Creating a Distance Dimension

To Create a Distance Dimension between two features:

1. Select Distance Dimension from the Dimensions toolbar or select the Dimension | Distance menu item. This opens the Distance Dimension dialog box.

Distance Dimension dialog box

2. If needed, type an ID for this distance dimension in the ID box.

3. Select 2 features for which a distance dimension will be created by:

• Selecting the 2 features by clicking the feature names from the list.

• Typing the needed feature name in the Search ID box and the feature will be highlighted in the Feature list box when you press the TAB key.

• Click Last 2 to select the last two features from the list.

• Click Clear to clear the previously selected features.

4. Provide the Plus and Minus Tolerance values for the distance dimension(s). PC-DMIS calculates the Nominal distance between two features. The nominal value provides distance by which the tolerance values will be evaluated. You may also apply a previously used tolerance value by selecting it from the drop-down list. The last 10 tolerance values are stored.

5. Select the Circle Options that will be used when measuring from circular features. The default option (No Radius) will measure from the centroid of the feature. Add Radius will add the radius distance to the centroid measured distance. Sub Radius will subtract the radius distance from the centroid measured distance.  

6. Specify the Distance Type. The 2 Dimensional option will measure in a two-dimensional plane relative to the specified feature vector or XYZ axis. For 2 Dimensional options you must also specify the Orientation and Relationship options. 3 Dimensional option will measure point to point.

7. Choose the Relationship option for a 2 Dimensional distance type to which the distance will be relative. The To Feature option uses the feature vector for the relationship.

8. Select an Orientation option for a 2 Dimensional distance where a Relationship has been selected. You can measure the distance Perpen (Perpendicular) To or Parallel To the feature or axis specified by Relationship option.

9. To add a comment to the distance dimension commands, click Edit Comment to open the Edit Comments dialog box.

10. Click Create to add the distance dimension to the Inspection Plan, or click Close to close the dialog box without saving.