2004

Table Of Contents
Modify Existing Dimensions | 553
Modify Dimension Geometry
You can modify dimensions with the AutoCAD editing commands and with
grip editing. Grip editing is the quickest and easiest way to modify dimen-
sions. How you edit dimensions depends whether the dimension is
associative.
Modify Associative Dimensions
Associative dimensions retain their associativity to dimensioned objects
through many editing commands if both the dimension and the associated
geometry are selected and operated on with a single command. For example,
if a dimension and its associated geometry are moved, copied, or arrayed in
the same command, each dimension retains associativity with its respective
geometry.
In some circumstances, dimensions are automatically disassociated,
including
If the associated geometric object is erased
If the associated geometric object undergoes a Boolean operation such as
UNION or SUBTRACT
If grip editing is used to stretch a dimension parallel to its dimension line
If the association to a geometric object is specified using the Apparent
Intersection object snap, and the geometric object is moved so that the
apparent intersection no longer exists
In other circumstances, a dimension may become partially associated. For
example, if a linear dimension is associated with the endpoints of two geo-
metric objects and one of the objects is erased, the remaining association is
preserved. The disassociated end of the linear dimension may then be asso-
ciated with another geometric object using
DIMREASSOCIATE.
Note The command line displays a warning message if a dimension is
disassociated.
Modify Nonassociative Dimensions
For nonassociative dimensions, when you edit dimensioned objects, you
must include the relevant dimension definition points in the selection set, or
the dimension is not updated. Definition points determine the dimension
location. For example, to stretch a dimension, you must include the appro-
priate definition points in the selection set. You can easily include them by
turning on grips and selecting the object so that the grips are highlighted.