dimension quick tips

[Patrick M]

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

[Kristian Goodsell]

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.

[DimitriusMega]

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.

[Patrick M]

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.

[DimitriusMega]

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!

[Patrick M]

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

[jl_lt]

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

[Patrick M]

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).

[jl_lt]

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.

[Patrick M]

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.