DIMCONTINUE Command

Continues a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the second extension line of the previous dimension or a selected dimension

Dimension toolbar:
Dimension menu: Continue
Command line: dimcontinue


DIMCONTINUE draws a series of related dimensions, such as several shorter dimensions that add up to the total measurement. Continued dimensioning is also known as chain dimensioning.

Note: When you create linear continued dimensions, the first extension line is suppressed and the placement of text and arrowheads might include a leader line. These appear as overrides for the continued dimension (the DIMSE1 system variable is on and the DIMFIT system variable is 4).

The prompts that follow depend on the most recent dimension created in the current session of AutoCAD LT: no prior dimension, linear, ordinate, or angular.

No Prior Dimension (DIMCONTINUE)

If no dimension has been created in the current session, AutoCAD LT prompts you to select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the basis for the continued dimension.

Select continued dimension: Select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension

After you select a continued dimension, AutoCAD LT displays additional prompts depending on the type of dimension you select: linear, ordinate, or angular. To end the command, press ENTER or ESC. The units settings, tolerance settings, and current text style determine the appearance of the text.

Linear Dimension

If the previous dimension was linear, AutoCAD LT prompts

Specify a Second Extension Line Origin or (<select>/Undo): Specify a point (1) or press ENTER to select a continued dimension

AutoCAD LT uses the first extension line origin of the continued dimension for the first extension line origin of the next dimension. After you specify a point, AutoCAD LT draws the dimension and redisplays the Specify a Second Extension Line Origin prompt. To end the command, press ESC. If you press ENTER at the Specify a Second Extension Line Origin prompt, AutoCAD LT prompts you to select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the continued dimension.

Select continued dimension: Select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension

After you select a continued dimension, AutoCAD LT redisplays the Specify a Second Extension Line Origin prompt. To end the command, press ESC. The units settings, tolerance settings, and current style determine the appearance of the text.

Ordinate or Angular Dimension

If the previous dimension was angular or ordinate, AutoCAD LT prompts

Specify a point on an object or (<select>/Undo): Specify a point, snap to an object, or press ENTER to select a continued dimension

AutoCAD LT uses the first extension line origin of the continued dimension for the first extension line origin of the next dimension. After you specify a point, AutoCAD LT draws the dimension and redisplays the Specify a Point prompt. If you press ENTER at the Select Next Feature prompt, AutoCAD LT prompts you to select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension to use as the continued dimension.

Select continued dimension: Select a linear, ordinate, or angular dimension

After you select a continued dimension, AutoCAD LT redisplays the Select Next Feature prompt. To end the command, press ESC. The units settings, tolerance settings, and current text style determine the appearance of the text.

Related Commands: DDIM controls dimension styles and settings such as units and style. DDEDIT controls how single line text is displayed. To modify the appearance of dimension and the dimension text use DDEDIT, DIMEDIT, and DIMTEDIT.
System Variables: DIMFIT controls how the dimension line, text, and arrowheads are positioned within the measured points.