TechDraw LengthDimension

Description
The Dimension Length tool adds a linear dimension to a View. The dimension may be between the distance between two vertices, the length of one edge or the distance between 2 edges. The distance will initially be the projected distance (ie as shown on the drawing), but this may be changed to the actual 3D distance using the tool.



How to use

 * 1) Select the points or edge which define your measurement.
 * 2) Press the  button
 * 3) A dimension will be added to the View.  The dimension may be dragged to the desired position.

Limitations
Dimension objects are vulnerable to the "topological naming problem". This means that if you modify the 3D geometry the faces and edges of the model may be renamed internally; if a dimension is attached to an edge that is then modified, the dimension may break. In general, it is not possible to keep the projected 2D dimensions synchronized with the actual 3D objects.

Therefore, it is recommended that dimensions be added when the 3D model is no longer being modified.

Workaround
If you want to keep a TechDraw view with dimensions that won't break, you need to dimension an object that won't change.
 * Select the object that you want to project, then switch to the Part Workbench and use . This will create a single object that is not parametric, that is, no longer editable.
 * Select this copy, then use TechDraw NewView, and add the desired dimensions.
 * If the original 3D model is modified, the modifications won't affect the simple copy, nor the dimensions in the TechDraw view.

Data

 * : Horizontal position of the dimension text relative to the View.
 * : Vertical position of the dimension text relative to the View.
 * : Length,radius,diameter, etc. Not normally manipulated by the end user.
 * : - based on 3D geometry or "Projected" - based on the drawing. Not normally manipulated directly by the end user.
 * : Specifies a theoretically exact (or basic) dimension.
 * - a common dimension by default, possibly with tolerances.
 * - a theoretical value. As such, it shall not bear any tolerances. Marked by a frame around the value.


 * : The amount by which the piece may be larger than the Dimension shown.
 * : The amount by which the piece may be smaller than the Dimension shown.
 * : Marks whether the dimension represents a common or an inverted value.
 * - the ordinary value is used. For length it is a positive number, for angle the oblique value (0° - 180°).
 * - the inverted value is used. For length a negative number, for angle the reflex value (180° - 360°).


 * : Allows additional text to be added to the dimension text.
 * Dimension value will replace the  part of text (or any other valid format specifier - see printf).


 * : Specifies, whether treat FormatSpec as a template or an actual text.
 * - replace the format specifier with the actual dimensional value.
 * - ignore the dimensional value and display exactly FormatSpec as value.

View

 * : The name of the font to use for the dimension text.
 * : Dimension text size in mm.
 * : Dimension line weight.
 * : Color for lines and text.

Scripting
TechDraw API and FreeCAD Scripting Basics.

The Dimension Length tool can be used in macros and from the Python console by using the following functions: