Dimension layout changing when making a copy?

[JAC]

When I try to copy a dimensioned drawing to make minor changes, the dimensions all change to the current settings? I have spent much time aligning and setting my numbers, do not want them to change just cause I make a copy! How to stop this?

On the same subject, can I set up my dimension preferences "globally", i.e. so any drawing I open to work in or start new will have my PRE-set preferences?

Thanks anyone who can help,

Jonathan

[architech]

Try going to "options" and somewhere in there under one of the tabs ...
Click off the "associative dimensioning.

Hope that helps. :P


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Open or create the "ACAD.DWT" file and set your preferences there ....
Make sure you save that file under the support folder of ACAD.
Once you do that, all your new drawings should now have your prefferred settings. :wink:

HTH

[csiarch]

Is the copy the result of copy objects, wblock or what?

Wouldn't SAVEAS to a slightly different file name preserve the dimensions settings?

Whereas opening a new drawing and copying stuff over is subject to the initial settings of the destination drawing?
Just wondering.....

[JAC]

"Associative" off did not help matters.

Seems strange that AutoDesk would allow you to possition, modify values, etc. but then when you copy that drawing over (or e-mail it to a sub-contractor) all that work is changed to the current dimension preferience settings!!!

Other suggestions? Try what I am explaining and see what happens for you.

Jonathan

[YosSa]

check the text style thats used in youre dimension style...

perhaps its changed (height 0,00 ??)

[JAC]

Tried your suggestions but still when I copy the dimensioned section over the alignment and now I found, values, change!!! Some few go to the another "dimlfac".

DESPERATELY need to fix this as must make revised drawing to send to my Laser cutter house to get parts made.

My phone is 321 868 0207! Please rack your (plural) brains and come up with the answer. Try a simple "copy" of a complexly dimensioned drawing and see what happens.

Jonathan

Also have a few questions on installing "Inventor".

[CarLB]

Another "guess" - if your dimensions in Drawing #1 are in a particular style, and Drawing #2 which you are copying to has the same style name, the dimensions will take on the properties of the already defined style in Drawing #2.

[JAC]

I can not believe a drawing package as large, expensive and "World" renowned allows detailed dimensions entered my competent well paid engineers/designers in special "override" locations for possible important logical reasons to be scrambled by the next users settings when the drawing is opened in another users "style/overrides".

So you are saying that when I e-mail the .dwg to another it will not look as it did on my computer!...who would pay for such a product?

Additionally as I mentioned, what if my ACAD is set at "dimlfac" .5000 and the receiver is set at 1.0000...then all dimensions would be twice too large!!!

MUST BE SOMETHING WE ARE MISSING HERE?

Jonathan

[csiarch]

The felxibility built-in to AutoCad which allows each user to tailor the program to their preferences seems to be working against you here. This flexibility is one of the bigger selling points for buying the software.

It doesn't help your situation but I have not experienced this particular problem when sending drawings to a client....I simply e-mail the drawings, they open them up in their software and continue to march. The only problem I ever had was with x-ref paths but that is easily resolved.

You might want to consider trading notes on preferences with the recipient to determine whether there is some common ground that offers a solution both of you can live with.

Sorry if this doesn't help.

Good Luck.