Understanding Fake Dimensions in AutoCAD
Creating fake dimensions in AutoCAD can be useful for various purposes, such as drafting presentations, generating design concepts, or simplifying complex designs for clarity. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this.
Step 1: Prepare Your Drawing
Before you can add fake dimensions, ensure your drawing is properly set up. This involves checking that all relevant objects are in place and that the drawing scale matches your needs. Set the drawing units by typing UNITS
and selecting the appropriate options for your project.
Step 2: Create a New Dimension Style
To differentiate fake dimensions from genuine measurements, create a new dimension style:
- Access the Dimension Style Manager by typing
DIMSTYLE
in the command line. - Click on the “New” button to initiate a new dimension style.
- Assign a name that indicates it is a fake dimension style and click “Continue.”
- Within the new style creation window, navigate to the “Symbols and Arrows” tab. Adjust settings such as arrow types and text placement according to your design needs.
- Save the new style by clicking “OK,” then close the Dimension Style Manager.
Step 3: Adding Fake Dimensions
With your fake dimension style created, you can start adding these dimensions to your drawing:
- Select the dimension tool from the Annotation panel or type
DIM
in the command line. - Click on the vertices or points of the objects you wish to dimension. Use your mouse to position the dimension line where it best fits your layout.
- After placing the dimension, you can edit its properties by selecting the dimension and using the properties window. Modify the text to represent the desired fake measurement rather than an actual calculation.
Step 4: Adjust Dimension Appearance
To ensure that your fake dimensions are distinct from real ones, make the following adjustments:
- Change the color of the text and dimension lines by selecting the dimension, right-clicking, and choosing properties.
- Select “Primary Units” under the “Fit” tab in the Dimension Style Manager to set a specific scale or measurement format that differs from your actual dimensions.
- Optionally, increase or decrease the font size or line thickness to further differentiate them.
Step 5: Final Review and Adjustments
After adding your fake dimensions, take time to double-check their placement and style:
- Zoom in on the dimensions to ensure they are correctly aligned and readable.
- Make adjustments as necessary, by selecting dimensions and dragging them to the preferred location or resizing them.
- If you find any dimension that doesn’t look aligned, modify it using the properties window or by dragging.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use fake dimensions for official project documentation?
No, fake dimensions should not be used in official documentation as they may mislead the recipients. Use them only for design concepts or internal drafts.
2. How do I revert fake dimensions back to actual dimensions?
You can change the dimension style back to the standard style and manually adjust the measurements to reflect the real dimensions.
3. Is there a way to group fake dimensions for easier management?
Yes, you can use blocks or layers to group fake dimensions together. Assign a dedicated layer for fake dimensions for better visibility and management.