Change Locating Dimensions/Restraints

[GMcGee]

Hi all,

I am running X15.  New user to Chief.   My wife and I are designing a house in chief (she is the lic. arch.).  I have a solidworks background and she is autocad.  I have no idea how to change where dimensions are pulled from to locate objects.  In solidworks, you would just drag the point from the extension line and place it somewhere else. I have searched high and low on this topic and only found help on the dimension tool - which does not affect where things are placed. Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[TeaTime]

Well first things first, welcome!

 

So, I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but I have two assumptions:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/5488/dimensioning-basics.html this video shows in general how dimensions work in Chief Architect, the different dimension tools, how they locate objects, how to adjust how they operate, etc.

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/5429/positioning-and-resizing-objects-using-dimensions.html this video shows how to position and resize objects using dimensions - I THINK this is more what you're asking about.

[GMcGee]

Thanks for your response TeaTime.  I would upload my plan, but its 29mb and bigger than these file sizes.

 

We have these chairs on the back patio.  They are located to each other.  I would like to locate them based on a wall of other object.  I don't know how to change that.

 

I have added point to point dims and other actions, but to no avail.

 

For instance,

if I add this chair chair below randomly in the floor and add point to point dims to the stove, the dims just show me dims, they do not change the chair's location.

 

I understand how to change the 2'-8 1/4" dimension shown below, but I do not understand how to change where it it pulling that dimension from.  If I want to pull the location from the wall, I don't know how to change it from the cabinet to the wall.

 

 

[TeaTime]

4 minutes ago, GMcGee said:

I understand how to change the 2'-8 1/4" dimension shown below, but I do not understand how to change where it it pulling that dimension from.  If I want to pull the location from the wall, I don't know how to change it from the cabinet to the wall.

OH! Gotcha.

What you're seeing there is actually just a Temporary Dimension (there's a toggle for that guy over on the right toolbar)

It'll pull dimensions kinda just to whateaver's nearby, and as a result, often, is not to be trusted.

If you're trying to set that object a set distance from some specific object, draw a manual dimension (End to End is best for a simple 2 point dimension), then you can set what the dimension is locating, select the object and use the dimension to push it to the right spot.

 

(Also for what its worth, 'cause I have a feeling someone's gonna come yellin at some point, Tips & Techniques is more a place to share ideas. General Q&A is where this kind of question should probably have been posted.)

[TeaTime]

Though, looking at that screenshot again it looks like the 3'11 1/4" dimension was manually drawn -- if you select that dimension--without having something already selected--you should see a diamond handles on either side, use those to change what that Dimension is locating. Then select the chair, and click the dimension to set it's distance

[GMcGee]

10-4,  I thought this might be a tip...?  Thanks for the help on that too.  I've read enough of the forum to notice what to add to my posts.  Took me a while to figure out how to add a signature...  This forum is like CA, gotta do everything backwards.

 

Removed temp dims.  Did an end to end.... and got it.  Forgot you had to click the edge perpindicular to the dim and then click the dim to edit it.  See previous statement about CA and backwards.  Love the program though.

 

Thanks for your quick help!