Unconstrained Chain mode creates a series of connected dimension lines, with each line segment displaying its specific measurements.
When dimensions are part of a chain object, they can all be moved at once, and their attributes and properties can be changed as a group. The properties of dimensions in a chain object also can be edited individually. When dimensions in the chain are modified, the other dimensions adjust automatically. See Modifying Dimensions for more information about editing chain objects.
To create an unconstrained chain of connected dimension lines:
1. Click the Unconstrained Linear Dimension tool from the appropriate tool set/palette, and select Unconstrained Chain mode.
● All workspaces: Dims/Notes tool set
● Spotlight workspace: Basic tool palette
2. Click Preferences from the Tool bar.
The Chain Dimension Preferences dialog box opens. Select whether to Create smart chain dimension objects or to Create individual dimension objects adjacent to each other. Also select whether to use collision control to automatically space text blocks so that they do not overlap. Click OK.
3. Click to set the measurement start point.
4. Click to end the measurement of the first segment.
5. Move the cursor away from the object to the desired offset location.
In a 3D view, the first two clicks determine the X axis of the plane where the dimension will be placed; move the cursor to rotate the dimension plane as desired. The dimension plane can be horizontal or vertical to the layer plane, or aligned to adjacent faces of a 3D object being dimensioned.
6. Click to place the first dimension line.
7. Move the cursor to the end of the next segment and click to set its endpoint.
8. Continue setting segments.
9. Double-click to end the chain.
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