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Dimension does not work on preselected entity, reason for this?
lars_andersson
Member Posts: 20 ✭
Dimension does not work on preselected entity like other constraints do in a sketch.
If I select a line and then press "vertical" magic happens.
If I select a line and then press "dimension" the line deselects, I have to click it again to make a dimension.
I am sure there is a reason for this I just can't figure it out myself.
If I select a line and then press "vertical" magic happens.
If I select a line and then press "dimension" the line deselects, I have to click it again to make a dimension.
I am sure there is a reason for this I just can't figure it out myself.
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Best Answer
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andrew_troup
Member, Mentor Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭✭✭
Short version: Pick the dimension tool first, then start clicking on entities.
Long version: The dimension tool in Onshape can be used in a number of quite different contexts -- between points, between lines, between a mixture -- and, depending on how those entities are disposed, it decides whether you're trying to dimension linear or angular dimensions.
It's designed to remain active throughout a dimensioning session, and it works out what you want from the entities you click, and the order you click them.
So I guess it's not surprising that the developers resisted adding yet another layer of complication which would have resulted from making it work for pre-selected, as well as post-selected, entities.
5
Answers
Long version: The dimension tool in Onshape can be used in a number of quite different contexts -- between points, between lines, between a mixture -- and, depending on how those entities are disposed, it decides whether you're trying to dimension linear or angular dimensions.
It's designed to remain active throughout a dimensioning session, and it works out what you want from the entities you click, and the order you click them.
So I guess it's not surprising that the developers resisted adding yet another layer of complication which would have resulted from making it work for pre-selected, as well as post-selected, entities.
I think possibility to preselect things for dimension tool would make constraining tools much more consistent. It is always annoying if one needs to memorize workflows that are not consistent with similar tools, in this case other constraints.
Good point. I take back what I said, because I agree that consistency is vitally important.
The lack is particularly evident in Onshape drawings at present.
Interface consistency with the modeller is minimal, and the resulting burden of cognitive stress is noticeable.