About Dimension Generation

Dimensions are generated according to the 3D constraints which belong to the object referenced by the view. In other words, when creating a view of a 3D representation (part or product) with associated constraints, the dimensions corresponding to these constraints (and only these) will be generated.

As a generated dimension is linked to a 3D feature or constraint, you cannot modify its type in the drawing. For example, you cannot swap a generated diameter dimension to a radius dimension.

In a view, generated dimensions are associative to the 3D constraints, as well as to the 2D elements that are projected from the 3D representation (the 2D elements themselves being associative to the 3D). Therefore, if the 3D constraints or 3D representation are modified, generated dimensions will be seen as being not-up-to-date and will need to be updated.

Important: Generated dimensions are not computed in unfolded views. In the case of views that are generated from surfaces, only sketched constraints are generated. When a description is associated to the 3D thread, this description is always displayed in the generated thread dimension.

A generated dimension is positioned on the most representative view, that is the view:

• On which this dimension can be generated.
• On which this dimension is better visualized (for example, on a view where hidden lines are not displayed).
• With a bigger scale.
• That contains the most dimensions.

Before generating dimensions, you will need to configure the dimension generation options in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Mechanical Systems > Drafting > Generation section.

For more information, see Generation.

Constraints may be of three kinds:

• Created manually via the Sketcher app.
• Created manually via the 3D representation.
• Created automatically via internal parameters.

The table below lists constrained 3D elements and the resulting generated dimensions.

Constrained 3D Elements	Generated Dimension Types
Sketcher	All dimensions
3D part	Angle, distance
User-defined features	All published dimensions of elements included in the user-defined feature
Pad	Distance
Pocket	Distance
Shaft/Groove	Angle
Hole:	Constraints and associated dimensions:
- Simple
- Tapered
- Counterbored
- Countersunk
- Counterdrilled
- Threaded
Fillet constraint variable	Radius/Radii
Shell	Distance
Thickness	Distance
Stiffener	Distance