Automatic & Manual Dimensions

[PJS-59]

I am trying to work with what dimensions are on what layers.

 

Does anyone know if the automatic Interior and Exterior Dimensions can be placed automatically on different layers?

Example: 

• Automatic Exterior Dimensions --> Layer: Dimensions, Exterior
• Auto Dimension Room -- Layer: Dimension, Room
• Leaving Manual Dimensions and Temporary Dimension on Layer: Dimensions, Plan

I can not find anything in Default Settings to allow this.

 

Thank you

[DBCooper]

I don't know if you can.  You can control the layer your dimensions go on through your dimension defaults and you can quickly change these using saved plan views.  I don't think you can specify that the auto room and auto exterior go on to different layers though.  The best way to do this is to change the current dimension layer, generate your room dimensions, and then change it back to what you want for other dimensions.

 

Someone else might have some better ideas though.

 

 

[PJS-59]

It sounds as if this may be a feature upgrade that is needed.

[Alaskan_Son]

You actually CAN do what you want.  The simple fact is that Chief automatically creates Auto Dimensions for every dimension Default that you have set up, whether you are currently using that default or not, and whether the layer is currently displayed or not.  What this means for you is this:

 

All you need to do is turn Auto Dimensions OFF for your currently Active Dimension Default, and then make sure you have 2 other dimension defaults set up, one to create your Auto Exterior Dimension and place them onto the desired layer, and one to create your Auto Interior Dimensions and place them onto the desired layer.  This will leave you with 3 Dimension Defaults:

1.  Your Active Dimension Default which should be set to use your "Dimensions, Manual" layer

2.  Your Auto Exterior Dimension Default which should be set to use your "Dimensions, Exterior" layer

3.  Your Auto Room Dimension Default which should be set to use your "Dimensions, Room" layer

 

Just make sure all 3 associated dimension layers are turned on in your current view and you should be good to go.

Edited 22 hours ago by Alaskan_Son

[PJS-59]

Thank you, but there are a few problems with this issue:

When I select an auto-exterior dimension, in X-17, I get a warning when I change the layer.  It turns off the auto-exterior dimensions.  It also only changes the layer for the one dimension.

 

Am I missing something?

[Alaskan_Son]

32 minutes ago, PJS-59 said:

Thank you, but there are a few problems with this issue:

When I select an auto-exterior dimension, in X-17, I get a warning when I change the layer.  It turns off the auto-exterior dimensions.  It also only changes the layer for the one dimension.

 

Am I missing something?

Yes.  Sound like perhaps you don't fully understand Dimension Defaults.  I just sent you a P.M.

 

[Chrisb222]

16 hours ago, PJS-59 said:

Am I missing something?

 

You're seeing the warning because your currently selected dimension default has auto dimensions turned off. You need the change which dimension default is currently active to the one that has auto dimensions turned on.

 

To use this method you'll need to change your current Active Dimension Default to the dimension you want to generate, then back to your normal drawing dimension default to resume normal drawing.

• Set everything up like Michael described
• Add the Active Dimension Default Control drop-down menu to your toolbar (see screenshot)
• Before generating auto dimensions, go to the drop-down and select the dimension default for the auto dimension you want to generate
• Generate the dimensions
• Go back to the drop-down and select your normal dimension default

Add the Active Dimension Default Control tool to your toolbar:

[Alaskan_Son]

4 hours ago, Chrisb222 said:

 

You're seeing the warning because your currently selected dimension default has auto dimensions turned off. You need the change which dimension default is currently active to the one that has auto dimensions turned on.

 

To use this method you'll need to change your current Active Dimension Default to the dimension you want to generate, then back to your normal drawing dimension default to resume normal drawing.

• Set everything up like Michael described
• Add the Active Dimension Default Control drop-down menu to your toolbar (see screenshot)
• Before generating auto dimensions, go to the drop-down and select the dimension default for the auto dimension you want to generate
• Generate the dimensions
• Go back to the drop-down and select your normal dimension default

Add the Active Dimension Default Control tool to your toolbar:

 

Yup.  All good notes.  A few more that are worth considering as well:

1. If you have Auto Refresh turned on for Auto Exterior Dimensions, you don't even have to generate those.  Chief will do it automatically with no need to switch defaults.
2. If you have Auto Refresh for Auto Room Dimensions turned on, you will only need to switch Active Defaults the first time your generate dimensions for any given room(s)
3. In lieu of adding the Active Dimension Default Control  you could also just create a special Plan View for this purpose.