How To Change Dimension Tolerance In AutoCAD?

Understanding Dimension Tolerances in AutoCAD

Dimension tolerances are essential in technical drawings, allowing engineers and architects to communicate acceptable limits on variations in measurements. Adjusting these tolerances in AutoCAD can enhance your drawings’ accuracy and clarity.

Steps to Change Dimension Tolerances in AutoCAD

1. Open the Dimension Style Manager

   • Navigate to the Annotate tab on the ribbon.
   • Locate the Dimensions panel and click on the option labeled Tolerance. This action opens the Geometric Tolerance dialog box.

2. Select the Dimension Style

   • In the dialog, find the area marked Sym. Click on the first square to reveal a list of symbols. Choose the appropriate tolerance symbol from this selection to include in your drawing.

3. Set the Tolerance Value

   • You will see a section labeled Tolerance 1. Click on the first box to input a diameter symbol if needed.
   • Enter the specific numeric value that represents your first tolerance measurement in the Text box.

4. Customize Further if Required

   • If you need to create multiple tolerances, locate subsequent boxes (such as Tolerance 2) and repeat the selection and entry process for additional values and symbols.
5. Finalizing Your Settings
   • After you’ve input all necessary tolerance information, ensure that everything is accurate.
   • Click OK to apply your changes and exit the dialog box.

Changing Dimension Styles in AutoCAD

Changing the style associated with dimensions can also impact how tolerances are displayed:

1. Access Dimension Style

   • Go to the Drafting tab and find the Dimension panel.
   • Click on Dimension Style to open the Dimension Style Manager.

2. Modify the Selected Style

   • In the Dimension Style Manager, select the style you want to modify. Click on the Modify button.

3. Adjusting the Scale

   • Within the Modify Dimension Style dialog, navigate to the Fit tab.
   • Under the Scale for Dimension Features section, enter a new scaling value to ensure your dimensions and associated tolerances are proportionately adjusted.
4. Save Changes
   • Click OK to save your updates and then close the Dimension Style Manager.

Creating Custom Tolerance Settings

1. Setting Up a New Dimension Style

   • To create a custom style with specific tolerances, access the Dimension Style Manager.
   • Click on New to start setting up the parameters for your custom dimension style.

2. Naming and Styling

   • Assign a distinctive name to your new style and select a starting base from existing styles.
   • Ensure to mark it for use in all dimensions.

3. Adjust Primary Units

   • In the Primary Units tab, you can define how dimensions will be formatted. This setup includes entering any required suffixes and adjusting the scale factor to reflect conversions (e.g., inches to centimeters).
4. Define Tolerances
   • Additionally, when setting up or modifying a style, you can specify tolerances directly in the provided fields. This ensures your custom styles automatically incorporate the necessary tolerances every time they’re used.

FAQ

1. How do I ensure my dimensions reflect correct tolerances in AutoCAD?
Make sure to check your dimension styles and modify them to include the correct tolerance settings before starting any dimensioning. Update existing tolerances as needed in your drawings.

2. What are the common types of tolerances I can use in AutoCAD?
The most common types are limit dimensions, unilateral tolerances, and bilateral tolerances. Each serves different engineering needs based on the allowable variation.

3. Is there a way to revert to default settings after making changes in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can return to default settings by accessing the Dimension Style Manager and selecting the option to reset defaults for the selected dimension style.