How to Edit Dimensions in BricsCAD

Quick answer: Dimensions can be edited with grips, by editing, rotating, or repositioning the dimension text, by restoring the text to its default position, or by making extension lines oblique.

Using Grips to Edit a Linear Dimension

1. Select the dimension; five grips appear: two origin point grips, two dimension line grips, and one dimension text grip.
2. Optionally drag an origin point grip to adjust that origin point; the dimension text adjusts automatically.
3. Optionally drag a dimension line grip to move the dimension line.
4. Optionally drag the text grip to move the dimension text.

Depending on DIMTMOVE, the dimension line either moves together with the text, or the text moves independently; set to “Move text, add leader,” a leader draws automatically. Select two adjacent (continued) dimensions together, and you can move their coinciding grips simultaneously.

Editing the Dimension Text

Four ways: open the MText editor with DDEDIT or by double-clicking the dimension, use the Text override field in the Properties panel, use the Edit Text option of DIMEDIT, or edit the Primary units or Alternate units fields directly in the Properties panel.

Formatting Dimension Text

Use these tags in the text fields to format primary and alternate units:

Use these to append units to dimension values. The default font for alternate dimension text is set by FONTALT.

Some worked examples: typing %%c\L<> cm in the Text override field displays the diameter symbol, followed by the underlined measured value, followed by “cm”. Typing \X\f in the Dim suffix field, ;( in the Alt prefix field, and )\f in the Alt suffix field produces a different combined result, and typing \P\f in Dim suffix, ;\fArial; in Alt prefix, and \f in Alt suffix produces yet another, switching to Arial for the alternate portion specifically.

Rotating Dimension Text

1. Click Rotate Dimension Text on the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel, choose it from the Dimensions menu, or run DIMEDIT and choose Rotate text. You’re prompted for the angle of dimension text.
2. Type a value and press Enter. You’re prompted to select entities to rotate.
3. Select the dimensions and press Enter.

Repositioning Dimension Text

1. Click Reposition Dimension Text on the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel, choose it from the Dimensions menu, or run DIMTEDIT. You’re prompted to select dimensions.
2. Select one; its text moves dynamically as you move the cursor.
3. Click to reposition it.

Restoring Text Position

1. Click Restore Text Position on the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel, choose it from the Dimensions menu, or run DIMEDIT and choose Restore text. You’re prompted to select dimensions.
2. Select them and press Enter.

Making Extension Lines Oblique

1. Click Make Oblique on the Dimensions toolbar or ribbon panel, choose it from the Dimensions menu, or run DIMEDIT and choose Oblique lines. You’re prompted to select linear dimensions.
2. Select them and press Enter. You’re prompted for an obliquing angle.
3. Type a value and press Enter.

To restore non-rotated extension lines, repeat the procedure and type 0 at the obliquing angle prompt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I show alternate units in dimension text even if they’re switched off in the style? Use the [] tag, which inserts alternate units regardless of the current dimension style’s setting.

What’s the difference between rotating dimension text and repositioning it? Rotating changes the angle of the text itself. Repositioning moves where the text sits without changing its angle.

How do I undo an obliquing angle I’ve applied to extension lines? Run the same Make Oblique procedure again and type 0 when prompted for the angle.

Can I move two adjacent dimensions’ grips together at once? Yes, if they’re continued dimensions with coinciding grips, selecting both lets you move those shared grips simultaneously.