Creating drafting dimensions
Mastercam provides two menus for creating drafting dimensions: the Drafting menu (SmartMode) and the Dimension menu.
¨ Drafting menu (SmartMode). The Drafting menu, when displayed, puts you into SmartMode, an integrated drafting environment where you can create all dimensions except baseline, chained, or ordinate. You can also create other entities such as notes, labels, leaders, and hatch entities from the Drafting menu. To access the Drafting menu, choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
When to use. Because of its flexibility in allowing you to create or edit many different kinds of drafting entities, you will usually find it more convenient and efficient (fewer mouse clicks) to create dimensions (except baseline, chained, or ordinate) in SmartMode than from the Dimension menu—especially when you are creating or editing different types of dimensions in succession. You must use SmartMode to create perpendicular dimensions, which cannot be created from the Dimension menu.
¨ Dimension menu. The Dimension menu gives you options for creating specific types of dimensions.
You can use the Dimension menu to create all dimensions except perpendicular. To access the Dimension menu, choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension. Then choose the option (Horizontal, Vertical, etc.) that corresponds to the dimension you want to create.
When to use. If you are creating multiple instances of a particular dimension type (horizontal, vertical, etc.), you may find it more efficient to choose that option from the Dimension menu than to create the dimension in SmartMode. You must use the Dimension menu to create baseline, chained, and ordinate dimensions, as these dimensions cannot be created in SmartMode (from the Drafting menu).
Note: You cannot select, reposition, or edit existing dimensions from the Dimension menu. Instead, display the Drafting menu, then use SmartMode and the Quick Edit options to select, reposition, and edit
dimensions you wish to change.
Creating dimensions in SmartMode (Drafting menu)
Selecting drafting entities in SmartMode
SmartMode is an integrated drafting environment, in which you can create different dimensions as well as select and edit existing dimensions and drafting entities. In this environment, the geometric or drafting entities you select activate the appropriate drafting function, allowing you to create or edit drafting entities, as summarized in the following table and the notes below.
Notes:
¨ Selecting an existing drafting entity in SmartMode lets you edit that drafting entity, even if the entity was not created in SmartMode (e.g., a baseline, chained, or ordinate dimension, a note, or a label).
¨ To activate the point dimension function in SmartMode, the Display in SmartMode parameter must be turned on (checked) in the Dimension Text tab of the Drafting Globals dialog box. You can, however, select and edit an existing point dimension in SmartMode.
157 Creating dimensions in SmartMode: Overview
As a dynamic environment for creating drafting dimensions, SmartMode allows you to create point, linear (horizontal, vertical, perpendicular, or tangent), angular, and circular, dimensions depending on the points or entities you select and the sequence in which you select them. The following table summarizes the selection sequences you can use to create dimensions in SmartMode.
Note: To create point dimensions in SmartMode, the Display in SmartMode parameter must be turned on (checked) in the Dimension Text tab of the Drafting Globals dialog box.
158 Creating linear dimensions in SmartMode
In SmartMode, you can create horizontal, vertical, or parallel linear dimensions for selected entities in the graphics window.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text in different directions to display available linear dimension types:
horizontal, vertical, or parallel. (If you are dragging a dimension associated with a horizontal or vertical line, its type is locked by default.)
Note: While dragging the dimension text, you can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension.
4. While the desired dimension type is displayed, press and hold the left mouse button (or choose Quick Edit (L)ock option) to lock the dimension’s current type.
159
5. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then release (or click) the mouse button to set its position.
Note: You can also create horizontal, vertical, and parallel dimensions from the Dimension menu.
Creating horizontal dimensions (Dimension menu)
Choosing the Horizontal option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more horizontal dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Horizontal.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional horizontal dimensions, as needed.
5. Press [Esc] to exit the Horizontal dimension function.
Notes:
¨ Choosing the Quick Edit un(L)ock option, when available, allows the dimension to change type (horizontal, vertical, parallel), as you drag the dimension text.
¨ You can also create and edit horizontal dimensions in SmartMode.
Creating vertical dimensions (Dimension menu)
Choosing the Vertical option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more vertical dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Vertical.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional vertical dimensions, as needed.
5. Press [Esc] to exit the Vertical dimension function.
160 Notes:
¨ Choosing the Quick Edit un(L)ock option, when available, allows the dimension to change type (horizontal, vertical, parallel), as you drag the dimension text.
¨ You can also create and edit vertical dimensions in SmartMode.
