(4) Arrowhead "Size" Variables for Dimension Styles

[kryptonite_186]

Situation:
Right now you can set different arrowhead "types" for the 1st, 2nd, and Leader for each dimension style. But you can only set an global arrow "size" for all these arrowheads (all 3 arrowheads are the same size regardless of the type).

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Problems:
Different arrowheads often need to be shown at different sizes. This makes it necessary to have multiple dimension styles (i.e. 1 for leaders, and 1 for aligned, angular, & linear dimensions) instead of just 1 standard dimension style. Or you must have 1 standard dimension style and override the arrow size when drawing leaders.

Also, it is not possible to use (for example) an Architectural Tick arrowhead with a Closed filled arrowhead of different sizes on the same linear dimension (When DIMBLK1 = Architectural Tick and DIMBLK2 = Closed Filled the DIMASZ is the same for both).

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Solution:
Since there is a global DIMBLK variable to set all the arrowhead "types" along with the sub-variables DIMBLK1, DIMBLK2, & DIMLDRBLK for different arrowhead "types" there should also be a global DIMASZ variable to set all the arrowhead "sizes" along with the sub-variables DIMASZ1, DIMASZ2, & DIMLDRASZ to set different arrowhead "sizes".

[BrenBren]

Have you tried (I am not sure if this will work, but I think so) creating "child dimensions" (that is an old word from 14, but the theory is the same)

Create your standard dimensions style. The select new. When it asks for the name, you will see a couple lines, one "start with" and the other "use for". If you start with your standard dim style, and under use for leaders, for example, you should be able to adjust the properties for just the leaders. Then, you will be able to have your standard style as your default, but it will apply those other properties for just the leaders.

Hope that make sense, and after you try this out, let me know if it works, and we can move this out of the wish list forum (since it really won't be then), and into the general AutoCAD forum.

[kryptonite_186]

Great idea!! That is actually how I have my standard dimension style set up right now ;). A main dimension style that I use for aligned, angular, and linear dimensions and then a child dimension style (as you call it) for leaders.

The advantage of this is you do not have to change back and forth between dimension styles to dimension or annotate a drawing (as you are no doubt aware of).

The disadvantage is AutoCAD still treats it as a separate dimension style and will purge it if I do not have any leaders drawn in yet, even if it is the current dimension style.

Also, there is still the issue of using (2) different types AND different sizes of arrowheads on the same linear dimension. For example, in architecture, you might need an elevation detail that has a dimension from a point (ex. A shelf) to the ceiling. Since the ceiling height may vary per location (or project) I use the sinful "V.I.F." (verify in field) annotation to dimension the distance to ceiling and draw a dimension with the architectural tick on one end (from a continued linear dimension) and a closed filled arrowhead (to a break line). I would like to keep the architectural tick at 1/16" (scaled) and the closed filled at 1/8" (scaled) which is just not possible.

I cheat by suppressing the 2nd arrowhead and draw a leader over top of the linear dimension (starting from the suppressed end and using your "child" leader style) to give it the correct appearance.

But don't you agree that if there are variables to set different arrowhead "types", then there should also be variables to set different arrowhead "sizes"?

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

Gets my vote.

A little trick I currently use to get round this issue / problem is create custom arrow blocks then use them as "User Arrow" within the Arrowheads section of the Dimension Style Manager; by employing such a method I at least keep the Dimension Object as one entity.

:beer: Mike

[kryptonite_186]

Thats a good idea too. Its just that you have to make the block for the user arrow twice as big as it should be. That way when you use it along with the architectural tick they are correctly proportionate. Also, that is a "custom" arrowhead that you have to make sure everyone, following this standard, has a copy of (can you guess what a major part of my job is? ;) ).

Thanks for the input!!

-kryptonite_186