Dimensions not associative

[moon161]

ACAD 07 / Mechanical desktop, dims are not associating. Most dims created w/ AMPOWERDIM, and DIMASSOC set to 1. Properties of the dim show 'associative' as 'no' w/ no option to change it.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

 

[ohiocad]

Might try setting dimassoc to 2.

How we explain it in generic terms to the guys here:

Dimassoc = 0 : Dimensions are just a collection of lines and text, that happen to line op as extension lines and arrows.

Dimassoc = 1 : Dimensions are smarter, single objects, that if you stretch the nodes, the numbers update. These are independent of any other objects in the drawing.

Dimassoc = 2 : (This is also the setting under Tools -> Options -> User Preferences -> "Make new dimensions associative") Dimensions are smart enough to know what they are tied to. If you dimension a line endpoint to endpoint, it remembers what it is. If you trim the line, the dimension knows to stretch to the new endpoint. (This is the setting, where, if you list it, it says associative yes)

Good points and bad points to Dimassoc 1 and 2, and depends on company standards and preference.

I have never run across many good points for dimassoc = 0, and recommend against it, unless there is a very good reason to use it, and even then, I think twice about it.

 

[ohiocad]

Sorry, forgot to mention, most of my experience is with vanilla acad, and not familiar with mechanical desktop, so all this might be useless......

(Command string I listed is actually from '09, '07 may vary...)

 

[MikeHalloran]

All my experience is also with bare AutoCAD, so this may be completely irrelevant.

Associative dimensions don't work if you're using the NEAR osnap set as a running osnap. Lines at corners will either cross or miss by .003". You'll never find it by inspection.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[cfee]

Dimassoc - 2 is an acad - generic item. Works in all regular acad. Can't say about -LT, suspect same.

Near has a lower setting # than endpt, so gets "seen" first. This is a holdover from ancient acad, but has been made transparent to the modern user. Definitely don't set near as a running osnap if you're dimensioning ! I set it as a running osnap when appropriate, but un-check it when needing end-to-end accuracy, like in dimensioning.