Changing the dimension style in AutoCAD is an essential skill for any CAD user. The dimension style determines how dimensions are displayed on your drawings, including text height, arrow style, and units of measurement. In this tutorial, we will explore the step-by-step process to change the dimension style in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Accessing the Dimension Style Manager
To change the dimension style, you first need to access the Dimension Style Manager. There are several ways to do this:
- Method 1: Type “DIMSTYLE” in the command line and press Enter.
- Method 2: On the Annotate tab in the ribbon, click on the “Dimension Style” button.
Step 2: Selecting a Dimension Style
Once you have opened the Dimension Style Manager, you will see a list of existing dimension styles. To select a specific dimension style:
- Bold Text: Double-click on a dimension style from the list or select it and click “Modify”.
- Bold Text: You can also create a new dimension style by clicking on “New” and providing a name for your new style.
Step 3: Modifying Dimension Settings
After selecting or creating a dimension style, you can modify its settings to meet your specific requirements. The Dimension Style Manager provides various tabs for different aspects of the dimension style:
The “Lines” Tab
The “Lines” tab allows you to control properties related to extension lines, centerlines, and leader lines. Here you can specify the color, linetype, and lineweight of these elements.
The “Symbols and Arrows” Tab
The “Symbols and Arrows” tab lets you customize arrowheads, dimensioning symbols, and tolerance symbols. You can select from a range of pre-defined options or create your own.
The “Text” Tab
The “Text” tab is where you can adjust text height, font style, and other text-related properties. This is particularly useful when dealing with large or small-scale drawings.
The “Fit” Tab
The “Fit” tab allows you to control the scale of dimensions in relation to the drawing. You can specify whether dimensions are automatically scaled or fixed in size.
Step 4: Applying the Dimension Style
Once you have made the desired modifications to the dimension style settings, click “OK” to save your changes and apply the selected dimension style to your drawing. All new dimensions created after this point will reflect the updated style.
Conclusion
Changing the dimension style in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that allows you to customize how dimensions are displayed on your drawings. By accessing the Dimension Style Manager and modifying various settings, you can create dimension styles that meet your specific requirements.
Remember to experiment with different styles and settings to find the combination that works best for your projects. With time and practice, you will become proficient in changing dimension styles in AutoCAD.