Adding a String of Dimensions with a Single Operation

Adding a String of Dimensions with a Single Operation
AutoCAD provides a method for creating a string of dimensions by using a single operation. The
Qdim command lets you select a set of objects instead of having to select points. The following exercise demonstrates how the Qdim command works:
1. If you haven’t done so already, zoom out so you have an overall view of the Unit floor plan.
2. Choose Dimension  Quick Dimension, or click Quick Dimension on the fly-out of the
Dimensions control panel.
3. At the Select geometry to dimension: prompt, place a selection window around the
entire left-side wall of the unit.
4. Press ↵ to finish your selection. The following prompt appears:
Specify dimension line position, or [Continuous/Staggered/Baseline/Ordinate/Radius/Diameter/ datumPoint/Edit/seTtings] :
5. Click a point to the left of the wall to place the dimension. A string of dimensions appears,
displaying all the dimensions for the wall.



6. When you’ve finished reviewing the results of this exercise, exit the file without saving it.
The prompt in step 4 indicates several types of dimensions you can choose from. For example,
if you want the dimensions to originate from a single baseline, you can enter B↵ in step 4 to select the Baseline option.
The Qdim command can be a time-saver when you want to dimension a wall quickly. It may not
work in all situations, but if the object you’re dimensioning is fairly simple, it can be all you need.
TIP In this exercise, you used a simple window to select the wall. For more complex shapes, try
using a crossing polygon selection window. See Chapter 2 for more on crossing polygons.

Adding or Removing the Alternate Dimensions
You may eventually encounter a drawing that contains alternate dimensions, as shown in some of the figures earlier in this chapter. You can remove those alternate dimensions by turning off the alternate dimension features. Here’s how it’s done:
1. Choose Dimension  Dimension Style, or enter D↵ to open the Dimension Style Manager
dialog box.
2. Select the style that uses the alternate units. In the Styles list box, choose Modify.
3. Click the Alternate Units tab.
4. Click the Display Alternate Units check box to remove the check mark.
5. Click OK, and then click Close to close the Dimension Style Manager dialog box.
The dimensions that use the style you just edited change to remove the alternate dimensions.
You can also perform the reverse operation and add alternate dimensions to an existing set of
dimensions. Follow the steps shown here, but instead of removing the check mark in step 4, add the check mark, and make the appropriate setting changes to the rest of the Alternate Units tab.

Using Osnap While Dimensioning
When you pick intersections and endpoints frequently, as you do during dimensioning, it can be inconvenient to use the Osnap shortcut menu. If you know you’ll be using certain osnaps frequently, you can use Running Osnaps (See “The Osnap Options” in Chapter 3 for more on setting up Running Osnaps).
After you’ve designated your Running Osnaps, the next time you’re prompted to select a point, the selected osnap modes are automatically activated. You can still override the default settings by using the Osnap shortcut menu (Shift+click the right mouse button).
There is a drawback to setting a Running Osnap mode: When your drawing gets crowded, you can end up picking the wrong point by accident. However, you can easily toggle Running Osnap mode off by clicking Osnap in the status bar or by pressing F3.