topic Re: dimension quick tips in Documentation

dimension quick tips

Patrick M — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:04:57 GMT

Anyone else have tips on the dimension tool? This one came in from a client and I thought I'd share it here to see what other efficiency tips anyone may have to add.

https://youtu.be/4Dn-RnaUD9U

Re: dimension quick tips

Kristian Goodsell — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:29:22 GMT

Hey Patrick.

Just a little efficiency add to the last option in your video,

If you dimension to the end point of the lines when you do the rotation alignment, there's no need for the last step of bringing the dimension back to the lines manually. Plus that means the dimensions are associated in lieu of static mate.

Re: dimension quick tips

DimitriusMega — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:04:01 GMT

Hey Patrick,

Dimitrius here. That's a nice video - I would just add to this the "align" option, it is handy when you're in a rush and accidentally either put the dimension on a wrong rotation or you just want to correct it afterwards after some adjustments to the model. You just need to select the option and choose another line/wall for the dimension to become parallel to the selected element. I used to use it the most.

Re: dimension quick tips

Patrick M — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:33:34 GMT

yes, I love the align option with the dim style!
I don't know if it's just that most people I train are coming from different software, but the dim tool is one that a lot of people struggle to use efficiently.

Re: dimension quick tips

DimitriusMega — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:14:45 GMT

wow! that's interesting, I never knew this tool caused struggle within people coming from different softwares. would love to hear more about it though!

Re: dimension quick tips

Patrick M — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:13:38 GMT

I've probably trained somewhere around 200 people... maybe more (not counting speaking at conferences, just onboarding) over the last 15-20 years...
the dimension tool is one of the tools that I get the most follow up one on one sessions for.
I think it's just the anticipation that it could work more like revit or autocad... and it doesn't. There are also dozens of tips on how to be more efficient, get things lined up, edit, and even placing; that unless you've done it 100x, they just don't click.
common questions:
how do I use the automatic dimensioning again?

what is the trick to get dimensions to just one side of the framing?

how do I show an open circle for centerline tick and a dash for face of framing on the same dimension?

how can I copy dimensions from one view to another?

why is my dimension no longer attached to my wall/window/door/toilet/etc? how do I re-associate it?

...
it's all basic stuff, like I said, when you've done it 100x

Re: dimension quick tips

jl_lt — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 05:50:22 GMT

Great tips! But I must say that if graphisoft were ever to implement the complete revamp of the dimension tool we have proposed a couple of times in the past, all your questions would be solved with that hipotetical tool

Re: dimension quick tips

Patrick M — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:58:26 GMT

no doubt, it would be awesome to have a more intuitive dimension tool. maybe something that handled all dimension types (radial, level, standard dim, etc.) instead of separate tools. Reenvisioning the dimension styles is also long past due. It's the one view setting that is super weird... save over an existing style? still? and I'd love individual tick style controls; so I can have (center to face of framing) something like -/----o----/-, without having to splice multiple dimensions together.

anyway... of all the things I'd like improved in archicad, the dimension tool falls low in that priority list. It works, and they have made small improvements in recent years (leaders, autotext, display order).

Re: dimension quick tips

jl_lt — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 07:15:09 GMT

Just so we are one the same page: We want to live in a post-dimensional world, where most if not all dimensioning duties gets handled by the computer with a set-it and forget-it mentality, all of this without the need of individual clicks.

Re: dimension quick tips

Patrick M — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:52:34 GMT

I don't know that I do want that actually. There are too many variables for what I want to include or exclude based on project needs.
...
there are dozens, maybe hundreds of "for instances":
remodel/addition, where you don't need to worry about parts of the existing structure

a simple tile layout, where you are not concerned about anything except a handful of dimensions

shop drawings, where you only need the parts relevant to the cabinets/furniture/etc.

spec/tract homes, where you have dimensions that may be "minimum" or "per GC"

remodels where most/all are V.I.F.

small projects where you only need overall dims or partial dims to relay design intent

...
I dunno, maybe there is a possible future where AI is capable of interpreting project specific needs for dimensions and annotation... but right now, I can't get a simple AI render bot to not put chimneys and swimming pools all over my projects.

Re: dimension quick tips

jl_lt — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:11:22 GMT

It would be criteria based tool (you can define what it reads, so it can dimension structural elements or cabinets) and reads the model just like the section tool; but instead of generating a section it generates a string of dimensions. And as it "reads" the model like the section tool it's always updated no matter if you move or erase things, without doing further clicking

It's not completely automatic as it would need setting it in place, but once set you can work in the model without much worry, and of course it would allow for manual input for very specific cases. You can copy it on any level, adjust level of detail, criteria... one can just imagine

Re: dimension quick tips

DimitriusMega — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:00:20 GMT

it's awesome to know those questions!! another trick that I love - that many people know of but it is not so intuitive - is to while having the dimension selected, you can press command/control on other hotspots and the dim line continues to add and grow. makes any task so much faster