Dimensioning in Solid Edge ST
Dimensioning in Solid Edge ST
Dimensioning in Solid Edge ST
Introduction
This tutorial illustrates the typical workflow for creating and placing drawing views, and
dimensioning and annotating the views of the machined part shown in the illustration
above. This workflow is applicable to both synchronous models and traditional models in
Solid Edge ST.
You will learn to do the following:
1. Place a principal Front view plus three other standard views (Top, Side, and
Isometric) using the Drawing View Creation Wizard.
2. Add a detail view using the Detail View command.
3. Use a cutting plane to create a section view, and then place the view on the
drawing using the Section View command.
4. Adjust the position of views on the drawing.
5. Add drawing view labels.
6. Change and show drawing view scale.
7. Open the model from the drawing to make a change, and then update the drawing
views.
Otherwise, select the icon in the upper left corner of the screen, which will bring up the
following window.
Select the Solid Edge Options at the bottom of the screen which will bring up the
following window.
Within this window, select User Profile, then use the down arrow next to User type and
select Traditional and Synchronous. Select OK. This will change the start up screen to
be the following, which will allow you to select Traditional part construction.
The next step is to change the units to ISO. Select the icon in the upper left corner and
then select New as shown.
Within this window select More and then iso draft.dft and then OK. Now you can start
the construction of the model.
Click the Background tab, and set the Background Sheet option to A3-Sheet.
On the Drawing Standard page, under Projection Angle, select Third for third-angle
projection, and then OK.
If you are using third-angle projection, on the Drawing View Layout page of the Drawing
View Creation Wizard, select the views shown in the illustration below, and then click
Finish.
If you are using first-angle projection, select the views shown below, then click Finish.
Notice that the rectangle attached to the cursor changes size. It now represents the size of
the four views you have specified.
Do not click the drawing sheet yet.
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Select the Save As option using the icon in the top-left corner of the screen and save the
part as Tutorial.dft.
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1. Position the cursor over the view you want to move, so that it highlights and the
cursor changes to a circle.
2. Hold the left mouse button while you drag the view.
3. Release the mouse button.
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Use the technique described above to adjust the spacing of the views on the drawing.
When you drag the Front or Top view, the other view moves with it to maintain proper
drawing view alignment.
For the third-angle projection, position the views as shown.
When you move one of the primary views, such as Front, Right, or Top, drawing view
alignment lines are displayed to help you maintain proper view alignment on the drawing
sheet. This is also true for section and auxiliary views.
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You can temporarily disable drawing view alignment by right-clicking the view, and then
clearing the Maintain Alignment setting on the shortcut menu. This enables you to
reposition the view independently on the drawing sheet. The section view remains
completely associative to the original part.
In the Side view, click the center of the area where you want to create the detail. This is
the center of the circular detail envelope.
For this tutorial, click the center of the notch. (1)
Move the cursor to the side, and then click to specify the diameter of the circular detail
envelope. (2)
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The detail view envelop now is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to position the
detail view where you want it on the drawing, and then click. (3)
Before you create the detail view, you can change the default settings on the Detail View
command bar.
1. The default detail view scale is two times the scale of the view it was derived
from. You can change the Scale before you place it, or you can change the scale
later.
2. The default detail envelope shape is a circle, but you can draw a user-defined
envelope shape using the Define Profile option.
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3. The default detail view updates with changes to the view it is derived from. You
can select the Independent Detail View option to create a detail view that is
independent of the source view.
On the drawing sheet, click the detail view. On the Select command bar, click the Show
Scale button.
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4. You can adjust the area shown in the detail view by selecting the detail envelope
on the source view and moving it.
5. You can change the shape and size of the detail view by double-clicking the
envelope on the source view, and then using the 2D geometry modification
handles to change it. When you are done, you need to click Close Detail Envelope
on the ribbon.
If you are using third-angle projection, adjust the position and spacing so that the drawing
looks like this.
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Draw the cutting plane line horizontally through the two holes in the part, as shown
below.
As you draw, notice that IntelliSketch is active, so you can locate the centers of the holes
as you draw the lines.
1. Place the cursor on a hole, but do not click. Notice that the circle highlights and
that a center mark appears at the center of the circle. Now, move the cursor to the
right or left of the view, and then click to start the line.
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2. Move the cursor to the opposite side, making sure the horizontal indicator is
displayed, and then click.
3. Right-click to end the line.
On the ribbon, click Close Cutting Plane. The cutting plane line options are
hidden.
For third-angle projection, move the cursor so the section view direction arrows point up,
and then click.
On the status bar at the bottom of the application window, click Fit.
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Click the cutting plane line you created previously. Click where you want to place the
section view. Press Esc to end the command.
A close-up of the section view annotation for third-angle projection looks like this:
If needed, select one or more views to adjust the spacing between them.
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You may see a dialog box that explains that the change to the display settings you just
made affects the default part edge display settings for this drawing view. Click OK.
Click OK to close the dialog box.
Click the Fit button.
Place the cursor on the hole feature shown below, so that the cylinder highlights, and then
click to select it.
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Notice where the cursor is in this illustration. Click this edit definition handle, which
looks just like text.
The edit definition handle is activated, and a dialog box is displayed near the selected
text.
In the Counterbore Diameter box, type 20, and then press Enter.
