AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in various industries for creating detailed and accurate 2D and 3D designs. One of the many features that AutoCAD offers is the ‘Dimassoc’ command. In this article, we will delve deeper into what Dimassoc is and how it can be used effectively in your AutoCAD projects.
Understanding Dimassoc
The term ‘Dimassoc’ stands for ‘Dimension Associativity’. It refers to the relationship between dimensions and the objects they measure.
By default, when you create dimensions in AutoCAD, they are not associated with the objects they measure. This means that if you modify or move the objects, the dimensions do not update automatically.
However, by enabling Dimassoc, you can establish an association between dimensions and objects. This association ensures that when you make changes to the underlying geometry, such as moving or modifying objects, the dimensions update automatically to reflect those changes. This saves time and effort as it eliminates the need to manually adjust dimensions every time there is a modification.
Enabling Dimassoc
To enable Dimassoc in AutoCAD, follow these steps:
- Open the Dimension Style Manager: You can access this dialog box by typing ‘DIMSTYLE’ in the command line or by navigating through the Ribbon under ‘Annotate’ tab > ‘Dimensions’ panel > ‘Dimension Style’ button.
- Select a Dimension Style: In the Dimension Style Manager dialog box, select a dimension style for which you want to enable Dimassoc. You can either choose an existing style or create a new one.
- Edit Dimension Style: After selecting a dimension style, click on the ‘Modify’ button to edit its settings.
- Enable Dimassoc: In the Modify Dimension Style dialog box, go to the ‘Fit’ tab and find the ‘Associative’ option. Set it to ‘Yes’ to enable Dimassoc.
- Apply Changes: Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes and close the Modify Dimension Style dialog box.
Once you have enabled Dimassoc in your preferred dimension style, any new dimensions created using that style will be associative by default. You can also apply this association to existing dimensions by selecting them and changing their dimension style to the one with Dimassoc enabled.
Benefits of Using Dimassoc
The use of Dimassoc offers several benefits while working on AutoCAD projects:
- Automatic Updates: With Dimassoc enabled, dimensions update automatically when the associated objects are modified or moved. This ensures accuracy and saves time by eliminating manual adjustments.
- Better Visualization: Associative dimensions provide a clearer representation of design intent as they dynamically adjust according to changes in geometry. This aids in better visualization and understanding of the design.
- Easier Collaboration: When sharing AutoCAD files with others, having associative dimensions makes it easier for collaborators to comprehend the design and make informed decisions based on accurate measurements.
In Conclusion
The ‘Dimassoc’ feature in AutoCAD is an invaluable tool for maintaining associativity between dimensions and objects. By enabling Dimassoc, you can ensure that your dimensions remain up-to-date with any modifications made to the underlying geometry.
This not only saves time but also improves accuracy and collaboration in your AutoCAD projects. So, make sure to take advantage of this feature and streamline your dimensioning workflow.