Changing the default dimension style in AutoCAD can help streamline your workflow and ensure consistency across your drawings. By customizing the dimension style to your preferences, you can save time and create drawings that are easier to read and understand. In this tutorial, we will go through the steps to change the default dimension style in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Accessing the Dimension Style Manager
To begin, open AutoCAD and navigate to the “Annotate” tab on the ribbon. Look for the “Dimensions” panel and click on the “Dimension Style Manager” button. Alternatively, you can type “DIMSTYLE” in the command line and press Enter.
Step 2: Modifying an Existing Dimension Style
In the Dimension Style Manager dialog box, you will see a list of existing dimension styles. Select a dimension style that closely matches your desired style, or choose “Standard” if you want to modify the default dimension style.
Note: Modifying an existing dimension style is recommended as it provides a starting point with pre-defined settings that can be adjusted according to your requirements.
Step 3: Changing Dimension Text Appearance
Within the Modify Dimension Style dialog box, navigate to the “Text” tab. Here, you can customize various aspects of how dimension text appears.
- Text height: Specify the height of dimension text by entering a value or selecting it from a list of predefined sizes.
- Text color: Choose a color for your dimension text by clicking on the color swatch and selecting from available options.
- Bold text: To make your dimension text bold, checkmark the “Bold” option.
- Underlined text: If you want to underline your dimension text, checkmark the “Underline” option.
Step 4: Modifying Dimension Lines and Arrows
To modify the appearance of dimension lines and arrows, navigate to the “Lines & Arrows” tab within the Modify Dimension Style dialog box.
- Extension lines: Specify the length and visibility of extension lines by adjusting the settings in this section.
- Arrowheads: Choose different arrowhead styles for both first and second extension lines from a variety of options available.
- Leader lines: If you are using leader lines, customize their appearance by adjusting options in this section.
Step 5: Applying Custom Dimension Style as Default
Once you have made all the desired modifications to your dimension style, click on the “Set Current” button followed by “OK”. This will set your custom dimension style as the default for all future dimensions in your drawings.
Note: Changing the default dimension style will only affect new dimensions and not existing ones. To update existing dimensions with your new style, use AutoCAD’s “REGEN” command to regenerate your drawing.
Congratulations! You have successfully changed the default dimension style in AutoCAD. By customizing dimension text appearance, modifying dimension lines and arrows, and setting it as default, you can create drawings that adhere to your specific requirements while maintaining a consistent look throughout your projects.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Happy CADing!