By Dennis Collin
On a previous blog I mentioned the problem where dimensions on a drawing do not relate to the actual measurement elements have been drawn to. All too often it is where a user has used the text override function to show a dimension rather than modifying the drawing to the correct size. This is easily done with the Edit text command or in the property’s palette. Whilst not as serious a demeanour as exploding a dimension, this is not generally considered best practice.
Non-conforming dimensions can be identified by using the Qselect method described in my previous post. However, to make the dimensions correct again the Express Tool, DIMREASSOC can be employed to reinstate the associative nature of the dimension and have it read the actual, desired measurement.
There are two similar looking commands, but use the DIMREASSOC command to ensure that the dimension string reads the measured value. Unfortunately, the DIMREASSOC command is not available within AutoCAD LT (as per many of the Express tools). Although by using QSelect and setting the text override field to blank in the property’s palette should give a similar result.
Run the command and select all elements within the drawing, the command will process the dimensions and upon inspection the measurement and dimension should be identical (or very similar, allowing for precision settings!).