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UN IT 4
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UNIT 4
LAYERING AND DIMENSIONING
4.1 Introduction
This module discusses how to create and control layers and apply basic guidelines
in dimensioning a produce drawing using AutoCAD.
4.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to
• Create, Control and Edit Layers
• Apply basic guidelines in drawing dimensioning
• Produce a dimensioned drawing using AutoCAD
4.3. Learning Content
4.3.1 Layering
LAYER is an electronic overlay similar to an acetate or transparent paper. Every layer
has an associated color and associated linetype.
Advantage of using layers
• Easy editing, like “texts”, selective printing.
• Easy selecting, control of regeneration
Other associated commands
1. LTSCALE – command to change global scale of ltypes
2. CHPROP – command to change LTSCALE of selected objects.
3. PURGE – command to delete unused or empty layers
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4.3.1.1. Creating New Layer
A. Color Methods
1. BYBLOCK – assign color to objects
Use COLOR (or DDCOLOR) or CHPROP commands
2. BYLAYER – objects inherit color of destination layer
Use LAYER command to create color.
B. Linetype Methods –
1. BYBLOCK – assigns linetype to objects
Use CHPROP command to assign ltype to selected objects.
2. BYLAYER – objects inherit ltype of destination layer.
Use LAYER command to create linetype.
Exercise #9: Creating Layers. Using LAYER command input the following layers.
Name Color Linetype
Walls Cyan Continuous
Doors Red Continuous
Steps 9 Continuous
Balcony Green Continuous
Fixtures Magenta Continuous
Headers Yellow Continuous
Roof Blue Dashed
ConsLine Orange Hidden
DimText Yellow Continuous
Elevation 220 Continuous
Windows Red Continuous
1. Type LA or LAYER in the Command Line or click the Layer Icon . A Layer
window will appear as shown in Figure 4.1. Click Create New Layer.
Create New Layer
Pick to
Double click to
Change Color Pick to
Change layer name
Delete a Layer Change Linetype
Set Current Layer
Figure 4.1 Layer Properties Window
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2. Pick a color for the created layer
3. Pick “Load” to select other linetypes
4. Pick “Load” to select other linetypes. Click newly loaded linetype then click OK
4.3.1.2 Controlling Layers
Capabilities and Controlling LAYERS
1. OFF – objects in layers turned OFF are invisible, but continue to REGEN.
Use ON to restore visibility.
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2. FREEZE – same effect as OFF but objects do not regen. Use THAW to
restore layers.
3. LOCK – objects in locked layers can not be edited but visible. Use UNLOCK
to restore layers.
Off
On
Lock
Freeze
Figure 4.2 Pull-down Menu for created Layers
4.3.1.3 Layer Editing
To apply or edit created Layer, click the drawing object/objects you want a created layer
to be applied for. After selecting the objects, click in the pull-down menu (Fig 4.2) and
select the layer you want to use.
4.3.2 Dimensioning
The management and display of the measurements of an object. There are various
standards that determine such things as tolerances, sizes of arrowheads and orientation
on the paper.
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Parts of a Dimension
4.3.2.1 Types of Dimensioning
Basically, there are three types of dimensioning; linear, circle and arc and angle. To
choose the right style, one should consider the easiest and most complete way for the
reader to determine the size and shape of the object.
4.3.2.2 Linear Dimensioning
Linear dimension is used to show length of a linear line. Figure 4.3 shows several styles
of linear dimension.
Figure 4.3 Several styles of Linear Dimensioning.
4.3.2.3 Circle and Arc Dimensioning
Circle and arc dimension are used to show diameter or radius of a circle or arc. Dimension
of a circle or arc must be constructed together with the center-line of the circle or arc.
Figure 4.4 shows several styles of circle and arc dimension.
Figure 4.3 Several styles of Circle and Arc Dimensioning.
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4.3.2.4 Angle Dimensioning
Angle dimensioning is used to show inclination of a line with a reference to the other
line. Figure 4.4 shows some example of angle dimensioning.
Figure 4.4 Several styles of Angle Dimensioning
4.3.2.5 Dimensioning Guidelines
Dimensioning of a technical drawing must be done according to the existing standards
such as BS308, ANSI and ISO. Figure 4.5 shows an example of a drawing with
dimension.
