DDIM Command

Creates and modifies dimension styles

	Dimensioning toolbar:
	Dimension menu: Dimension Style
	Command line:ddim

The Dimension Styles dialog box is displayed.

A dimension style is a saved set of dimension settings that determines the appearance of the dimension. By creating dimension styles, you can set all relevant dimensioning system variables and control the layout and appearance of any dimension.

Dimension styles can have families of settings. For example, within a dimension style you may create a variation for radial dimensions and another variation for angular dimensions. AutoCAD LT uses the appropriate dimension style family member for the type of dimension you create. If there are no differences in settings for a dimension type, the parent dimension style settings are used.

Dimension Styles Dialog Box

You can define all dimension style settings in this dialog box except the settings saved in the DIMSHO and DIMASO system variables.

Dimension Style

Use the options under Dimension Style to load, save, add, rename, or make current a dimension style.

• Current. Displays the name of the current dimension style. From the list, select the name of a dimension style to make it the current style.

Note: This list also displays the names of dimension styles associated with external references. To make changes to an externally referenced dimension style, you must copy the style and give it a new name.


• Name. Displays the name of the selected dimension style. Enter a new name when renaming a style or creating a new style.

Note: You cannot change or rename the STANDARD dimension style.


• Save. Saves a new or changed dimension style with the name entered in Name.
• Rename. Renames the dimension style selected in Current to the name entered in Name.

Family

Select the family type for the selected dimension style. To set variables for a specific family member, use the family type using the Geometry, Format, and Annotation dialog boxes.

• Parent. Changes all dimension style family types.
• Linear. Changes the linear family type.
• Radial. Changes the radial family type.
• Angular. Changes the angular family type.
• Diameter. Changes the diameter family type.
• Ordinate. Changes the ordinate family type.
• Leader. Select to make changes to the leader family type.

Geometry

Defines the appearance of lines, arrowheads, and center marks, and changes the overall scale of the dimension with the Geometry dialog box.

Format

Defines the location of dimension text, arrowheads, leader lines, and the dimension line with the Format dialog box.

Annotation

Defines the appearance of dimension text with the Annotation dialog box.

Controls the appearance of the geometry and overall scale of the dimension.

Dimension Line

Controls the appearance of the dimension line.

Suppress

Suppresses the display of dimension lines when they continue outside the extension lines.

• 1^st. Suppresses the display of the first dimension line. The DIMSD1 system variable is set to On.
• 2^nd. Suppresses the display of the second dimension line. The DIMSD2 system variable is set to On.
• Spacing. Sets the spacing between the dimension lines of a baseline dimension. The value is stored in the DIMDLI system variable.
• Color. Sets the color of the dimension line with the Select Color dialog box. The value is stored in the DIMCLRD system variable.

Extension

Sets the distance to extend the dimension line past the extension line when oblique strokes (tick marks) are set as the arrowheads of the dimension. The value is stored in the DIMDLE system variable.

Suppress

Suppresses the display of extension lines.

• 1^st. Suppresses the display of the first extension line. The DIMSE1 system variable is set to On.
• 2^nd. Suppresses the display of the second extension line. The DIMSE2 system variable is set to On.
• Extension. Sets the distance to extend the extension lines above the dimension line. The value is stored in the DIMEXE system variable.
• Origin Offset. Sets the distance to offset the extension lines from the points on the drawing that define the dimension. The value is stored in the DIMEXO system variable.
• Color. Sets the color of the extension line with the Select Color dialog box. The value selected is stored in the DIMCLRE system variable.

Arrowheads (Geometry Dialog Box)

Controls the appearance of the arrowheads in a dimension.

• 1st. Select the type of arrowhead for the first arrowhead. The value is stored in the DIMBLK1 system variable. If you select a different type of arrowhead in 2nd, this value is stored in DIMBLK2.

Note: To select a user-created block as the arrowhead, choose User Arrow. The User Arrow dialog box is displayed.


• 2nd. Select the type of arrowhead for the second arrowhead. If you selected a different type of arrowhead in 1st, this value is stored in the DIMBLK1 system variable.

Note: To select a user-created block as the arrowhead, choose User Arrow. The User Arrow dialog box is displayed.


• Size. Enter a value for the size of the arrowheads. The value is stored in the DIMASZ system variable.

Center (Geometry Dialog Box)

Controls the appearance of center marks and lines for diameter and radial dimensions.

