7 replies to this topic

[Dennis Hilborn]

I really like the way SP builds a nice 3D model.  It makes nice "pretty pitchers" and my builders love that.  Now I need to work on dimensions.

 

What am I missing about using dimensions.  Even when I get the standards set the way I want them there are still many things that I want to dimension to and SP says "nothing found to dimension to" or something like that.  Coming from a long history on Autocad where I could click on ANYTHING and get a dimension I am really frustrated. 

 

I find that sometimes the only to get a dimension to something is to place a tiny line there and then most times my extension line will latch to that.  Is there a better way to get those random odd dimensions?

 

Is there any tutorial that goes really in depth about dimensions?

[Keith Almond]

Use Dimension Point, and you can dimension from any point you can click on to any other point you can click on - although you can't do ORTHO dimensions the way AutoCad would.

[Dennis Hilborn]

I've tried that.  But what I end up with is unacceptable.  I get a dimension between two points but no extension lines.  I need an easy way to apply and extension line anywhere needed so I can put a dimension line to it.  There must be something I'm missing here.  Dimensions are too important to be this hard to put on a drawing.  Am I going to have to do everything except dimensions in SP and then export to Autocad to do the dimensions/

[Gary McKeon]

Love to help you out here Dennis but need more information. Long autocad life on my part and can happily say that it is in no way superior to Softplan. One thing you HAVE to remember though is that Softplan does not "think" like autocad so you have to start looking at using the program differently than you do the other. So, with that being said, give us a couple of specific examples and we will, collectively, try to help you.

[Tom Rogers]

What specifically can you not dimension?  The only thing that I have to add a point to to add an extension is an angled wall when I went to know the vertical and horizontal offset of the wall. Like a corner fireplace. 

[Sam Morgan]

Definitely need more specific examples.  I can't think of a single instance where I couldn't dimension something the way I wanted

[Kevin Rabenaldt]

One thing to try if you are having difficulties dimension to something.  Use a line to dimension from something.  Then turn on snap, grab the object you want to dimension to, unlock cursor, move the object to near the place you want it  It should snap to the line.  If you need it to position to a point then draw a second line that intersects the first line at the position you need.  Again this second line can be dimension-ed from something to properly place.

 

If your object is already placed, then turn on snap, draw a line, move it to the object, then dimension to the line.

 

You can also use lines starting at your from part and do at offset from this line.

 

Need to know more detail to give you a more specific recommendation.

 

Utilizing snap can be your solution.

[Brent Hyndman]

Hi Dennis.

 

If you can provide more information about what you are trying to dimension to we can be of more help here on the forum. If you'd prefer to send a drawing to support, got to 'Help' from within a drawing and create a support ticket. Be sure to explain where you're having difficulties on the drawings attached to the ticket.

 

The one thing I noticed in your original post is that you make no mention of using extensions but mention them in a later post. SoftPlan can dimension 'through' just about anything but you need to cross two items to form a dimension line. If what you want is Extensions, those need to be pulled from the item(s) and then Dimensions can be run through the extensions. You can also experiment with the Single, Item and Group Extension tools as well as the Auto-Dimension options.

 

For a good example of extensioning and dimensioning items, See the Introductory Training tutorial on your Start Page. The #11- Bathroom Design lesson, at about the 2:30 minute  mark goes through extension formats and dimensioning to symbols.

 

Dimension Point is a very useful feature for some specific cases such as dimensioning a building corner to a point perpendicular to a Site Property line or setback line. Using lines as extensions should not be done on a regular basis but only when absolutely necessary as the line will not attach to, and move the item it is 'Extensioning'.