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Dimensions

A dimension is a constraint with a number in it, such as a length of 40 mm.

Most shapes already show their own sizes, such as a rectangle's width and height. Use the Dimension tool for the distances and angles between shapes.

The Dimension tool placing the distance from a hole to a rectangle's edge, with its value box

  1. Press D, or click Dimension on the rail.
  2. Click a line or circle. Click a second thing for the distance or angle between them.
  3. Click where the number goes, then type the value and press Enter.

Double-click a number to change it later, right-click it to delete it. A dimension also takes a parameter name or an expression such as width / 2, which the parameters page explains.

The Dimension menu

Right-click while the Dimension tool runs for the choices a click cannot make.

  1. Pick Circle/Arc Tangent: the next click on a circle or arc measures to its edge, not its centre.
  2. Reflex angle: an angle measures the outside of the wedge.
  3. Radius or Diameter: what a lone circle or arc shows.
  4. Driven (reference): the dimensions you place next are reference dimensions.

A reference dimension shows a size but never moves the sketch, and you cannot type into it. Reference Dim in the palette is the same switch. Lengths and diameters cannot be reference dimensions yet.