Add dimensions manually

In addition to automatic dimensions defined for the drawing at drawing creation, you can add dimensions manually in an open drawing. Manual dimensioning is not recommended in 3D views.

1. Hold down Shift and, on the Dimensioning tab, click one of the dimensioning commands:

   Horizontal: Create a dimension in the x direction by picking the points to be dimensioned. X depends on the current UCS.

   

   Vertical: Create a dimension in the y direction by picking the points to be dimensioned. Y depends on the current UCS.

   

   TIP: You can also create diameter dimensions for round objects using the Horizontal or Vertical dimensioning tool. To make it clear that it is a diameter dimension, add D in the dimension tags as a prefix.

   

   Perpendicular: Create a dimension perpendicular to a line. Define the line by picking two points to set the direction of the dimension line. Then pick the points to be dimensioned.

   

   Orthogonal: Create a dimension in either the x or y direction by picking the points to be dimensioned. Tekla Structures uses the direction of the larger overall distance. X and y depend on the current UCS.

   

   Curved dimension, orthogonal reference lines: Create a curved dimension with orthogonal reference lines. Pick three points to define the arc, and then pick the points to be dimensioned. The dimension text on the line can be either a distance or an angle value.

   

   Curved dimension, radial reference lines: Create a curved dimension with radial reference lines. Pick three points to define the arc, and then pick the points to be dimensioned. The dimension text on the line can be either a distance or an angle value.

   

   Free: Create a dimension parallel to a line between any two points you pick.

   

   COG: Indicate the location of the center of gravity (COG) in single-part, assembly, and cast unit drawings by creating COG dimensions and adding a COG symbol at the center of gravity. You can also create COG dimensions in section views.

   

   Parallel: Create a dimension parallel to a line. First pick two points to define the direction of the dimension line, and then pick the points to be dimensioned.

   

   Radial: Create a radial dimension. Pick three points to define the arch, and then pick a position for the dimension.

   

   Angular: Create an angular dimension. Pick the vertex point and two points to define the angle, and then pick the side to place the dimension.

   

   You can also create a dimension by selecting the dimension type from the drawing property pane object list.

2. You can load predefined dimension properties and search for properties:
   
3. Modify the dimension line and dimension value properties as required.
   For example, define the dimension line and arrow properties, adjust dimension value font, position, background, frame, units, format, and precision, and set the dimension placing properties.
4. Add dimension tags with the desired contents.

   The Content of tag section is displayed when you click a tag container.

   

   (1) Available tag containers around the dimension line. Click a tag container to select it. Use the red delete button in the upper-right corner of the container to remove the contents. You can enter text or click the button and select the desired elements from the element list.

   In tags, you cannot use template attributes such as MODEL_TOTAL that refer to the whole model. Tags only check the information from the object in the drawing, and not from the whole model.

   (2) Prefix tag

   (3) Postfix tag

   (4) Dual dimension tag

   (5) Part count checkbox: When you click a tag container, the Part count checkbox becomes available. When you select the check box, the selected tag shows the part count.

   (6) Dual dimension checkbox: When you click the dual dimension tag container (4), the Dual dimension checkbox becomes available. When you select the checkbox, dual dimensions will be applied.

   (7) Property file: Load a set of predefined dimension tag contents.

   (8) Object type: Define the type of the building object that you are dimensioning. The options are Part, Bolt, Rebar, Surface treatment, and Pour object. This setting is not available when you have selected a dimension in an open drawing.

   (9) Visual tag editor for adding content in dimension tags. You can drag elements to another location inside one tag container. Click the red delete button in the upper-right corner to delete the element.

   (10) Element list. Click the button to open the element list, and then select the elements to add in the current tag container.

   (11) The % button shows the current zoom level in the preview. You can zoom in or out by scrolling the middle mouse button. Click the button to zoom to best fit.

   (12) Search box for searching elements. Enter the element that you want to locate. You can also search for elements. If you do not find the desired user-defined attribute in the list, you can type the name of the attribute in the search box and press Enter to add it.

   (13) If you have already added an element in a tag, the element is marked with text In use in the element list.
5. Define the dimension tag properties:
   • If you want to show the part count in the tag, select the Part count checkbox.
   • Select the tag frame type and color and the text color, font, and height. You can add a frame around the whole tag container or around a single tag element.

     You can use a standard color or a custom RGB color.

   • Select the tag rotation. Each tag has an independent rotation setting, so you can rotate some tags and leave others unrotated. Parallel to dimension line does not rotate the tag, whereas Perpendicular to dimension line rotates the tag.
   • To filter out some of the automatically created tag content, use Excluded tags and select a predefined drawing view filter.
6. Define the dimension exaggeration and plate side mark settings.
7. Pick the points to add the dimensions.

   Follow the instructions on the status bar while adding the dimensions.

   It is very important to use correct snap switches to get the dimensions correct. You can change the switch temporarily by right-clicking and selecting the switch that best suits your purpose.

   In dimension types where you click the middle mouse button to place the dimension line, the placement setting affects the result. If you have set Placing method to Fixed, the position you click with the middle mouse button will be the location of the dimension line. If you have set Placing method to Free, the middle mouse button click defines which side of the object the dimension line is located on, and Tekla Structures places the dimension line.

   Tekla Structures adds the dimensions by using the current dimension properties.

8. To stop adding dimensions, press Esc.

   If you are not happy with the dimensions, you can modify both automatic and manual dimensions afterwards. You can also change the dimension location by dragging. When you drag the dimensions, the Placing setting changes to fixed by default. You can also drag the dimension mark, and when you drag it, a leader line is automatically created.

Examples of manual dimensions

Commands and settings	Example
Add parallel dimension (1) Shows the edge points picked for defining the direction for the parallel dimension line. (2) Shows the picked dimension points.
Same part as before, now dimensioned with Add perpendicular dimension (1) Shows the edge points picked for defining the direction for the perpendicular dimension line. (2) Shows the picked dimension points.
Add curved dimension with orthogonal reference lines The dimension mark on the line is a distance value.
If the ends of a curved beam or polybeam have been cut or fitted, the points at the ends of the beam do not necessarily lie on the true curve of the beam. This is because curved beams are created with straight segments. The points are indicated with (2). To avoid creating incorrect curved dimensions, pick the three points that define the arc using three of the points indicated with (1) . Use end point snap.
Add curved dimension with radial reference lines Curved dimension set to Distance. The dimension mark on the line is a distance value.
Add curved dimension with radial reference lines Curved dimension set to Angle. The dimension tag on the line is an angle value.
Add angular dimension Angle dimension set to Degrees at angle vertex.
Add angular dimension Angle dimension set to Degrees on side.
Add angular dimension Angle dimension set to Triangle. Triangle base length set to 100.
Add radial dimension
Unrotated dimension tag
Rotated dimension tag