How does one dimension an ellipse in drawings?

michael_mcewen

In drawings,  I can use the "line to line" dimension tool on a section of the ellipse, but there are no points to drag dimensions on an ellipse in plan view.  I've tried every tool.  Any ideas?

Thanks,

Michael

john_mcclary

No I just don't use the vertical line at all. I showed that to show you it will extend beyond the geometry, giving you the 0.90" 

See the first post, where I used the 2 horizontal lines. When you mouse over the top of the ellipse you will see a diamond, representing the top quadrant of the arc.
Then project that line horizontally to the left / right and click when you see the X appear near a dotted line.

I don't have video recording software installed at work, so best I can to is type it out

john_mcclary

I assume you mean you cannot find a point on the plan view, but you can on a section view, because they are hidden lines on the plan view.

OS does not allow dimensioning to hidden lines. period. 

michael_mcewen

So is this the best i can do?

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/3a02151ecb45d32215736cb6/w/2599429d396906bb4978c958/e/1d5ddf3757a685da951e8369
 
Thanks,

Michael

john_mcclary

OH, for that use a construction line

michael_mcewen

Funny, I tried that, but when I dimension the centerline, point to point, it measures from points on the end of the lines, outside the perimeter of the ellipse,

thereby adding .09 to actual dims.  What am I doing wrong?

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/3a02151ecb45d32215736cb6/w/2599429d396906bb4978c958/e/1d5ddf3757a685da951e8369

john_mcclary

Because the centerline tool automatically adds a tail to either end. As is the normal intent for that tool

so making 2 horizontal lines instead will achieve what you want

michael_mcewen

Not sure I follow.  You draw the vertical CL, then pull 2 horizontal lines using the line tool, then dimension those, line to line?

john_mcclary

No I just don't use the vertical line at all. I showed that to show you it will extend beyond the geometry, giving you the 0.90" 

See the first post, where I used the 2 horizontal lines. When you mouse over the top of the ellipse you will see a diamond, representing the top quadrant of the arc.
Then project that line horizontally to the left / right and click when you see the X appear near a dotted line.

I don't have video recording software installed at work, so best I can to is type it out

michael_mcewen

I get it now.  That works fine.  Thanks for your help John!

john_mcclary

No problem

NeilCooke

@michael_mcewen @john_mcclary

Don't forget you can also press Shift Q when in the dimension command (providing the ellipse axis is horizontal/vertical)

michael_mcewen

That's cool.  Thank you.  I guess I should study up on those keyboard shortcuts.  Most of those are self explanatory, but is there a video / tutorial that goes over that list?

john_mcclary

@NeilCooke

Nice I didn't notice that shortcut

Here is the list by the way.

NeilCooke

Shift Q was added last release! Keep up! 

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/5920/improvements-to-onshape-march-2nd-2017#latest

michael_mcewen

Yessir, will do!  Thanks again.

philip_thomas

Hello  - just to get you a quick answer - yes you can do it!
The magic answer is SHIFT-Q
This will activate the quadrant points that you can dimension to

michael_mcewen

Awesome!  Thank you.