Drawing Linear Dimensions

Drawing Linear Dimensions
The most common type of dimension you’ll be using is the linear dimension. The linear dimension
is an orthogonal dimension measuring the width and length of an object. AutoCAD provides three
dimensioning tools for this purpose: Linear (Dimlinear), Continue (Dimcont), and Baseline (Dimbase).
These options are readily accessible from the Dimensions control panel’s fly-out toolbar or
the Dimension drop-down menu.

WARNING In the following set of exercises, you’ll see figures displaying dimensions in both
Imperial and metric units. I’ve included both measurements so that both Imperial and metric
users can more easily follow the tutorial. But in your own drawing, you’ll see only one dimension
value displayed above the dimension line.

Finding the Dimensions Control Panel
Before you apply any dimension, you should study the Dimensions control panel. This control
panel contains nearly all the commands necessary to draw and edit your dimensions. It contains atoolbar fly-out to the right of the row of tools; this fly-out is similar to the one in the 2D Draw controlpanel. To open it, click the downward-pointing arrow to the far right of the row of tools.


You can also open the Dimension toolbar, which contains many of the same tools as the Dimensionscontrol panel. Right-click any toolbar, and choose Dimension from the shortcut menu. TheDimension commands are also available from the Dimension drop-down menu. Now, you’re
ready to begin dimensioning.