Dimension Element (Alignment = True)

Well, This is one area MicroStation and AutoCAD is different.

In AutoCAD, the angle of a dimension placed "Aligned" will vary the placement angle when it is adjusted.
In MicroStation, the angle of a dimension placed "True" will retain the angle of the initial placement.

Both approaches have their uses, and their problems.
I have not seen anything in MicroStation that creates dimensions the same way as AutoCAD.
In due respect, I have not seen a tool in AutoCAD that gives me the same results as MicroStation (which is the behavior I want).

Hi Mary.

If you place a Dimension with Alignment = True and then you move a segment of the element it makes sense that the Dimension has to vary the placement angle to continue being "True". Because you want to show the true distance.  Is not that "Design Intent"?

It does not make sense in MicroStation that if Alignment = True and then you move the element, it´s priority was reatining the angle. WTF?

I think the first priority is showing the True distance...

About trim/extend the extended lines, move the Dimension Text or another operations I have seen that we have to press first the "Modify" button... but this command is not in the context menu (right-click on the mouse).

Certainly, MS does not have a context menu (right-click) according to the selected element. If I select a Dimension in the drawing then I wish the command "Modify" in the context menu at least.

I often need to dimension element in AutoCAD along an angle. "Aligned" is great in the beginning, but i often need to apply a taper of some sort. In those cases, I do NOT want the dimension to realign to the tapered segment, I want it to hold the same angle as it had before, with the rest of the dimensions in that line (Like it does in MicroStation!).

You are used to one set of behavior, and you believe it to be correct. I am used to another set of behavior, and I believe it to work just fine. I can see where the "aligned" behavior is useful, but I also see where it does not comply with my DETAILING intent.

I do agree that Modify would be a useful tool to see on the right-click menu (any time, really). You may be able to customize that.

I agree that it would be useful to have a method to "reset" MicroStation "True" dimensions so that you could at least modify them the way you want.

Initial tests are promising however its not without issues:

MicroStation dimensions each have a stored value measured from the 1st vertex of the dimension to the dimension line i.e. length of the extension line. In the example case from Joan, we get extension lines of different lengths but graphically, you cannot tell which extension line the dimension started at. When the dimensions are realigned, the dimension line offset from the shape segment uses the existing value of the primary extension line. In the above example, I have a simple shape with all segments dimensioned; the right vertex is modified and the dimensions pulled out to ensure they are stay on the desired side of the segment when realigned. The dimensions on the left vertex are left alone to show how it looks without pre-modification. Either way, some adjustment is required regardless.

One thing I do like is setting all the dimensions to use the same extension value, in this example, 10mm:

Dimensions can also be realigned individually, from a selection set or processing every one in a model (which is what is demonstrated).

Its not the same as the AutoCAD behaviour but the perceived issue is fixable.

I'm missing how you realign the dimensions? I can follow everything until your cursor leaves the screen, and *poof* the dimensions realign.