• Mark. Creates a center mark.
• Line. Creates a center line.
• None. Does not create a center mark or center line.
• Size. Specifies a value for the size of the center mark or center line. This value is stored in the DIMCEN system variable.

Scale (Geometry Dialog Box)

Sets the dimension scale in the drawing.

• Overall Scale. Enter a value for the scale factor for all dimensioning that specifies sizes, distances, and spacing. The scale factor affects text and arrowhead sizes, but does not affect tolerances, measured lengths, coordinates, or angles. The value is stored in the DIMSCALE system variable.
• Scale to Paper Space. Determines a scale factor based on the scaling between the current model space viewport and paper space. The DIMSCALE system variable is set to 0. If the TILEMODE system variable is set to 1 or if you are working in paper space but not a model space viewport, the DIMSCALE system variable is set to the default value of 1.0.

User Arrow Dialog Box

• Arrow Name. Enter the name of the alternate block you want to use as the arrowhead for the dimension.

Format Dialog Box

• User Defined. Select to have AutoCAD LT prompt you for the dimension text position when you create a dimension. AutoCAD LT ignores any horizontal justification setting. The DIMUPT system variable is set to 1. If this option is not selected, AutoCAD LT uses the settings under Horizontal Justification to determine the location of dimension text. The DIMUPT system variable is set to 0.
• Force Line Inside. Select to have AutoCAD LT dimension lines between the measured points of the dimension even when arrowheads are placed outside the measured points. The DIMTOFL system variable is set to 1.

Fit
Controls the placement of text and arrowheads inside or outside the extension lines based on the space available between the extension lines. If space is available, text and arrows are placed inside the extension lines.

• Text and Arrows. Places the text and arrows outside the extension lines if they will not fit between the extension lines. When you move the dimension text, the dimension line moves with it.
• Text Only. Places the arrows inside and the text outside the extension lines if they will not both fit between the extension lines. If there is still not enough space for the text, it is placed outside the extension lines with the arrowheads. When you move the dimension text, the dimension line moves with it.
• Arrows Only. Places the text inside and the arrowheads outside the extension lines if they will not both fit between the extension lines. If there is still not enough space for the text, it is placed outside the extension lines with the arrowheads. When you move the dimension text, the dimension line moves with it.
• Best Fit. Places the text, arrowheads, or text and arrowheads inside the extension lines if space is available. When you move the dimension text, the dimension line moves with it.
• Leader. Creates a leader line to the text if it does not fit between the extension lines. When you move the dimension text, it is independent of the dimension line.
• No Leader. Places text above the dimension line without a leader line if it does not fit between the extension lines. When you move the dimension text, it is independent of the dimension line.

Horizontal Justification

Controls the horizontal justification of dimension text along the dimension line and the extension line.

• 1st Extension Line. Left-justifies the dimension text with the first extension line along the dimension line. The offset distance between the extension line and the dimension text is twice the arrowhead size plus the text gap value.
• 2nd Extension Line. Right-justifies the dimension text with the second extension line along the dimension line. The offset distance between the extension line and the dimension text is twice the arrowhead size plus the text gap value.
• Over 1st Extension Line. Positions the dimension text over or along the first extension line.
• Over 2nd Extension Line. Positions the dimension text over or along the second extension line.

Text

Controls the position of dimension text inside and outside the extension lines.

• Inside Horizontal. Places text that is between extension lines in a horizontal position. The DIMTIH system variable is set to On.
• Outside Horizontal. Places text that is outside the extension lines in a horizontal position. The DIMTOH system variable is set to On.

Vertical Justification

Controls the vertical justification of dimension text along the dimension line.

• Centered. Centers the dimension text between the extension lines. The DIMTAD system variable is set to 0.
• Above. Places the dimension text above the dimension line. The DIMTAD system variable is set to 1.
• Outside. Places the dimension text on the side of the dimension line farthest from the first defining point. The DIMTAD system variable is set to 2.
• JIS. Places the dimension text in conformance to a Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) representation. The DIMTAD system variable is set to 3.

Annotation Dialog Box

Controls the appearance of dimension text.

Primary Units (Annotation Dialog Box)

• Units. Specifies the primary measurement units with the Primary Units dialog box.
• Prefix. Enter the characters of the prefix for the dimension text. You can use control codes to add special symbols to the prefix. For a list of available control codes, see DTEXT. The prefix you enter is displayed instead of any default prefixes. This setting is stored in the DIMPOST system variable.
• Suffix. Enter the characters of the suffix for the dimension text. You can use control codes to add special symbols to the suffix. For a list of available control codes, see DTEXT. If you specify tolerances for the dimension, the suffix is added to the tolerance. This setting is stored in the DIMPOST system variable.

