Baseline Dimension

The Baseline Dimension dialog.

Summary

This dialog allows the designer to specify the properties of a Baseline Dimension object. A baseline dimension is a group design object. It allows for the dimensioning of a linear distance of a collection of references, relative to a single base reference. The first point chosen is the 'base'. All subsequent points are relative to this first point. The dimension value in each case is therefore the distance between each reference point and the 'base', measured in the default units. The references may be objects (tracks, arcs, pads, vias, text, fills, polygons or components) or points in free space.

Access

The Baseline Dimension dialog can be accessed prior to entering placement mode, from the PCB Editor – Defaults page of the Preferences dialog. This allows the default properties for the baseline dimension object to be changed, which will be applied when placing subsequent baseline dimensions.

During placement, the dialog can be accessed by pressing the Tab key.

After placement, the dialog can be accessed in one of the following ways:

• Double-clicking on the placed baseline dimension object.
• Placing the cursor over the baseline dimension object, right-clicking and choosing Properties from the context menu.
• Using the Edit » Change command and clicking once over the placed baseline dimension object.

Options/Controls

• Pick Gap - the current pick gap value, which is is the distance between the dimension extension line and the object being dimensioned.
• Arrow Size - the current arrowhead size. The size is measured as the distance between the arrow tip and the end of the arrow 'legs'.
• Line Width - the current arrow line width (the "thickness" of the lines used to produce the arrows).
• Offset - the current arrow offset with respect to the dimension extension line. The offset is the distance between the arrow tip and the end of the extension line furthest from the object being dimensioned. If the value is increased, the extension line extends by the additional amount in order to meet the offset criteria.
• Length - the current arrow length. Note that the value entered into this field is applied only when the Arrow Position is set to Outside.
• Rotation - the angle of alignment of the dimension, measured anti-clockwise in degrees from the horizontal.
• Text Gap - the current gap to the left and right of the dimension value text.
• Text Width - the current dimension text stroke width (the "thickness" of the lines used to produce the lettering).
• Text Height - the current height of the dimension text characters. The character width used to display or print the text is automatically proportioned to this height. A minimum height of 36mil (0.9mm) will allow the string to be legibly photoplotted.
• Extension Width - the current width for the dimension extension lines.

Properties

• Layer - the layer the dimension is currently assigned to. Dimensions can be assigned to any available layer, click on the list to view and select a different layer, from all those currently defined for the board.
• Unit - the current unit that is selected for the calculation and display of the dimension value. Choose either Mils, Millimeters, Inches, Centimeters, or Automatic.

• Format - the current setting for the format of the dimension text. Use the associated drop-down to change the format as required. The options listed will depend on the chosen Unit and present based on the actual value for the current dimension. In generic terms, the available options are:
  • None - no dimension text is displayed.
  • Value Only - no units are displayed, only the dimension value (eg. 1220.45).
  • Value and Unit - units are displayed after the dimension value (eg. 1220.45mil).
  • Value and Bracketed Unit - units are displayed in brackets after the dimension value (eg. 1220.45(mil)).
• Prefix - the current prefix to the dimension value.
• Text Position - the current position of the dimension text. Use the associated drop-down list to choose one of the following options:
  • Automatic - the dimension text will be placed in the most appropriate location with respect to the dimension, such that the text itself is always readable.
  • Aligned - Center - the dimension text will be aligned to the center of the dimension line.
  • Aligned - Top - the dimension text will be aligned above the dimension line, and centered.
  • Aligned - Bottom - the dimension text will be aligned below the dimension line, and centered.
  • Aligned - Right - the dimension text will be aligned to the right of the dimension line (outside of the extension line).
  • Aligned - Left - the dimension text will be aligned to the left of the dimension line (outside of the extension line).
  • Aligned - Inside Right - the dimension text will be aligned to the right of the dimension line (inside the extension line).
  • Aligned - Inside Left - the dimension text will be aligned to the left of the dimension line (inside the extension line).
  • Unidirectional - the dimension text will be aligned to the center of the dimension line, but will remain horizontal, irrespective of the dimension alignment angle.
  • Manual - the dimension text will be available for manual placement by the user, directly in the workspace.
• Suffix - the current suffix to the dimension value.
• Arrow Position - the current position of the dimension arrows. The available options are:
  • Inside - the arrows will be positioned inside the dimension's extension lines (pointing outwards).
  • Outside - the arrows will be positioned outside the dimension's extension lines (pointing inwards).

• Precision - the current setting for the number of decimal places to the right of the decimal point that the dimension will be displayed to. The maximum number of decimal places is 6.
• Locked - enable this option to protect the dimension from being edited graphically.

• Sample - this field presents a sample of how the dimension text will appear, in accordance with specified Format, and any defined Prefix and/or Suffix.
• Font - use this field to choose the type of font used for the dimension's text, either Stroke or TrueType. The dialog will present options based on the chosen type.

Select Stroke Font

This area of the dialog and its asscociated option are presented only when the Stroke option is chosen for the dimension text's Font.

• Font Name - use this field to choose the required Stroke font. Available options are Default, Serif, and Sans Serif. The Default style is a simple vector font which supports pen plotting and vector photoplotting. The Sans Serif and Serif fonts are more complex and will slow down vector output generation, such as Gerber.

Select TrueType Font

This area of the dialog and its asscociated options are presented only when the Truetype option is chosen for the dimension text's Font.

• Font Name - use this field to choose the required TrueType font. The drop-down list is populated with TrueType and OpenType (a superset of TrueType) fonts found in the \Windows\Fonts folder. Note, the list will only include entries for detected (and uniquely named) root fonts. For example, Arial and Arial Black will be listed but Arial Bold, Arial Bold Italic, etc will not. Use the Bold and Italic options to add emphasis to the text.
• Bold - enable this option to make the dimension text bold.
• Italic - enable this option to make the dimension text italic.