Configuring Draftsman Linear Dimension Object Properties in Altium Designer

Parent page: Linear Dimension

Draftsman object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

• Pre-placement settings – most Linear Dimension object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the Draftsman - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (access from the  button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.
• Post-placement settings – all Linear Dimension object properties are available for editing in the Properties panel when a placed Linear Dimension is selected in the design space.

The Linear settings in the Preferences dialog, and the Linear Dimension mode of the Properties panel.

Style

• Dimension Style – the thickness and style of the Dimension's arrowed line. Use the line weight drop-down menu to choose from a range of line thickness presets and the line pattern menu to choose from a range of line styles. The associated color button () opens the color selector where the line color can be specified by RGB or HEX value, by freeform selection, or from a range of presets. Note that the slider control sets the color Opacity level where 0% represents full transparency.
• Extension Style – the thickness and style of the Dimension's extension lines. Use the line weight drop-down menu to choose from a range of line thickness presets and the line pattern menu to choose from a range of line styles as outlined above.

 Arrow Style

• Head Style – select the drop-down to choose from a range of preset target pointer styles.
• Width – the width of the pointer head, such as an arrow. This setting also defines the diameter of a round head style.
• Length – the length of the pointer head, such as an arrow.
• Full Length – the length of the arrow lines when positioned on the outside of the Dimension line (see Arrow Position below).

Properties

• Text Position – use the drop-down menu to specify the Dimension's text alignment. It can be set to within the Dimension line (Inside) or positioned alongside the line (Outside). The Aligned variation positions the text in the same X/Y axis as the Dimension line.
• Arrow Position – use the drop-down menu to choose the arrow (header) position relative to the Dimension extension lines. Draftsman automatically sets the position to Outside when the extension lines are close together.
• Additional Line – enter text that will be displayed as a second line below the dimension text. Use the associated button to toggle its visibility.
• Extension Line Gap – set the spacing between the dimension target points and the beginning of the extension lines.
• Extension Line Offset – set the distance that the extension lines will protrude beyond the arrowed dimension line.

Units

• Primary Units – select the main dimension unit type that will be displayed. Use the associated button to toggle the unit's visibility.
• Dual Units – set the secondary dimension unit type that will be displayed. Use the associated button to toggle the unit's visibility.

Value

• Value (Properties panel only) – the measurement of the selected dimension as derived by Draftsman. Check the Override Value With box to enter an alternative dimension text in the associated field.
• Font – sets the displayed font used for the Dimension text string.
  • Use Document Font checkbox selected – the font used is that defined by the document options. See the Document Font entry in the General section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode.
  • Use Document Font not selected – use the Font drop-down menus to choose the desired font type and size and select the lower buttons to enable text attributes. The associated color button () opens the color selector where the font color can be specified by RGB or HEX value, by freeform selection, or from a range of presets. Note that the slider control sets the color Opacity level where 0% represents full transparency.
• Prefix – enter a text string that will be displayed before the dimension text.
• Suffix – enter a text string that will be displayed after the dimension text.

Tolerance

• Tolerance Type – use the drop-down menu to enable and set the type of displayed tolerance (the expected or acceptable variation in the target dimension):
  • Symmetric – sets the positive and negative tolerance to the same value, which is determined by the Positive Tolerance field entry. 
  • Bilateral – allows the specification of independent positive and negative tolerance values as defined by their respective Positive/Negative Tolerance field entries (see below).
  • Limit – sets the tolerance display type to show the expected or acceptable value that the dimension may deviate.
• Positive Tolerance – enter a value for the acceptable or expected worst case increase of the dimension.
• Negative tolerance – enter a value for the acceptable or expected worst case decrease of the dimension.

Precision

Specifies the numerical precision (number of significant digits to the right of the decimal point with the last digit rounded) for the dimension text.

• Primary Units – use the Value and Tolerance Precision drop-down menus to choose the numerical rounding for the Primary (main) dimension Value/Tolerance text.
• Dual Units – use the Value and Tolerance Precision drop-down menus to choose the numerical rounding for the Dual (secondary) dimension Value/Tolerance text.