Creating Curvilinear Dimensions

You can create curvilinear dimensions which measures the overall length of a complete curve.

Important:

  • The curvilinear length symbol is defined in the standards.

  • You cannot measure only portion of a curve.

  • In some cases, depending on the curve and on the offset value, the offset representation mode cannot be computed (because the dimension line cannot intersect with itself along the curve): you will not be able to position the dimension further than a certain limit.

  • You cannot change the dimension line representation mode after the dimension has been created.

Before you begin: Open an existing 3D shape.
See Also
Dimension Styles
  1. From the Annotation section of the action bar, click Curvilinear Dimensions .
  2. Select a curve or an edge.



    The dimension is previewed. By default, the dimension line is linear.

  3. Right-click in the 3D area and select Offset representation mode for the dimension line.
    Note:

    There are three kinds of representation mode:

    • Offset: displays the dimension line as an offset curve of the projection of the measured curve.
    • Parallel: displays the dimension line as a parallel curve of the projection of the measured curve.
    • Linear: displays the dimension line as a straight line, parallel to the direction defined by the limit points of the measured curve.

    The dimension line is modified accordingly.



  4. Optional: Drag the dimension line or the dimension value to position them as you want.
  5. Click in the 3D area to validate and end the dimension creation.

    The semi-arc symbol displayed over the dimension value symbolizes a curvilinear length dimension. You can now handle the dimension just like any other dimension.