2012

A dimension style override is a change made to specific settings in the current
dimension style. It is equivalent to changing a dimensioning system variable
without changing the current dimension style.
You can define dimension style overrides for individual dimensions, or for
the current dimension style.
 For individual dimensions, you may want to create overrides to suppress
a dimension's extension lines or modify text and arrowhead placement so
that they do not overlap drawing geometry without creating a different
dimension style.
 You can also set up overrides to the current dimension style. All dimensions
you create in the style include the overrides until you delete the overrides,
save the overrides to a new style, or set another style current. For example,
if you choose Override in the Dimension Style Manager, and change the
color of extension lines on the Override Current Style dialog box, Lines
tab, the current dimension style remains unchanged. However, the new
value for color is stored in the DIMCLRE system variable. The next
dimension you create will have extension lines in the new color. You can
save the dimension style overrides as a new dimension style.
Some dimension characteristics are common to a drawing or to a style of
dimensioning and are therefore suited to be permanent dimension style
settings. Others generally apply on an individual basis and can be applied
more effectively as overrides. For example, a drawing usually uses a single type
of arrowhead, so it makes sense to define the arrowhead type as part of the
dimension style. Suppression of extension lines, however, usually applies in
individual cases only and is more suited to a dimension style override.
There are several ways to set up dimension style overrides. You can change
options in the dialog boxes or change system variable settings at the Command
prompt. You reverse the override by returning the changed settings to their
original values. The overrides apply to the dimension you are creating and all
subsequent dimensions created with that dimension style until you reverse
the override or make another dimension style current.
Example: Change a Dimension Style Override at the Command
Prompt
You can override the current dimension style while creating a dimension by
entering the name of any dimensioning system variable at any prompt. In
this example, the dimension line color is changed. The change affects
subsequent dimensions you create until you reverse the override or make
another dimension style current.
Command: dimoverride
Dimensions and Tolerances | 679