How to Open Dimension Style Manager in AutoCAD 2018?

Accessing the Dimension Style Manager in AutoCAD 2018

The Dimension Style Manager is a critical feature in AutoCAD that allows you to create, modify, and manage your dimension styles. Properly accessing this tool will enable you to customize dimensions effectively to meet your drafting needs. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to open the Dimension Style Manager in AutoCAD 2018.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Open the Dimension Style Manager

1. Launch AutoCAD: Start by opening your AutoCAD application. Ensure that your workspace is set and you’re in the drawing where you want to manage dimensions.

2. Access the Home Tab: Look for the ribbon at the top of your AutoCAD interface. Click on the Home tab to switch to this essential workspace.

3. Find the Annotation Panel: Within the Home tab, locate the Annotation panel. This section contains tools that are vital for adding notes, dimensions, and annotations to your drawings.

4. Open Dimension Style Manager: From the Annotation panel, locate the Dimension Style button. Clicking this will directly open the Dimension Style Manager window. Alternatively, you can also type DIMSTY or simply D in the command line prompt and hit Enter.

5. Using the Dimension Style Manager:

   • Once the Dimension Style Manager opens, you will see a list of existing dimension styles.
   • To create a new style, click on the New button. You can name your new style and start customizing it by modifying various parameters such as text size, arrowhead type, and scale factors.
   • If you want to change an existing style, select it, and then click on Modify to change its settings.
6. Saving Changes: After you have made your desired changes, make sure to save the updates either by clicking the Save button or by selecting the appropriate option in the menu.

Additional Tools for Managing Dimensions

• Dimension Tools: You can access various dimension tools from the Dimensions panel located in the Annotate tab. This area allows you to add dimensions such as linear, angular, or radial directly to your drawing.

• Dimension Style Overrides: If you wish to temporarily override a dimension style for specific dimensions, select the dimension object and then use the Property Palette to change its properties.

Quick Tips

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts like DIMSTY for quick access to the Dimension Style Manager.
• Cleaning Up Styles: Regularly review and clean up unnecessary dimension styles to keep your workspace organized.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of dimension styles in AutoCAD?
Dimension styles provide a collection of settings that define how dimensions appear in your drawing. This includes arrow styles, text placement, and other formatting options, ensuring consistency throughout your documentation.

2. Can I import dimension styles from other drawings in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can import dimension styles from other drawings using the Design Center. Simply drag and drop the desired style into your current drawing from the Design Center.

3. How can I reset a dimension style to its default settings in AutoCAD?
To reset a dimension style to its default, open the Dimension Style Manager, select the style you wish to reset, and click on the Restore button. This action will revert the selected style back to its original default configuration.