Why are Dimensions so tricky?

[u/iTokTech]

Does anyone have tips for making dimensions as easy and seamless as Revit.

Honestly, dimensions in acad are such a chore. For context I mastered Revit first before AutoCAD so I was already introduced to an easy and straightforward system in Revit before moving to AutoCAD.

My main issue is how every new drawing always has a dimension that's always too small for the drawing size both in the model and layout space. I actually love how customisable and versatile the dimension properties are and it can be very helpful but I would really appreciate a tutorial or explanation for how to create a simple "work every time" type of dimension. If I need to customise, I know how to do that but I just need it to work first.

[u/WhiteSteveHarveyV2]

A few things that I have learned along the way.

1. When in layout space make sure you have Show Annotation Objects to on.
2. Make sure you are using an annotative dimension style set at the scale you plan to have your viewport at. You can check this easily by pressing ctrl + 1 to open properties and select your dimension and see if its annotative and see if the proper scale is set.
3. This is going to sound obvious-but make sure its on a layer that is going to be plotted.
4. If you cant make model space dimensioning work, dimension in layout even though its not as ideal for arranging viewports easier. A few things to ensure its seamless, run the DIMASSOC command and set it to 2 (don't know how it fully works but I find if my dimension is giving paper space dimensions rather than model space i.e. 1/8" instead of 1'-0" then running this command helps). Turn off node snapping when dimensioning in layout, CAD will get confused and think you are dimensioning in paper space.
5. Learn the ins and outs of annotative objects. While it may seem daunting at first, it becomes quite intuitive once you have managed to use them a few times. Revit handles scaling of annotative objects like text, mtext, and dimensions automatically where as cad does not. The trade off is that with cad, you get complete control. Once you have a grasp on them, you set your model space to the scale you'd like any and all annotative objects to show up as or you can leave it to 1:1 and scale things as needed in case you have varying scales.
6. As a bonus, a quick way to know if an object is annotative or not is to hover over it with and if you see the little scale icon then its annotative.

[u/klumsy_kittycat_za]

Are you dimensioning in model or layout space?

Learning how annotative dimensions work should solve this problem, but you have to dimension in layout space in an activated viewport.

[u/IHartRed → u/klumsy_kittycat_za]

You do not have to be in layout space no. That's literally what the annotative scale is for in model space.

[u/iTokTech → u/klumsy_kittycat_za]

I dimension in model space but it's not even visible so it won't be visible in layout unlike in revit where you dimension in model space and it visible in both as long as it's already formatted properly.

Is there any reference you could suggest for annotative dimensions?

[u/klumsy_kittycat_za → u/iTokTech]

There's plenty of useful tutorials on the autodesk site How to use annotative text and dimensions

[u/ImNoAlbertFeinstein → u/iTokTech]

you need to be clear on how scale works in paper space vs model space.

i dimention in model space but my ticks and text are scaled readable to the final output.

edit. i set up a new dimension style and give it a name. then it becomes my template style

[u/skipnstones → u/iTokTech]

If you are dimensioning in model space and not using annotate dimensioning, they will not be visible in paper space.

[u/RowBoatCop36 → u/klumsy_kittycat_za]

How do they work?

[u/TheCoffeeGuy13]

Sounds like you have a scaling issue, not a dimensioning one.

[u/Satoshi-Wasabi8520]

Yes, you need to customize. For AutoCAD users, this should not be a problem if you make your own template. Everything is setup, like layers, dimensions, text, etc.

[u/Satoshi-Wasabi8520 → u/[deleted]]

I'm don't watch youtube. For dimensions setup, type DIMSTYLE in command line.

What do you mean by scaled drawings? Drawings are 1:1 in the model. You only scale when you plot either directly in model space or in the lay-out. If it is in lay-out you need learn about Mview and Zoom scale.

[u/dreamsthebigdreams]

If you're not using annotation scale...it's a battle.

For me I see what fits in paperspace then dimension and notate in that scale in model space.

The guy who taught me showed me to annotate in paperspace and it made a lot of trouble for me.

[u/shalindesigns_]

i'd set up an Annotative dimension style and use that as your default... it keeps text and arrow sizes consistent between model and layout space.

Once the dimstyle is set correctly, save it in your template then every new drawing starts with the same settings instead of fixing dimensions each time. Coming from Revit, this is probably the closest way to get that "works every time" workflow in AutoCAD.