16 replies to this topic

[Dennis Hilborn]

I have a separate drawing mode set up for dimensions so that my floor plan is less cluttered and easier to read.  There are still some instances where a dimension needs to be put on the floor plan to clarify or verify clearance.  Like the bed space between two windows or dimensions on the electrical plan. 

 

In my old software it would automatically put a dimension on the current layer.  Now I have to go to the dimension drawing, place the dimension, change it to a special layer, then get back to my drawing layer, go to layer setup, make the special layer visible in the drawing.  Is there a better way for those special dimensions that I need?

[Yvon Gonthier]

After you place your dimension, edit that dimension and check "Visible in All Modes"

[Tim Stockton]

You don't really need to put dimensions on another layer as you can turn their visibility on or off by going to: Options-> Visible Items and there select whether or not it is seen.  You can also set up a custom mode to work from where they are not shown.

[Dennis Hilborn]

After you place your dimension, edit that dimension and check "Visible in All Modes"

This may be a better way but I probably don't want it visible in all modes.  I'll see how it works.

[Dennis Hilborn]

You don't really need to put dimensions on another layer as you can turn their visibility on or off by going to: Options-> Visible Items and there select whether or not it is seen.  You can also set up a custom mode to work from where they are not shown.

I'm trying to show a single dimension on the floor plan or the electical plan only.  Not all dimensions, they have their own sheet.

[Tom Rogers]

When I have something like that I just create a new layer (marketing notes, anchor bolts, etc.) I put everything on that layer that i only want to see in a certain situation.  Works well

[Yvon Gonthier]

If you add an extension line and dimension on the electrical plan, by default, unless you edit it to show on all, it will only appear on the electrical plan

[Keith Almond]

Dimension are ALWAYS added to the current layer. So if you only want them to show on the current layer, you have to make sure to add the relevant layer to the visibility in the mode you are using. Under no circumstances should you have to go through the procedure you outlined.

 

I suspect that the only issue is one of what is defined as visible in your custom mode.

[Dennis Hilborn]

Dimension are ALWAYS added to the current layer. So if you only want them to show on the current layer, you have to make sure to add the relevant layer to the visibility in the mode you are using. Under no circumstances should you have to go through the procedure you outlined.

 

I suspect that the only issue is one of what is defined as visible in your custom mode.

Maybe I wasn't clear in the OP.

 

I don't show dimensions on my floor plan drawing.  I have them as a second page with no notes.  Makes the dimensions much clearer and I can add more of them without running over notes etc.

Sometimes I need and "explanation" dimension on the floor plan page for example to show  distance between window edges.  Or on the electrical page.  If I place a dimension there it won't show up.  I have the option of making it visible but then all of the other dimensions show up also.  Not at all what I wanted.

What I do now is put the one dimension I need on a special layer then let that layer show where needed.

 floor plan.png   46.99KB   1 downloads

FLOOR PLAN PAGE

 dimension.png   28.96KB   2 downloads

DIMENSION PAGE

[Keith Almond]

Dennis, it shouldn't matter what you show where.

 

Dimensions will ALWAYS be in the current layer AND in the current mode. Unless you specify VISIBLE IN ALL MODES. So if you want a dimension in the ELECTRICAL MODE, draw it there. If you ONLY want to see it in your custom Mode, draw it there. If you want it to be VISIBLE in all modes you can control that, and you can control the visibility of ALL items in the mode setup. There's NO reason why you have to go through the complicated procedure you described. 

 

Put the dimensions in the drawing on a layer called DIMENSIONS in drawing mode which you control through layer visibility, but in electrical mode, put them on the default layer. They will then be controllable through the mode visibilities NOT layer visibilities.

[Dennis Hilborn]

You are right for the electrical.  I was mistaken on that one.

But, here's what I get when I try to do that on my floorplan.

 

 DIM NOTE.png   27.36KB   2 downloads

 

And if I say yes then ALL dimensions show.  That doesn't work for me.

 

So I guess I'm already doing what I need to be doing to get it the way I want.

 

 

[Paul James]

So, custom modes have their own default notes- but not dimensions? Why would they not have their own dimensions-  like the electrical and review mode?

[Keith Almond]

As I said earlier, the dimensions in ELECTRICAL MODE need to be in the DEFAULT layer. If you put them in the dimension layer, then ALL dimensions will show. As you NEED to TURN the "DIMENSION layer ON if the item is in that layer.

 

The only other option would be to add a layer called ELECTRICAL DIMENSIONS, then you can also turn that on or off at will.

 

For Example: I have a plan with a layer called EXISTING and the proposals are on the DEFAULT layer. I have an existing deck. The issue being that I don't like to show the deck surface - I find it too busy. So if I draw the deck in the default layer, I can go to Visibilities and turn OFF the VISIBILITY of the deck surface. However, If I put the deck into the EXISTING layer, I no longer have the option to turn off the deck surface. The only option is to turn off or on the existing layer. You can either control the ITEM or the LAYER, but not both.

 

You have primarily the same sort of issue. If you put the the dimensions on the Default layer in the relevant mode, then everything should work fine.

[Keith Almond]

So, custom modes have their own default notes- but not dimensions? Why would they not have their own dimensions-  like the electrical and review mode?

 

Dimensions are visible in the mode they are drawn in, OR you can check "VISIBLE IN ALL MODES".

[Mark Petri]

I have layers set up for "floor only", "electrical", "plumbing", "ceiling only", "structure only", etc. I use those layers for drawing items specific to the modes/plan views I want to show for each. If you use a specific layer or building option to draw dimensions you may still get the warning (do you want to show dimensions?) or something when you first draw a dimension, but only what is drawn on the selected layer will show if you leave dimensions unchecked in visibility options.

[Dennis Hilborn]

I have layers set up for "floor only", "electrical", "plumbing", "ceiling only", "structure only", etc. I use those layers for drawing items specific to the modes/plan views I want to show for each. If you use a specific layer or building option to draw dimensions you may still get the warning (do you want to show dimensions?) or something when you first draw a dimension, but only what is drawn on the selected layer will show if you leave dimensions unchecked in visibility options.

This is pretty much the way I do it in SP but I was just wondering if there was a better way.

 

Thanks to all who commented.

[Paul James]

I would make a suggestion for it to work the way you're wanting it to- for dimensions from drawing mode not to show on custom modes- that really is the way it should work.