TechDraw dimension axis selection

Discussions about the development of the TechDraw workbench
Forum rules
Be nice to others! Respect the FreeCAD code of conduct!
Post Reply
ytrottier
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:35 pm

TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by ytrottier »

How do I change the axis of a diagonal dimension in TechDraw? See the stock length dimension in the example below. I want that 8' 10+3/4" dimension to be measured on an axis parallel to the longest line on the part. It's pretty close in this example, but that's just luck, and I have other parts where I won't be so lucky. TechDraw defines the measurement axis by a straight line from point to point. How do I override that?

Code: Select all

OS: macOS Mojave (10.14)
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.20.2.29603 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: (HEAD detached at 0.20.2)
Hash: 930dd9a76203a3260b1e6256c70c1c3cad8c5cb8
Python 3.10.8, Qt 5.15.4, Coin 4.0.0, Vtk 9.1.0, OCC 7.6.3
Locale: C/Default (C)
Installed mods: 
  * Assembly4 0.12.6
dimension axis.png
dimension axis.png (102.15 KiB) Viewed 1085 times
Last edited by ytrottier on Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
domad
Veteran
Posts: 2053
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:16 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by domad »

ytrottier wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:52 pm ....
Hello ytrottier, greetings to the Community!
Welcome to the forum and to FreeCad.
I advise you to read the regulation, then respecting what you have read, insert the data of your system and the version of FreeCad you are using.
I hope the animated gif helps your request.
Attachments
TD_inclined_dimension.gif
TD_inclined_dimension.gif (193.14 KiB) Viewed 1045 times
ytrottier
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:35 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by ytrottier »

Thank you. I added my version information to my OP above. From your animated gif, it looks like the key is that "Axonometric length dimension" button. I don't have that button. Is that an add-on that I'm missing?
User avatar
NewJoker
Veteran
Posts: 3017
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2020 7:49 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by NewJoker »

It was added very recently. It can be found in weekly builds: https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-Bund ... kly-builds
Last edited by NewJoker on Mon Mar 27, 2023 10:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
wandererfan
Veteran
Posts: 6268
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:42 pm
Contact:

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by wandererfan »

ytrottier wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:52 pm How do I change the axis of a diagonal dimension in TechDraw?
In v0.20 the dimension line is not adjustable. In v0.21, you would use the dimension edit dialog to set angles to a non-standard layout.
Attachments
DimensionLineAngle.png
DimensionLineAngle.png (54.65 KiB) Viewed 945 times
domad
Veteran
Posts: 2053
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:16 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by domad »

ytrottier wrote: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:45 pm Thank you. I added my version information to my OP above. From your animated gif, it looks like the key is that "Axonometric length dimension" button. I don't have that button. Is that an add-on that I'm missing?
Greetings to the Community!
Here the latest weekly release https://github.com/FreeCAD/FreeCAD-Bund ... kly-builds where you will find the function
domad
Veteran
Posts: 2053
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:16 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by domad »

Greetings to the Community!
In connection with the topic, I am attaching a general example (usable in any eventuality) of inclined dimensioning (of any angle) referred to any edge, using the TD function "Axonometric length dimension".
I hope the animated gif is exhaustive enough.
Attachments
A_general_example_of_sloped_sizing.FCStd
(20.77 KiB) Downloaded 24 times
A_general_example_of_sloped_sizing.gif
A_general_example_of_sloped_sizing.gif (430.17 KiB) Viewed 813 times
ytrottier
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:35 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by ytrottier »

Thank you, @domad, your gif is very clear and helpful. I'm going to make do for now and wait until the feature is in an official update.
I'm guessing that @wandererfan's solution would only tilt the dimension lines, not actually change the measurement axis? In any cases, it also needs the next release.
domad
Veteran
Posts: 2053
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:16 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by domad »

Greetings to the Community!
In my opinion this topic should be moved to the specific TechDraw forum, could a moderator kindly intervene if he deems it useful?
ytrottier
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2023 5:35 pm

Re: TechDraw dimension axis selection

Post by ytrottier »

I found a better way, using "Create Oblique Coordinate Dimensions". The first two points you pick establish the measurement axis, and then you can pick the two points you actually want to measure from. This will create cosmetic lines and measure from those. Delete the two superfluous dimensions and you're done.
forum gif.gif
forum gif.gif (699 KiB) Viewed 597 times
Post Reply