2004

Table Of Contents
520 | Chapter 20 Dimensions and Tolerances
When creating new dimensions, you can choose to place text by entering a
coordinate or using the pointing device; this is known as user-defined text
placement. Alternatively, AutoCAD can compute the text position for you.
The options for automatic fitting of text and arrowheads are listed in the
Dimension Style Manager, Fit tab. For example, you can specify that text and
arrowheads be kept together. In this case, if there is not room for both
between the extension lines, they are both placed outside. You can specify
that if there is room for only text or arrowheads, then either text only or
arrowheads only are placed between the extension lines.
These examples show how AutoCAD applies a "best fit" for arrowheads and
text.
If there is no room for text between the extension lines, you can have a leader
line created automatically. This is useful in cases where text outside the
extension lines would interfere with other geometry, for example, in contin-
ued dimensions. Whether text is drawn to the right or the left of the leader
is controlled by the horizontal justification setting on the Text tab. Also, you
can fit text and arrowheads by changing their size.
Even if the arrowheads are outside the extension lines, you can have a line
drawn between the extension lines. This is called forcing an internal line and
is illustrated below.
text inside,
arrowheads
outside
arrowheads
inside, text
outside
text and
arrowheads
outside
text and
arrowheads
inside
forced internal line