Tolerance (Annotation Dialog Box)

Creates tolerances for dimension text

Method

Select the type of tolerance you want to add to the dimension text.

• None. Does not add a tolerance. The DIMTOL system variable is set to 0.
• Symmetrical. Adds a plus/minus expression of tolerance in which a single value of variation is applied to the dimension measurement. A ± symbol followed by a tolerance value is displayed after the dimension. Enter the tolerance value in Lower Value. The DIMTOL system variable is set to 1. The DIMLIM system variable is set to 0.
• Deviation. Adds a plus/minus expression of tolerance in which different plus and minus values of variation are applied to the dimension measurement. A + symbol is added to the tolerance value entered in Upper Value and a - symbol is added to the tolerance value entered in Lower Value. The DIMTOL system variable is set to 1. The DIMLIM system variable is set to 0.
• Limits. Creates a limit dimension in which a maximum and a minimum value are displayed, one over the other. The maximum value is the dimension value plus the value entered in Upper Value. The minimum value is the dimension value minus the value entered in Lower Value. The DIMTOL system variable is set to 0. The DIMLIM system variable is set to 1.
• Basic. Creates a basic dimension in which a box is drawn around the full extents of the dimension. The distance between the text and the box is stored as a negative value in the DIMGAP system variable.

Upper Value

Enter the maximum or upper tolerance value. This value is stored in the DIMTP system variable.

Lower Value

Enter the minimum or lower tolerance value. This value is stored in the DIMTM system variable.

Justification

Select an option to set the text justification of symmetrical and deviation tolerances.

• Top. Aligns the tolerance value with the top of the dimension text. The DIMTOLJ system variable is set to 2.
• Middle. Aligns the tolerance value with the middle of the dimension text. The DIMTOLJ system variable is set to 1.
• Bottom. Aligns the tolerance value with the bottom of the dimension text. The DIMTOLJ system variable is set to 0.

Height

Enter the value for the ratio of the height of the tolerance text to the height of the dimension text. For example, if you enter 0.75, the height of the tolerance text is three-quarters the height of the dimension text. This value is stored in the DIMTFAC system variable.

Alternate Units (Annotation Dialog Box)

Controls the display of the alternate measurement units of dimension text. You cannot add alternate measurement units to the Angular dimension style family.

• Enable Units. Adds alternate measurement units to dimension text.
• Units. Specifies the alternate measurement units with the Alternate Units dialog box.
• Prefix. Enter the characters of the prefix for the alternate dimension text. You can use control codes to add special symbols to the prefix. For a list of available control codes, see DTEXT. The prefix you enter is displayed instead of any default prefixes. This setting is stored in the DIMAPOST system variable.
• Suffix. Enter the characters of the suffix for the alternate dimension text. You can use control codes to add special symbols to the suffix. For a list of available control codes, see DTEXT. If you specify tolerances for the dimension, the suffix is added to the tolerance. This setting is stored in the DIMAPOST system variable.

Text (Annotation Dialog Box)

Controls the properties of dimension text.

• Style. Select the text style for the dimension text. To create or change text styles, see DDSTYLE. This value is stored in the DIMTXSTY system variable.
• Height. Enter the value for the size of the dimension text. This value is stored in the DIMTXT system variable.
• Gap. Enter the value for the size of the gap that separates the dimension text from the dimension lines. This value is stored in the DIMGAP system variable.
• Color. Sets the color of the dimension text with the Select Color dialog box. The value is stored in the DIMCLRT system variable.

Round Off (Annotation Dialog Box)

Enter the value to which you want to round off the dimension values. For example, if you enter a value of 0.25, the dimension values are rounded to the nearest 0.25 unit. This value is stored in the DIMRND system variable.

Note: You cannot round off angular dimensions.

Primary Units Dialog Box

Controls the primary measurement units.