Figure 4.5 Example of a Drawing with Dimension
There are several guidelines that must be followed in dimensioning as shown in Figure
4.6. Description of the figure is given below:
a. Arrow size of 3 mm (i)
b. Text heights of 3 mm (ii)
c. Projection line exceeding 1.5 mm from arrow (iii)
d. Gap between object and projection line at 1.5 mm (iv)
e. Distance between dimension and object line at 15 mm (v)
f. Distance between dimensions at 10 mm (vi)
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Figure 4.6 Guidelines for Dimensioning
Given below are list of error used to be made in dimensioning (Figure 4.7)
a. Distance between projection and object is too far (i)
b. Crossing between projection and dimension line (ii)
c. Break on projection line through the object line (iii)
d. Dimension text size exceeding or below 3 mm (iv)
e. Arrow size exceeding or below 3 mm (v)
f. Dimension without projection line (vi)
g. Crossing of two dimension line (vii)
h. No gap between the projection and object line (vii)
i. No projection line for the other side (viii)
j. Gap between the dimension and object is too small (x)
k. Inappropriate weighting of dimension line (xi)
l. No gap between the center line and the projection line (xii)
Figure 4.7 Typical Error Made in Dimensioning
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Figure 4.8 Corrected Version of Figure 4.7
4.3.3 Dimensioning in AutoCAD
As AutoCAD is a computer software, dimensioning process should be expected to be
easier and more accurate. A build-it command for dimensioning make it even easier for
the AutoCAD user. This section will describe more on dimensioning technique and style
in AutoCAD.
4.3.3 Dimension Toolbar
Dimension toolbar can be access at the top bar using annotation panel (Figure. 4.9).
The tool bar can contain of dimensioning icon that will be used on the next section.
Figure 4.9 Dimension Toolbar
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4.3.4 Standardizing Dimension
As been discussed in 4.3.3, we can standardize our dimension according to existing
standard by clicking on the Dimension style (Figure 4.10) on the Dimension Toolbar or by
typing DIMSTYLE on the keyboard. A new window of Dimension Style Manager will
appear as shown in Figure 4.11.
Figure 4.10 Dimension Style Toolbar
Creating
New Style
Name of
New Style
Continue
Command
Figure 4.11 Dimension Style Manager Window
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Parameters
Set at 3 mm
Set at 5 mm
Set at 1.5 mm
Set at 3 mm
Figure 4.12 New Dimension Style Manager Window
Set at 3 mm
Set at 3 mm
Figure 4.13 Setting of Symbol and Arrow
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Set to Arial
at 3 mm
Set at 3 mm
Set at 1 mm
Figure 4.14 Setting of Text
Set at 0.0
Figure 4.14 Setting of Primary Units
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4.4 Activities / Exercises
4.4.1 Activity 10
Draw Object from Figure 4.7 in the Model Space and Transferred it in the Paper
Space complete with an 8.5x11 Title Block. Add Dimension and Layer properties
to your drawing and convert it to PDF file. Save Drawing as
Fig4.7_Last_Name.dwg and Fig4.7_Last_Name.pdf
4.4.2 Activity 11
Continue enhancing the drawing in Activity 8 for file Cabin_last_name.dwg A front
and back steps, thresholds, balcony, kitchen and bathroom should be added to
the Cabin. Save it as new file with filename CABIN2_LAST_NAME.DWG. Apply
Layer properties in Exercise#9 and add dimension to floor plan following standard
guidelines. Follow the dimension details below:
Dimension Details:
0.90
0.70
0.22 0.55 0.10
R0.12
0.60
0.50 R0.05 TYP
0.04
R0.09 TYP
0.20 0.20
0.04 0.05 0.04
0.30
Kitchen Sink Gas Range
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1.52
0.61
1.00 0.80
0.55
0.55 0.40
1.00
ELLIPSE
0.075 TYP 1.00 0.36 x 0.25
0.15
R1.52
0.05 TYP
0.61
1.84
0.05 TYP
0.60
0.8
.60 0.60
0.25
0.40 0.70 0.90 0.80
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4.4.3 ACTIVITY 11a: The Cabin with roof eaves, windows and dimension details. Use
CABIN2.DWG and save it at CABIN2a_LASTNAME.DWG
1.80 5.40
2.00
4.90
2.50
45°
0.45 TYP R1.52
2.75 4.45
7.60
Dimension Details of Windows
0.60 1.20
CL
CL
CL
1.20 0.30
0.90 0.90 0.60
1.80
CL 0.35 0.30
4.5 References
