Place a Driving Dimension

In SmartSketch you can place both driving and driven dimensions. A driving dimension has a dimensional value which controls the size of the element. If you use the ribbon bar to change the dimensional value of a driving dimension, the element changes. A driven dimension, on the other hand, has a dimensional value which is controlled by the element to which it refers. If the element changes, the dimensional value changes. 

In this lesson, you will use the tools on the Dimension toolbar to place a driving dimension. 

Click the Show Me   button on the SmartSketch Learning Center toolbar to view a demonstration of the tasks in this lesson.

1. On the File menu, click Open.
2. In the Open dialog box, navigate to C:\PROGRAM FILES\IMAGINE\SMARTSKETCH (or where you installed the SmartSketch tutorials) and open the file PARKING2.IGR.
3. On the Main toolbar, click the Fit button. 
4. Click the Zoom Area button on the Main toolbar, and drag a fence around the parking lot.
5. On the Tools menu, enable the Maintain Relationships options.
6. On the Format menu, click Dimension.
7. On the Format Dimension dialog box, click the Text tab. 
8. Change the Font size to 5.0 mm.
9. Click OK to accept the changes.
10. On the Dimension toolbar, click the SmartDimension button.

Note

• With SmartDimension, you can place linear, radial, or angular dimensions. The type of dimension placed is based on the element that you click next. 

11. Click the fillet and then click to place the dimension.

Notice that on the Dimension ribbon bar, the Driving/Driven button is toggled on (or highlighted). This means that the next dimension to be placed will be a driving dimension. 

Note

Turning off the Maintain Relationships option toggles off the Driving/Driven button so that the next dimension placed is a driven dimension. 

Tip

• You can identify a driving dimension from a driven dimension because they have different colors. To set the colors for driving and driven dimensions, select the dimension and click Properties in the shortcut menu. Then set the options you want on the Properties dialog box.

12. On the Draw toolbar, click the Select Tool .
13. Click the dimension to select it.
14. On the Dimension ribbon bar, type 7.000m in the Dimension Value box.

Notice that both fillets change. 

15. On the Tools menu, turn off the Relationship Handles option.

This turns off the display of relationship handles on elements in the drawing.