SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 23: Dimensioning and Tolerancing

Autodimensioning

If the Insert Model Items feature is not likely to produce dimensions that are usable in a manufac-

turing drawing, then the Autodimension feature is even less likely to do so. However, if you use

autodimensioning in a controlled way, in the right situations, it can be a valid way to create

selected dimensions. The Autodimension PropertyManager is shown in Figure 23.10.

Autodimension is only available in the drawing environment. In the part environment, similar

functionality is part of the Fully Define Sketch tool. To access Autodimension, click the Smart

Dimension toolbar icon and click the Autodimension tab in the PropertyManager.

FIGURE 23.10

The Autodimension PropertyManager interface

The Autodimension function can fully dimension the geometry in a drawing view. This is best for

ordinate or baseline dimensioning where many dimensions are derived from a common reference,

as is often the case with sheet metal parts or a plate with many holes drilled in it. You should limit

the use of this option to cases where that type of dimensioning is what you would choose, having

the choice of all available types of dimensions — do not allow the software to dictate the dimen-

sioning scheme for your drawing.

Reference sketches

For some types of dimensions, you may need to create additional reference sketch entities. For

example, with angle dimensions, it may be desirable to add construction lines to help define the

angle. You can add centerlines as separate axis-like entities, as discussed in Chapter 22, but you

can also sketch in centerlines manually if needed. This type of sketch is most often attached to the

view rather than the drawing sheet.