Dimension lines, Extensions line and Leader lineweight control

This area of the NRCS New York CADD Web site provides users with procedures and tips for managing the plotted appearance of their leaders and dimension components.

Dimension lines and Extension lines

The plotted lineweight of the dimension lines and extension lines of a dimension block, and leaders, should be significantly lighter than object lines in a drawing. The contrast in lineweight differentiates them from object lines and reduces their interfere with object lines.

The NRCS-NY_Standard_Plot_Style_Table_1.stb contains a plot style named Dimension that will govern the plotted lineweight of the dimension and extension lines of a dimension block. Dimension text will not be effected. When used in conjunction with the dimension line and extension line lineweight settings in a dimension style, the desired plotted lineweight of these elements is achieved. The recommended plotted lineweight for dimension lines and extension lines is .004 inches. This lineweight setting is modified in the Dimension Style Manager dialog box.

The Adobe Acrobat document below provides instructions for adjusting the lineweight of dimension lines, extension lines and leaders.

This document requires Adobe Reader.

Modifying the lineweight of dimension lines, extension lines and leaders (PDF; 93 KB)

Changing the expression of lineweight values to inches

If the pull-down windows for dimension lines and extensions line lineweight control are expressed in millimeters rather than inches, follow the procedure below to change the format to inches.

The Adobe Acrobat document below provides instructions for changing the lineweight values to inches.

This document requires Adobe Reader.

Changing the expression of lineweight values to inches (PDF; 61 KB)

Leaders

The plotted lineweight of a leader is governed by the dimension line lineweight setting of the current dimension style. Therefore, leaders do not need to reside on a layer with the Dimension plot style assigned to it. It is recommended that leaders be placed on a layer named ty_t_label with the Text-Label@.010 plot style assigned to it. When this plot style is used along with the .004 inch lineweight setting in a dimension style, it will produce a light leader line with text that is .010 inch lineweight.

The Drafting Tips page includes tips on dimensions, leaders, polar tracking and other topics that will reduce your time spent drafting and help you improve the appearance, clarity and accuracy of your engineering drawings.
 

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