Creating parallel dimensions (Dimension menu)
Choosing the Parallel option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more parallel dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Parallel.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional parallel dimensions, as needed.
5. Press [Esc] to exit the Parallel dimension function.
Creating perpendicular dimensions in SmartMode
Perpendicular dimensions measure the perpendicular distance between any of the following:
¨ A point and a line
¨ Two points and a parallel line
¨ Two parallel lines
In SmartMode, you can create perpendicular linear dimensions for selected entities in the graphics window.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
2. Select either:
¨ One point and a line
¨ Two points and a parallel line
¨ Two parallel lines
161
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension in different directions to display available perpendicular dimensions for the selected points and/or lines.
Note: While dragging the dimension text, you can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension.
4. While the desired perpendicular dimension is displayed, press and hold the left mouse button (or choose Quick Edit (L)ock option) to lock the current dimension.
5. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then release (or click) the mouse button to save the position.
Creating angular dimensions in SmartMode
In SmartMode, you can create angular dimensions for selected entities. For an example and detailed information about angular dimensions, see Creating angular dimensions (Dimension menu).
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
2. Select either:
* Two non-parallel lines
* Three points (first point selected become the vertex)
* A line and two points. (To select the two points you must first choose the Quick Edit Point mode option while dragging the linear dimension associated with the first line selected.)
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension into the quadrant, relative to the selected lines or points, whose angular dimension you wish to display.
Note: While dragging the dimension text, you can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension.
4. While the dimension is in the desired quadrant, press and hold the left mouse button (or choose Quick Edit (L)ock option) to lock the dimension into the current quadrant.
5. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then release (or click) the mouse button to save the position.
Note: To drag the dimension text outside of its quadrant, Auto Center must be turned off while the dimension is locked. You can add connecting tails out-of quadrant text by checking the Add tail to angular leaders parameter in the Witness/Leaders/Arrows tab of the Drafting Globals dialog box.
162 Creating circular dimensions in SmartMode
In SmartMode, you can create circular dimensions for selected entities. For an example and detailed information about circular dimensions, see Creating circular dimensions (Dimension menu).
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
2. Select either:
¨ A circle (or two points on the same circle)
¨ An arc (or two points on the same arc)
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension in different directions to display available dimension types: circular, horizontal, or vertical.
Note: While dragging the dimension text, you can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension.
4. To change the measured dimension between diameter and radius, choose the Quick Edit (R)ad or (D)ia options.
Note: The default dimension depends on the selected object, as follows:
¨ If you selected a circle, a diameter dimension is displayed.
¨ If you selected an arc (<360 degrees), a radius dimension is displayed.
¨ If you selected an existing circular dimension, the dimension’s last specified style is displayed.
5. While the desired dimension type (circular, horizontal, or vertical) is displayed, press and hold the left mouse button (or choose Quick Edit (L)ock option) to lock the dimension’s current type.
6. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then release (or click) the mouse button to save the position.
Creating tangent dimensions in SmartMode
In SmartMode, you can create tangent dimensions for selected entities. For an example and detailed information about tangent dimensions, see Tangent dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
2. Select either:
¨ A point and an arc/circle
¨ A line and an arc/circle
163
¨ Two arc/circles
3. Drag the dimension in different directions to display available dimension types (vertical, horizontal) and tangent points.
Note: While dragging the dimension text, you can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension.
4. While the desired tangent dimension is displayed, press and hold the left mouse button (or choose Quick Edit (L)ock option) to lock the dimension’s current type.
5. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then release (or click) the mouse button to save the position.
Creating point dimensions in SmartMode
In SmartMode, you can create point dimensions for selected entities. For an example and detailed information about point dimensions, see Creating point dimensions (Dimension menu).
Note: To enable the point dimension function in SmartMode, the Display in SmartMode parameter must be turned on (checked) in the Dimension Text tab of the Drafting Globals dialog box.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting.
2. Enter a point
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional point dimensions, as needed.
Creating dimensions from the Dimension menu
Creating horizontal dimensions (Dimension menu)
Horizontal dimensions are linear dimensions that measure the horizontal distance between two points. The following example shows a horizontal dimension:
Choosing the Horizontal option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more horizontal dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Horizontal.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
164
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional horizontal dimensions, as needed.
5. Press [Esc] to exit the Horizontal dimension function.
Notes:
¨ Choosing the Quick Edit un(L)ock option, when available, allows the dimension to change type (horizontal, vertical, parallel), as you drag the dimension text.
