DrawDimDatum

Created: June 10, 2016 | Updated: April 11, 2017 | Applies to versions: 15.1, 16.0, 16.1, 17.0, 17.1, 18.0, 18.1, 19.0, 19.1, 20.0, 20.1, 20.2 and 21

Parent page: CAMtastic Commands

The following pre-packaged resource, derived from this base command, is available:

Place Ordinate Dimension

Applied Parameters: CommandMode=CAM

Summary

This command is used to place ordinate dimension objects on the current document. An ordinate dimension reflects the X or Y coordinate of a position in the workspace, depending on whether the dimension is drawn vertically or horizontally.

Access

This command is accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by choosing the Place » Dimension » Ordinate command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, you will enter dimension placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

Position the cursor at the required point on, or near to, the object you wish to apply the dimension to, and click.
Move the cursor - the dimension extension line will size accordingly - to the position at which you wish to place the dimension text, and click to complete dimension placement.
Continue placing further ordinate dimensions or right-click, or press Esc, to exit dimension placement mode.

Tips

Placing a vertical ordinate dimension object will display the X-axis value. Placing a horizontal ordinate dimension object will display the Y-axis value.
Dimension properties including text style, height, and accuracy, can be defined on the CAM Editor - Draw Dimension page of the Preferences dialog. Changing these settings will only apply to dimensions that you are going to place, and not those that have already been placed.
All dimension values will be displayed in the current measurement units, as displayed in the CAMtastic panel (default is inches). If the current measurement units are changed (inches/mm), only subsequently placed dimension objects will be displayed in the new current units, and not those already placed.
Dimensions will be drawn using the current DCode. Set the required DCode in the DCode field on the CAMtastic panel.
Dimensions will be drawn on the current layer. The current layer is displayed on the CAMtastic panel at the top of the layers list. Double-clicking on any layer in the layers list will cause it to become the current layer.