dimension arc length

I have been asking for a true arc labeling function, arc length, degree of curvature, tangent length etc..,in Microstation for almost 20 years now so I doubt it will ever be created.  My ACAD users use this as another reason why Microstation sucks and I have no come back.  Bring up the element info and calculating the other dims from that is a poor work around and it is actually embarrassing to tell my ACAD users that is the only way.

I agree, this is a real let down. I'v used arc dimensions every day for around 12 years and I cannot believe what a tedious slog Bentley have provided of getting to such a basic tool. I watch the visualisation side of Microstation progress in leaps and bounds and am amazed that such a basic dimensioning function has been totally neglected.

It's almost comparable to the curved multi-line fiasco!!!

 You know I haven't spent the time to create a dim style for this. I have numerous styles all base on a level.

Casework

Counter tops

curbs\ base

Booths

RCP

So in my case I would need to create another sub style for each level

I use multiple styles in plan and elevations to dimension different types of elements. It makes it easier for fabrication. All the dimensions print in different colors

Hi Kirk,

If you have not already done so:

Define the needed dimension styles (and textstyles) once and make MS_DGNLIBLIST point to that file, so that the styles are available in any file that you open from then on.

Best regards,

Henk

DimStyles are not hooked to a level. I do not think(or understand) why you would create substyles. Create a file TextAndDimesion.dgnlib in your projects /dgnlib folder and import your Dimstyles there (and the textstyles) then you can use them in all your files immediately. You swithch Styles and Levels as you go. If you use that a lot you should look into "Element Templates" define any combination there and then create Tools/Tasks to switch everything requied with one click.  Regards, Gerd

Gerd Dimension styles do not have to be hooked to a level but under the Advance option there is a place where you can designate which level you want a dimension style placed on. This is my preferred work flow since my dimensions are design to correlate  with certain data.  

thanks Henk

I have all my dimensions and text styles in a dgnlib file

thanks Henk

I have all my dimensions and text styles in a dgnlib file

To switch to lengths or angle use alternatively the keyins: "dimstyleset angle units length" or "dimstyleset angle units angle". Would you need to switch that often? Do you think you need to have substyles or just to create buttons for that? I came up with element templates as I thought they may be helpful here as they help to define standards AND allow to use the Utilies>Standards Checker as elements "remember" which template they were created from. (They yet do not help for switching angle/length though). Gerd

Gerd

I created buttons with the keyins. I find for my workflow to be the easiest way of switching between degrees and length.

I don't stay in one mode of operation or task. I tend to bounce around between drawing to placing text dimensions back to drawing. So I should customize my task bars to all the tools I need are visible

I found this thread because I've got (once again) a customers question for a faster switch between angle and length. I agree with Kirk, that having each style doubled is definitively not an option. (Gerd, have you ever seen the number of dimension styles at BMW or Daimler ?)

Wouldn't this be a good case for a CR ?

The keyins are nice, but I know to many users, which wouldn't know how to implement this in a taskbar or even a function key (an customization by an external company is expensive).

+1

I never thought I would ever have to correct Inga  but here are the correct keyins for v8i

DIMSTYLESET ANGLE UNITS LENGTH;dimcreate angular arcsize

DIMSTYLESET ANGLE UNITS  ANGLE;dimcreate angular arcsize

Either use a macro to run each or a function key for each or alternatively make a homemade icon in your dgnlib file so every one can use it.

I prefer a macro one called arcL and the other called arcA  could we make an alias or accudraw keyin to do this?