Horizontal Distance Dimension Tool
The Horizontal Distance Dimension Tool can be used to draw a horizontal distance dimension line. The dimension line can be drawn between any two points on the grid or be connected to selected connection points on one or multiple figures within a drawing.
This tool can be selected by performing an extended Click on the Linear Dimension Tool within the Drawing-Toolbar. Click on the tool to select it.
Use a Click/Drag action to draw the Horizontal Dimension Line from a set starting point to a desired end point and then release the click to complete the drawing action.
How to Alter Dimension Line Size and Position
To alter the length of a dimension line, perform a Click/Drag action on one of the dimension line’s connection handles.
Do not release the click action until the end of the dimension line is in the desired location.
In the example below, the right connection handle has been moved to the right to make the dimension line larger.
Click and Drag on the blue bounds handle to change the position of the dimension line.
Click and Drag on the dimension line to change its position within the Drawing Canvas.
How to Alter the Arrowhead Locations
The arrowhead locations within a horizontal distance dimension line can be located on the inside or outside of the dimension line.
When located on the inside, a horizontal distance dimension line will appear as shown below. This is the default selection.
To change the arrowhead location to the outside for a selected dimension line, click on the Modify Menu and select the Dimensions Submenu.
Next, click on the Arrowhead Outside option to change the arrowhead location to outside. A checkmark will be present for the currently enabled arrowhead option.
The Horizontal Distance Dimension Line will appear as shown below when arrowheads are on the outside.
How to connect a Horizontal Distance Dimension Line to Images/Figures
A Horizontal Dimension Line can be connected to specific locations within an image and used to scale the image. It can also be connected to points within one or more figures.
A garage floor plan image has already been added to the drawing for this example.
Next, a Horizontal Distance Dimension Line will be drawn along the garage opening.
Perform a Click/Drag action on a connection handle within the dimension line to connect it to a point within an image or figure.
For more control over the position of each end of the dimension line, disable the Snap to Grid and/or Snap to Lines options. A Shift/Click action can also be performed when moving each connection handle.
Perform this action again for the second connection handle within the dimension line.
Note: A Horizontal Distance Dimension Line an also be drawn between two points on any figure or from one point on a figure to a point on another figure.
Using the Scale Attached… Option
The Horizontal Distance Dimension Tool can be paired with the Scale Attached… option within the Modify Menu to scale an image, such as a floor plan, to match the grid and trace or perform other actions within the drawing “at scale.”
For this example, a simple garage floor plan will be used to demonstrate the Scale Attached… option. The Horizontal Distance Dimension Line has been connected to each end of the rectangle.
Click on the Horizontal Distance Dimension Line to select it within the drawing.
Click on Modify Menu and select the Transform Submenu.
Next, click on the Scale Attached… option.
Click on the Length field to enter a new value. The “up“ and “down” buttons can also be used to increase or decrease the Length value by 1.
Next, use the checkboxes to enable or disable the Scale Proportional and Scale Attributes options.
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Scale Proportional - Scale the image up to match the grid based on the entered dimension line length.
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Scale Attributes - Scale the attributes (stroke, text, etc.) based on the entered dimension line length.
Once finished, click on the Scale button within the pop-up window.
Note: If Scale Attributes has been disabled, the Attributes will not scale, only the image or figure.