¨ You can also create and edit horizontal dimensions in SmartMode.
Creating vertical dimensions (Dimension menu)
Vertical dimensions are linear dimensions that measure the vertical distance between two points. The following example shows a vertical dimension:
Choosing the Vertical option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more vertical dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Vertical.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional vertical dimensions, as needed.
5. Press [Esc] to exit the Vertical dimension function.
Creating parallel dimensions (Dimension menu)
Parallel dimensions are linear dimensions that measure the actual distance between two points and are parallel to the axis that runs between the two points. The following example shows a parallel dimension:
Choosing the Parallel option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more parallel dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Parallel.
2. Enter two points or select a line.
Note: Before entering a point, you can choose the Quick Edit (P)oint option to display the Point Entry menu and access additional point entry options.
3. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
165
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional parallel dimensions, as needed.
5. Press [Esc] to exit the Parallel dimension function.
Creating baseline dimensions
Baseline dimensions are linear dimensions that reference an existing linear dimension, which serves as a
"base" line, or zero distance. If the original (base) dimension is associated to a geometric entity, the linked baseline dimensions inherit that associativity. Depending on your drafting settings (Settings tab in the Drafting Globals dialog box), you can set baseline dimensions at pre-determined increments or in a position you choose.
When you create a series of baseline dimensions, where you enter the endpoint for the first baseline dimension determines which witness line of the base dimension serves as the reference entity for all subsequent baseline dimensions in the series. If you enter a point to the right of the original dimension’s midpoint, Mastercam uses the witness line to the left as the reference entity, and vice-versa.
Choosing the Baseline option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more series of baseline dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Baseline.
2. Select a linear dimension to be the base. The Point Entry menu displays.
3. Enter a point for the second endpoint of the first baseline dimension that you want to create.
4. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
Note: You can drag the dimension text and use the Quick Edit options only if the Baseline Increments:
Automatic parameter is not checked in the Settings tab of the Drafting Globals dialog box. If Baseline Increments: Automatic is checked, the dimension is set at the fixed baseline increment as soon as you enter the endpoint (step 3).
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create additional baseline dimensions using the same linear dimension.
6. Press [Esc] to complete the current baseline dimension series.
7. If desired, repeat steps 2–6 to create another set of baseline dimensions using a different linear dimension.
8. Press [Esc] to exit the baseline dimension function.
166 Creating chained dimensions
Chained dimensions are linear dimensions that build on one another, beginning with the selection of an existing linear dimension. This dimension is used as a "base," or zero distance for the first chained dimension. Each chained dimension, in turn, becomes the base for the next dimension in the chain.
Chained dimensions are not associated with a geometric entity, even if the original base dimension selected for the chain is associated.
When you create each new dimension in a chain, Mastercam calculates the midpoint of the previously entered dimension. Where you enter the endpoint for the new dimension determines which witness line of the previous dimension becomes the new dimension’s reference entity. If you enter a point to the right of the previous dimension’s midpoint, Mastercam uses the previous dimension’s right witness line as the first witness line of the new dimension, and vice versa.
Choosing the Chained option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more sets of chained dimensions.
1. Choose Main Menu, Create, Drafting, Dimension, Chained.
2. Select a linear dimension. The Point Entry menu displays.
3. Enter a point for the second endpoint of the first chained dimension that you want to create.
4. Drag the dimension text to a desired position in the graphics window, then click to set its position.
Note: You can use the Quick Edit options to edit the dimension before setting its position.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to chain each new dimension to the previous one.
6. Press [Esc] to complete the current chain.
7. Repeat steps 2–6 to create another set of chained dimensions using a different linear dimension.
8. Press [Esc] to exit the chained dimension function.
Creating circular dimensions (Dimension menu)
Circular dimensions measure the diameter or the radius of arcs and circles. You can position the dimension text inside or outside the arc, depending on the position to which you drag the dimension. The format of a circular dimension can be linear (horizontal or vertical) or radius/diameter (rotating).
While you drag a circular dimension, the dimension type and/or format changes (unless it is locked) as follows:
¨ To the right and left of the arc or circle, a vertical dimension is drawn.
¨ Above and below the arc or circle, a horizontal dimension is drawn.
¨ Inside the arc or circle or outside any of the four 45-degree "quadrants," a radius/diameter (rotating) dimension is drawn.
Choosing the Circular option from the Dimension menu lets you create one or more circular dimensions.