About Dimensioning in 2D Layout for 3D Design

This sub-topic provides general information regarding dimensioning in 2D Layout for 3D Design.

The 2D Layout for 3D Design app enables you to create:

• 2D dimensions (measured or driving)
• associative 3D dimensions (measured only)
• associative hybrid dimensions between 2D and 3D elements (measured only)

As dimensioning commands work as in the Interactive Drafting app, most tasks included in the Working with Dimensions and About Dimension Systems sections provide links to the 3D Modeling: Mechanical Systems: Drafting User's Guide. However, there are a few particularities about dimensioning in 2D Layout for 3D Design, as opposed to doing so in Interactive Drafting, which you can learn in this section.

This sub-topic provides information on selecting the elements to dimension.

Dimension commands provide a visual feedback indicating whether it is possible to create dimensions on a given element.

However, you should be aware of the following rule: in a given 3D shape layout, it is impossible to create a dimension for another 3D shape. You can only create dimensions within a single 3D shape layout. For example, in Part.1, it is not possible to store a dimension measuring an element of Part.2.

When selecting elements to dimension, remember the following points:

• Dimensions can be created in any view, even a non-active one.
• After starting a dimension command, the view in which you select the first element is the view of creation (that is the view where the dimension is created).
• You can always select an element belonging to the view content.
• Once you have selected the first element, you can only select the other elements in the view of creation.
• You cannot select as the first element a 2D background element.
• You can select an element which belongs to the 3D background of a 3D shape layout only if this element belongs to the current layout.

The following sub-topics are discussed:

• Dimension on view content
• Dimension on 2D background
• Dimension on 3D background
• Dimension on view content and 2D background
• Dimension on view content and 3D background
• Dimension on 2D background and 3D background

Dimension on view content

Such dimensions can have 1, 2 or 3 reference elements which are either 2D geometry or dress-up. They behave exactly as they do in the Drafting app.

Dimensions on view content in the 2D Layout for 3D Design window

Dimensions on view content in the 3D window

The table below provides additional information about dimension on view content:

Dimension on view content
Available dimensions	Distance, offset, length, curvilinear length, circular length, angle, radius, diameter, chamfer, thread, coordinate, chained, cumulated, stacked
Not-supported dimensions	True length
Available dimension type	Measured, driving (view content element)

Dimension on 3D background

Such dimensions have reference elements which belong exclusively to the 3D background.

Dimensions on 3D background in the 2D Layout for 3D Design window

Dimensions on 3D background in the 3D window

The table below provides additional information about dimension on 3D background:

Dimension on view content
Available dimensions	Distance, length, curvilinear length, circular length, angle, radius, diameter, chamfer, chained, cumulated, stacked
Available dimension type	Measured
Update	There is no automatic update. After a modification on the 3D geometry, the corresponding dimension must be updated with the layout, sheet or view. Note that before update, the views are not seen as being "not up to date"

Dimension on view content and 2D background

Such dimensions have two reference elements which are either 2D geometry or dress-up. Both reference elements (the one in the view content and the one in the 2D background) belong to the same 3D shape layout.

Dimensions on view content and 2D background in the 2D Layout for 3D Design window

Dimensions on view content and 2D background in the 3D window

The table below provides additional information about dimension on view content and 2D background:

Dimension on view content
Available dimensions	Distance, angle
Available dimension type	Measured

Dimension on view content and 3D background

Such dimensions have two reference elements, one of which is either 2D geometry or dress-up, while the other is a 3D element (edge, 3D wireframe). Both reference elements (the one in the view content and the one in the 3D background) belong to the same 3D shape layout.

Dimensions on view content and 3D background in the 2D Layout for 3D Design window

Dimensions on view content and 3D background in the 3D window

The table below provides additional information about dimension on view content and 3D background:

Dimension on view content
Available dimensions	Distance, angle
Available dimension type	Measured

The following sub-topics are discussed:

• True length dimensions
• Dimension systems
• Chamfer dimensions
• Dimensions along a direction

Before you begin creating dimensions in 2D Layout for 3D Design, make sure you are familiar with the concepts listed below.

• The visualization commands available in the View section of the action bar. For more information, see User Interface: View Section.
• SmartPick: an easy-to-use tool designed to assist you when creating dimensions. For more information, see Using SmartPick.
• Multi-selection: For more information, see 3DEXPERIENCE Native AppsUser's Guide: Selecting.