Special dimensions (square symbol)

[Workshop_Notes]

Version 0.20 allows addition of a square symbol as a prefix.

However, the symbol is not compliant with ISO129-1 (Section 7 Indications of special dimensions). It has an oblique line across is as a circular diameter. If we want to claim ISO compliance, we should follow the words and music.

As we now have the facility to add a prefix, it seems like an easy win to me to exapnd it to cover the full range of symbols shown in para. 7.1.

We have diameter, we have radius, we have (incorrect) square, we have arc (but the symbol is again wrong - see ISO 129-1 Annex A Fig A.1 h) ). It should be a semicircle of radius equal to text height.

The ones that could be added are spherical diameter (just an 'S' in front of the existing circular diameter symbol) and spherical radius ('S' in front of the existing 'R').

Thickness (t = [lowercase 't', space, equals, space]) would be a new one.

[wandererfan]

However, the symbol is not compliant with ISO129-1 (Section 7 Indications of special dimensions). It has an oblique line across is as a circular diameter. If we want to claim ISO compliance, we should follow the words and music.

I am puzzled as to why we have TechDraw_ExtensionInsertDiameter and TechDraw_ExtensionInsertSquare which seem to be special cases of TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat. Can anybody explain why we have both?

TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat can insert the U+25A1 □ symbol into dimension and balloon text. It also seems to have most of the other symbols you mention.

[aapo]

I am puzzled as to why we have TechDraw_ExtensionInsertDiameter and TechDraw_ExtensionInsertSquare which seem to be special cases of TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat. Can anybody explain why we have both?

TechDraw_ExtensionInsertDiameter is used quite a lot with section cuts, so it's very handy to have it behind one button: Select dimension(s), press this button, and it's ready. I was skeptical at first, but I've noticed that I use it a lot in practice. I also sometimes use TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat, but what is the square button for? I never use that one, but I guess it's useful for someone.

[Roy_043]

Can anybody explain why we have both?

The first two commands were created first.

[wandererfan]

... but what is the square button for? I never use that one, but I guess it's useful for someone.

I learn something new everyday around here.

"7.6 Squares
The graphical symbol □ shall precede the dimensional value if only one side of the square is dimensioned
(see Figure 36)."
- ISO 129-1 First edition 2004-09-15

[Workshop_Notes]

TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat can insert the U+25A1 □ symbol into dimension and balloon text. It also seems to have most of the other symbols you mention.

Thanks, I had not seen that. The dedicated, cascading button list is a very neat, quick way of doing it. I would tend to reserve the CustomiseFormat for more complicated, and thus slower, requirements. So I guess my focus has changed from a feature request to a user interface issue.

Just FYI, ISO129-1 was updated in 2018 (BS EN ISO 129-1 2018 can be found online) and there was an amendment to it in 2020 (also to be found online). This adds even more things to those I mentioned below (now in Section 5.2, Table 1), inter alia a depth symbol, counterbore and countersink symbols (all covered in TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat but not by a button).

My concern now is that the stuff seems to in one place is not consistent with that in another (the square in TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat is standard-compliant, the one in TechDraw_ExtensionInsertSquare is not). The arc length symbol is also not compliant.

The work being done is very much appreciated, but it might be good to do it once only and correctly the first time through.

[domad]

Greetings to the Community!

Here is an animated gif showing how to use the "Customize Format Label" function to create the "GD & T-ASME" and "ISO-GPS" (Geometric product specifications) "geometric tolerances".
Note: to create the functional divider (continuous boxes) between the symbols and tolerances use:
- as Bubble Shape exclusively (!) the rectangle (does not work with other Bubble Shapes)
- as a divider (vertical bar or pipe) the "Shift + pipe" key (normally it is the key positioned under "esc").
The boxes will be formed automatically as soon as you click on "Ok".
Also "Customize Format Label" can be used to modify / insert / add symbols and typing in dimensions and Baloons.

[wandererfan]

My concern now is that the stuff seems to in one place is not consistent with that in another (the square in TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat is standard-compliant, the one in TechDraw_ExtensionInsertSquare is not). The arc length symbol is also not compliant.

The square symbol in TechDraw_ExtensionInsertSquare is currently "⧄ squared rising diagonal slash U+29C4" and should be "□ white square U+25A1"

The arc length symbol is currently "∩ intersection U+2229", but I guess it should be "◠ upper half circle U+25E0".

We can make these changes as soon as the v0.20 freeze ends.

[edi]

To reach an agreement which character is the proper one is more complicated then to solve the problem.

Please ask @domad, who is a specialist in that things, before changing characters.

In TechDraw_ExtensionCustomizeFormat changing characters is very easy, because they are definded in the TaskCustomizeFormat.ui file. Not even knowledge of C++ is necessary.

[Workshop_Notes]

Please ask @domad, who is a specialist in that things, before changing characters.

I am not sure that relying on the knowledge of any individual, no matter how specialist, is the correct way to proceed. The dimensions in FC are said to be compliant with an International Standard. In this case, we are talking about ISO129-1. We do not need to consult an individual. We need to consult the text written in the Standard that we are trying to comply with. If the Standard says one thing and FC is doing something different, it is non-compliant. That is the choice we face - use what the Standard says or remove the claim of compliance.