be understood as a dimensioning plane. It would be a separate group, on a separate layer with a scale that matched that of the "parent" viewport. The dimension plane could exist entirely in LO and would not need to be created or reside in SU.
Then if the SU model changes, or the view changes, first update the view as you normally would and then a simple click could be used to update, what I am calling the dimension plane. Maybe this could be done with a dimension plane auto update toggle? Then whatever dimensions are pinned to the dimension plane could be adjusted manually. The dimension points which were no longer attached to a point on the dimensioning plane could be highlighted in some fashion to hint that there was an orphan point that needed to be changed. I am at this point willing to concede that automatically updating the dimensions would be impossible. I am OK with that.
A feature like this IMO would be a great benefit for sections, plans, and elevations. It could be a good bridge between maintaining the integrity of the 3D model link and the need to push for more 2D functionality in LO.
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I appreciate what you are trying to achieve but until LO "flattens" a scene properly the easiest option could be to duplicate the imported scene, set it to vector and then explode it on a different linework layer... but I think you already know all these workarounds?
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I am hoping that the LO team understands that ortho views do not always flatten.
And when it comes to perspective views, well, good luck with dimensioning. There are others beside me that have expressed their frustrations. So instead of just bitching about it, I forwarded the idea of a tool that could create a true orthographic projection of a SU scene regardless of whether it was a SU ortho or perspective view.I do get the work-arounds and have used them, and they are useful for projects that are not susceptible to many changes. Those projects are few and far between for me.
I am perplexed at the relative silence and acceptance of LO users who find the package adequate for preparing construction documents. Many have developed very creative solutions to deal with the shortcomings of LO dimensioning. That's great but not ideal.
Please LO, be excellent, not adequate.
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