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How does one dimension an ellipse in drawings?

michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
in Drawings
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
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Best Answer

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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    Answer ✓
    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

Answers

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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    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. 
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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    So is this the best i can do?

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

    Michael
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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    OH, for that use a construction line



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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    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,
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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    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


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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    Not sure I follow.  You draw the vertical CL, then pull 2 horizontal lines using the line tool, then dimension those, line to line?
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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    Answer ✓
    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
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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    I get it now.  That works fine.  Thanks for your help John!
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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    No problem :)
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    NeilCookeNeilCooke Moderator, Onshape Employees Posts: 5,401
    edited March 2017
    @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)
    Senior Director, Technical Services, EMEAI
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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    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?
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    john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,901 PRO
    edited March 2017
    @NeilCooke

    Nice I didn't notice that shortcut

    Here is the list by the way.

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    NeilCookeNeilCooke Moderator, Onshape Employees Posts: 5,401
    Shift Q was added last release! Keep up! 

    https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/5920/improvements-to-onshape-march-2nd-2017#latest
    Senior Director, Technical Services, EMEAI
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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    Yessir, will do!  Thanks again.
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    philip_thomasphilip_thomas Member, Moderator, Onshape Employees, Developers Posts: 1,381
    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 :)
    Philip Thomas - Onshape
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    michael_mcewenmichael_mcewen OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
    Awesome!  Thank you.
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