Dimension Extension Linetype

Does anybody know how to change the linetype of a dimension extension
without exploding the dimension?

ie: Changing it to "center" for dimensioning centerlines of beams, columns,
etc.

 

Autodesk has turrned a deaf ear on requests for this ability since the very
beginning. There's simply no good way to do it, unless you either draw the
extension line as a separate entity or use one of the third-party kludges
available (all of which will revert to the original continuous linetype if
the dimension is moved or edited).
___

 

You can do that though your plot style settings.

 

Not unless you have a version of AutoCAD I've never seen before ...
___

 

just plain 2000

 

Enlighten us.

 

I think vadim is talking about making the extension lines have a different
color, then mapping a linetype to that color in the CTB. Problem there is it
applies to BOTH extension lines. I find that I have only one center
dimension as often as I have two. It would be nice to see independent
control of linetype. Better yet, have the linetype actually change based on
what is dimensioned. If I attach my dim at a center or quadrant osnap I get
a centerline, otherwise I get continuous. FOr that matter I would like
dimensions that don't fit between extension lines to switch to center
justified vertically as well as getting a leader. The autoleader is useless
what I still have to make other dimvar edits.
But both are probably wishful thinking. Fixing old problems is never as
important as implamenting new features, at least when marketing runs the
show.

Gordon

 

Here's the way: in your CTB file pick a color and assign a centerline
linetype to it. In your dim style pick that color for your extension line.
Your would not see that C/L on the screen, it only visible on a hard copy.

 

But both are probably wishful thinking. Fixing old problems is never as

I agree on nearly all your points. I'd guess that architects probably have
more varied needs relative to dimension styles than most other Acad users.
For me, what Acad provides is just barely adequate for the simplest cases,
and beyond that you have to fudge and twiddle to get what you want.

As far as the extension linetype, as Paul said, it's not to hard to change
them individually via a lisp, but like anything else non-kosher that you do
to a dimension, it goes away as soon as you edit or update the dimension.
I've tried working that way, and it's more troublesome than suppressing the
extension and drawing a separate centerline.

 

And just drawing the centerline and dimensioning to it is way too much trouble.

 

you have a sense of humor...

Jack Talsky

trouble.

 

you have a sense of humor...<

I'm glad you see it that way, most think I'm just a fecal sphincter.
;-)

 

Sorry Anne.

 

It was removed.

 

And just drawing the centerline and dimensioning to it is way too much
trouble.

Well, how troublesome it seems to me depends on the context. If the
centerline has a kind of independent existence, like a structural grid line
or a finish floor datum line, it doesn't bother me to draw it separately and
pop dimensions to it. I usually need to suppress the extensions that lie on
the centerline, to avoid obscuring its linetype.

(I'd add to Gordon's pie-in-the-sky wish list: it would be nice to have an
option to automatically suppress extension lines when the entire length of
the extension lies along another object anyway.)

But like Gordon, I often have a string of dimensions that might include one
or more extensions that ought to be centerlines, but I seldom need both
extensions of any one dimension to be centerlines. In that case, it is a
small annoyance to have to replace the extension with a separate line.

Same with the leader line, like he said. We wind up drawing a separate
leaders in order to control their appearance, to avoid fighting with
dimvars. Now that we're accustomed/spoiled to associative dimensions that do
useful things for us, it's a mild nuisance to have to include disassociated
objects in a dimension string.

While I can see that it might be hard to add "conditional" functionality to
dimvars (like changing vertical justification if the dim text doesn't fit,
or changing extension linetypes by context), I can't understand why
independent control of extension linetypes hasn't yet been provided. As Paul
said, it's an ancient wish list item.

 

I was kinda thinking that myself.
But the question was asked so... how about just making a block of the
appropriate line type and using that as your arrowheads.

Graeme

trouble.

 

Okay, different tack...

Let's say the wish comes true, you now have that ability. What's the function?

Changing the linetype after the dim is placed with some edit tool, then suppressing the extension line of the continuing dim? Sounds heavy handed. Creating a unique dimstyle doesn't sound much lighter.

LEt's think about the current solution, place a separate line on the right layer for the right linetype, stopping it 1/4" short of the dimline location and dimension to that endpoint as normal.

Other than making the element part of the dimension, I see little advantage, considering that usually Col grids need to extend well past the far col. line and usually extend well past the dimline and certers of circles can be quickly "lined" with DIMCENTER and a little customization.

But hey, that's just me.

 

A simple pair of DIMVARs, similar to DIMSE1 and DIMSE2; e.g., DIMELT1 and
DIMELT2 (for DIMension Extension LineType 1 and 2). These could be used in
override fashion just like other DIMVARs. Of course, if that ever happens,
I'll be out the price of an upgrade ...
___

function?

 

Let's say the wish comes true, you now have that ability. What's the
function?

I was thinking along Paul's lines, another pair of overrides that could be
controlled through Properties. If you can suppress them, you ought to be
able to control their linetypes as well.

In practice, having the element as part of the dimension would be an
advantage when it's part of a dimension string containing mixed extension
types -- i.e. face of wall to centerline of window to face of wall, etc.
Column grids I'd probably prefer to draw separately anyway for the reasons
you mention.

 

But what have you gained, production-wise? To me it just seems easier to place the line than to run around overriding this one and suppressing that one and "oops updated the wrong one", etc.