• Units. Select the unit format in which you want dimension values displayed. This values is stored in the DIMUNIT system variable. You cannot set the dimension units for the Angular family member.
• Dimension. Controls the precision and suppression of zeros for the dimension.
• Zero Suppression. Controls the display of leading and trailing zeros and zero feet and inches. This value is stored in the DIMZIN system variable.
• Leading. Eliminates display of leading zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 0.500 becomes .500.
• Trailing. Eliminates display of trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 12.500 becomes 12.5 and the value 30.00 becomes 30.
• 0 Feet. Does not display a foot value of zero when the dimension is less than 1 foot in length. For example, the value 0'-6 1/2" becomes 6 1/2".
• 0 Inches. Does not display an inch value of zero when the dimension is an integral number of feet. For example, the value 1'-0" becomes 1'.
• Angles. Select the unit format for angular dimension values. This value is stored in the DIMAUNIT system variable.
• Tolerance. Controls the precision and suppression of zeros for tolerance text.
• Precision. Select a value for the number of decimal places of precision measured for the tolerance text. When the Parent dimension family member is selected, the precision is based on the units or angle format you selected. This value is stored in the DIMTDEC system variable.
• Zero Suppression. Controls the display of leading and trailing zeros and zero feet and inches. This value is stored in the DIMZIN system variable.
• Leading. Eliminates display of leading zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 0.500 becomes .500.
• Trailing. Eliminates display of trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 12.500 becomes 12.5 and the value 30.00 becomes 30.
• 0 Feet. Does not display a foot value of zero when the dimension is less than 1 foot in length. For example, the value 0'-6 1/2" becomes 6 1/2".
• 0 Inches. Does not display an inch value of zero when the dimension is an integral number of feet. For example, the value 1'-0" becomes 1'.
• Scale. Controls the global scale factor for linear dimension measurements
• Linear. Enter a value for the global scale factor for linear dimension measurements. All linear distances measured by dimensions are multiplied by this value. Angular dimensions and tolerances are not multiplied by this value. This value is stored in the DIMLFAC system variable.
• Paper Space Only. Applies the value entered in Linear only to dimensions created in paper space. This sets the length scale factor for objects in a model space viewport. This option is not available when the Leader or Angular family member types are selected.

Alternate Units Dialog Box

Controls the alternate measurement units.

• Units. Select the unit format for alternate dimension values. This value is stored in the DIMALTU system variable. You cannot set the dimension units for the Angular family member.
• Dimension. Controls the precision and suppression of zeros for the dimension.
• Zero Suppression. Controls the display of leading and trailing zeros and zero feet and inches. This value is stored in the DIMZIN system variable.
• Leading. Eliminates display of leading zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 0.500 becomes .500.
• Trailing. Eliminates display of trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 12.500 becomes 12.5 and the value 30.00 becomes 30.
• 0 Feet. Does not display a foot value of zero when the dimension is less than 1 foot in length. For example, the value 0'-6 1/2" becomes 6 1/2".
• 0 Inches. Does not display an inch value of zero when the dimension is an integral number of feet. For example, the value 1'-0" becomes 1'.
• Angles. Select the unit format for angular dimension values. This value is stored in the DIMAUNIT system variable.
• Tolerance. Controls the precision and suppression of zeros for tolerance text.
• Precision. Select a value for the number of decimal places of precision measured for the tolerance text. When the Parent dimension family member is selected, the precision is based on the units or angle format you selected. This value is stored in the DIMTDEC system variable.
• Zero Suppression. Controls the display of leading and trailing zeros and zero feet and inches. This value is stored in the DIMZIN system variable.
• Leading. Eliminates display of leading zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 0.500 becomes .500.
• Trailing. Eliminates display of trailing zeros in all decimal dimensions. For example, the value 12.500 becomes 12.5 and the value 30.00 becomes 30.
• 0 Feet. Does not display a foot value of zero when the dimension is less than 1 foot in length. For example, the value 0'-6 1/2" becomes 6 1/2".
• 0 Inches. Does not display an inch value of zero when the dimension is an integral number of feet. For example, the value 1'-0" becomes 1'.
• Scale. Controls the global scale factor for linear dimension measurements
• Linear. Enter a value for the global scale factor for linear dimension measurements. All linear distances measured by dimensions are multiplied by this value. Angular dimensions and tolerances are not multiplied by this value. This value is stored in the DIMLFAC system variable.
• Paper Space Only. Applies the value entered in Linear only to dimensions created in paper space. This sets the length scale factor for objects in a model space viewport. This option is not available when the Leader or Angular family member types are selected.

Related Commands: DIMSTYLE creates and modifies dimension styles at the Command prompt. For creating and modifying dimension objects, refer to the dimensioning commands, which begin with the prefix DIM. LIST lists database information for selected objects. You can use it to query the overridden dimensioning system variables.