Understanding the Components of a Dimension

Before you get started with the exercises in this chapter, it will help you to know the names of the parts of a dimension. Figure 9.1 shows a sample of a dimension with the parts labeled. The dimension line is the line that represents the distance being dimensioned. It is the horizontal line with the diagonal tick marks on either end. The extension lines are the lines that originate from the object being dimensioned. They show you the exact location from which the dimension is taken. The dimension text is the actual dimension value, usually shown inside or above the dimension line.

Figure 9.1: The components of a dimension

Another component of a dimension line is the dimension line extension. This is the part of the dimension line that extends beyond the extension line. Dimension line extensions are usually used only on architectural dimensions. The extension lines usually extend beyond the dimension lines in all types of dimensions. The extension line offset from origin is the distance from the beginning of the extension line to the object being dimensioned.

You can control each of these components by creating or editing dimension styles. Dimension styles are the settings that determine the look of your dimensions. You can store multiple styles within a single drawing. The first exercise in this chapter will show you how to create a dimension style.