How to Create Ordinate Dimensions in BricsCAD

Quick answer: An ordinate dimension annotates the perpendicular distance from the origin of the current coordinate system, WCS or UCS, made up of an X or Y coordinate plus a leader. Because the origin itself is the reference point, setting up your coordinate system correctly beforehand (covered on this hub’s user coordinate systems page) is a genuine prerequisite here.

What an Ordinate Dimension Measures

An X-ordinate dimension measures distance along the X-axis; a Y-ordinate measures along the Y-axis. As you select points, BricsCAD automatically detects which one you mean based on the direction you drag the second point, though you can also specify it manually. Ordinate dimension text always aligns with its leader lines, regardless of whatever text orientation the current dimension style specifies.

Creating an Ordinate Dimension

1. Set the origin of the coordinate system at the reference point you want the ordinate dimensions measured from.
2. Launch DIMORDINATE. You’re prompted to select a point for the ordinate dimension.
3. Specify a point; it displays dynamically, and you’re prompted for a leader endpoint, or to choose Xdatum, Ydatum, Text, or Angle.
4. Click to position the ordinate dimension.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does BricsCAD know whether I want an X-ordinate or a Y-ordinate? It detects automatically based on the direction you drag the second point, though you can also specify Xdatum or Ydatum manually if you want to be explicit.

Does the current dimension style control how ordinate dimension text is oriented? No, ordinate dimension text always aligns with its leader lines instead, regardless of the dimension style’s own text orientation setting.

Why do I need to move my coordinate system origin before creating an ordinate dimension? Because the origin itself is the reference point every ordinate dimension measures from, so it needs to be positioned correctly first.

Can I use either the WCS or a custom UCS as the reference for ordinate dimensions? Yes, the origin can come from either the World Coordinate System or a User Coordinate System you’ve defined yourself.