Equal dimension tricks

[Henry D]

I just stumbled on this one when I was working on equally spaced columns for which I had to go through several different equal spacing options:

The way we typically space objects equally is to click on the blue EQ text above the dimension string. What I hadn't noticed is that there is a slash through the Q which can be toggled by clicking on it and then clicking on an empty space. You can get all your objects equal and then toggle the slash and then you will have dimensions instead of Equal designations. You can also do this by right clicking and clicking on "EQ display" although this doesn't seem to affect the slash.

The thing I really liked was that if you get all your objects equally spaced and then click on an object, you can change the temporary dimension to a new dimension and all you objects will automatically be respaced to the new dimension.

[Steve_Stafford]

The "EQ" "button" you describe alters the dimension'd objects to be equally spaced, an aggressive feature if you will.

The equal display via the right click after selecting a dimension is the option to only "display" equal dimensions with "EQ" instead of the dimension value, a passive feature.

Quite different purposes but "equally" valuable. :D

[e.wee1790]

I am wondering if there's any 'locking' tips in this situation that would create 'eq' sidelights while creating the desired door opening (say from 1875 to 1640)? Btw, this is in the curtain wall scenario...[/img]

[beegee]

I am wondering if there's any 'locking' tips in this situation that would create 'eq' sidelights while creating the desired door opening (say from 1875 to 1640)? Btw, this is in the curtain wall scenario...[/img]

Well, theres a neat trick by Jeffrey McGrew to get increments ( 1A/2A/1A, etc ) but not for your case where the divisions are unequal ( A/X/A).
If you want to check it out CLICK HERE (http://www.zoogdesign.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=489)

The best solution IMHO, would be to make a door family containing equal adjustable sidelights, so you just adjust the dimension parameters to get the result you want.

[e.wee1790]

Beegee,

Well, I guess I'm getting pampered by this 'eq' button and hoping for more... thanks though for the link to Jeffrey McGrew's neat tip...

[LRaiz]

You may be able to achieve what you are looking for by using two dimension strings with EQ constrains and one ref.plane in the middle. Try the scheme as illustrated in the attachment.

[beegee]

You may be able to achieve what you are looking for by using two dimension strings with EQ constrains and one ref.plane in the middle. Try the scheme as illustrated in the attachment.

Very clever Leonid. That works really well.

[e.wee1790]

The scenario I am facing is that the wall at both ends are constrained. LRaiz's scheme seems to also affect both ends with the 'eq' constraint (unless I'm doing it wrong?), although I have a feeling that it will be very useful in some other scenarios.
So applying the same pinciple from LRaiz, while maintaining both wall at opposite ends, I have moved the object to be centered, although the novelty of the 'EQ' function seems to have been lost. I still believe that there's a way of applying the 'EQ' function for this purpose, but still haven't worked that out... if anyone has any other ideas...

[beegee]

Eter,

Its quite possible I'm misunderstanding your problem, but here's my take on it.

The attached file has the side walls constrained. The Ref Plan has been centered using the "EQ" tool. Two model lines were placed over the curtain wall, then centered around the reference plane , again using the equal tool. As a visual aid only, dimensions were then added from the face of the constrained wall to the model lines.

Select one of the model lines and chose a new offset dimension from the side wall. Both model lines will move, but remain equidistant from the side walls and centered on the reference plane.

Does that sound like what you want ? ( Yes, I know, its not as simple as an EQ button :) . See my post in the wish list forum )

[JamesVan]

I've recently stumbled on a feature that may have something to do with this problem. When you select an object that is constrained by EQ dimensions, you will see an anchor icon appear. This controls where the equally spaced objects flex from. In Leonid's suggestion, perhaps the anchor should be placed at the centerline to allow the correct flexing.

[LRaiz]

I do not really follow why a lock constrain is needed. I would expect 2 dimensions with EQ constrains to work. Please note that in my illustration I placed 2 EQ dimensions. Both are required. One is needed to keep ref-plane in the middle between 2 walls, the second one will keep the elements symmetric. I noticed that eter placed only one of dimensions and is trying to rely on midpoint snapping. Without the second EQ dimension the design intent is not really captured and things may not flex correctly is walls are moved.

[e.wee1790]

Beegee, Leonid,

For a moment I thought you guys almost got it there... but from Beegee's model, the editable dimension is the offset from the side wall. Say is it possible we create an editable dimension between the 2 model lines, while maintaining the equal offset from both sides of the wall?

ps: This isn't a major problem, but it would definitely help avoiding the use of calculator if it works.

[beegee]

You do have to halve the desired central dimension to change it, since its constrained to the central reference plane and will therfore only operate on a dimension to that constraint.

[LRaiz]

Here is your model with locks removed. I think you don't need locks to allow proper flexing. Try it. You could move walls or pick one of the lines and type new dimension value. In case you don't know - you can type an arithmetic expression instead of dimension value, just make sure to start your expression with = sign. So if you know desired value of width but temp dimension is to midpoint just type "= value/2".

[J. Grouchy]

I am wondering if there's any 'locking' tips in this situation that would create 'eq' sidelights while creating the desired door opening (say from 1875 to 1640)? Btw, this is in the curtain wall scenario...[/img]

I found this completely on accident, so I don't know how long this feature has been in Revit...but there is a toggle option under the dimension properties that sets equivalent dimensions in a string to "EQ"...see image attached. No pasting text over the dimension text anymore!! (at least in this situation, that is)
How did I miss that before?!?!

[luigi]

I found this completely on accident, so I don't know how long this feature has been in Revit...but there is a toggle option under the dimension properties that sets equivalent dimensions in a string to "EQ"...see image attached. No pasting text over the dimension text anymore!! (at least in this situation, that is)
How did I miss that before?!?!
At least from 4.5, if not earlier!!!

[J. Grouchy]

Well it's funny...'cause I've seen the Wish several times...but I've never known about this option. Makes me wonder how many other nuggets I've missed entirely, hidden in plain sight.

[Steve_Stafford]

Well it's funny...'cause I've seen the Wish several times...but I've never known about this option. Makes me wonder how many other nuggets I've missed entirely, hidden in plain sight.It is an annotation only option versus constraining objects to remain equal. There are some limitations to how it works when applied to strings that have one or more dimensions that are not equal as well. Might want to read THIS THREAD (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=2290).

[gravelin]

You can also delete the dimension, The constrain can remain. Make the good choise in the dialog box when deletting.