On the Quick Access toolbar, click Save to save the part model.
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The Drawing View Tracker lists all of the views on the drawing. This icon indicates that a
view is out of date:
As you move your cursor down the list, the view highlights on
the drawing sheet.
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Click the Update Views button at the bottom of the dialog box to update all of the
views at once.
Observe the following:
1. In the Drawing View Tracker, the out-of-date icon in front of each drawing view
name has been replaced by this icon:
2. On the sheet, the gray outline around each of the drawing views is gone.
If our drawing contained dimensions, then the Dimension Tracker would be displayed to
show the dimensions that were affected by our design change. On complex drawings,
Dimension Tracker makes it easy to track dimensional changes and annotations whose
positions have changed.
Close the Drawing View Tracker.
You can use the Details button on the Drawing View Tracker to get much more
information about what has changed and why. The Details button displays the Details
box, which shows details for the model or drawing view selected in the Drawing View
Status box.
1. When a model is selected, the current state of the model is displayed, such as
whether the model has been modified or is missing.
2. When a view is selected, the current representation of the drawing view with
respect to the current model is displayed.
3. You can highlight assemblies, subassemblies, and parts by clicking them in the
Details box. The highlight is displayed in all views on the active sheet.
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Result
For third-angle projection, your drawing view arrangement should be similar to:
On the Quick Access toolbar at top-left of the application window, click the Save
button to save your work.
You will begin by dimensioning the Detail view to learn how to use the SmartDimension
command.
Then, you will retrieve dimensions from the part model as a starting point for
dimensioning these views:
1. Top view
2. Front view
CleanupYou will delete the unneeded dimensions retrieved from the model, and adjust
the placement of those that remain.
Finally, you will add some different types of dimensions, as well as all of the other
annotations.
When you are finished, your drawing will be fully detailed, like this one:
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Click once above and to the left of the Detail view, and then drag the cursor below and to
the right of the view, as shown below.
Release the mouse button.
When you release the mouse button, the view zooms into the area enclosed by this
rectangle.
Right-click to exit the Zoom Area command.
1. If you right-click to end the command, you can return to a command in progress
without interrupting it.
2. If you press Esc to end the command, then you also cancel any other command in
progress.
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1. Click the line at the top of the notch, and then move the cursor above the notch.
Notice that projection lines, dimension arrows, leader lines, and the dimension
text reposition dynamically, depending on where you move the cursor.
2. Position the dimension as shown in the illustration, and click to place it.
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Before you click to place a dimension, you can affect how the dimension text and arrows
are placed. Your cursor position dynamically determines where the dimension, extension
lines, and dimension text will be located.
For example, if you move the cursor above or below the extension lines, the text and
arrows will be placed outside the dimension lines.
To make the dimensions easier to read, you can change the dimension text size on the
command bar.
For example, select a dimension extension line, and in the Text Scale box, type 2, and
press Enter.
You can change dimension text size before you place a dimension, and all dimensions
you place without exiting the command will keep the new size. You can select an existing
dimension and change its size individually.
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Click the Front view. The dimensions are copied from the model to the drawing view, as
shown here.
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Now click the Top view to retrieve its dimensions. Do not retrieve the dimensions for
the section view. They are not needed for this tutorial. Press Esc to end the command.
Your drawing should look like the one shown here.
is selected.
3. Click at the midpoint of the top of the hole to complete the center line.
The Center Line command is still active for you to add another center line:
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1. Move the cursor over the line at the bottom of the hole on the right, and when the
midpoint relationship indicator appears , click on it.
2. Click at the midpoint of the top of the hole to complete the center line.
3. Press Esc to end the command.
For more relationships and dimensioning and drawing options, you can open the
IntelliSketch dialog box and review the Relationships page. To open the dialog box, click
the advanced options indicator on the IntelliSketch group:
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4. Move the cursor to position the dimension above the part, and then click to place
it.
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3. On the Edit Definition command bar, in the Tolerance group, click the Dimension
Type button.
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The dimension updates automatically to show the reference symbol ( ). This dimension
references a dimension in the Detail view.
2. You can change the orientation of dimensions placed with the Dimension
Between command and the Coordinate Dimension commands.
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Your drawing views should be spaced approximately like those shown below.
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4. Move the cursor to the left to position the dimension as shown below, and then
click to place it.
5. Press Esc.
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Dimension the angle between the two top faces of the part.
1. In the Home tab>Dimension group, select the Angle Between command.
2. On the command bar, in the Properties group, select By 2 Points from the
Orientation list.
3. Place the cursor on the line representing the angled face (1), and when the
midpoint indicator is displayed, click.
4. Place the cursor on the line representing the lower, notched face (2), and when the
midpoint indicator is displayed, click.
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1. Click SmartDimension.
2. Position the cursor so the radius highlights, and then click.
4. Press Esc.
The dimensioned Front view should match the illustration at the top of the page.
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2. Press the left mouse button, and then drag the dimension closer to the part.
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2. Press the left mouse button, and then drag the dimension text outside the
extension lines.
3. Release the mouse button.
Adjust the position of another dimension by moving the 105 dimension line so that it is
positioned above the part. Your Front view should be as follows:
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Rather than move the dimension text, you can move the dimension arrows outside the
extension lines. Just drag either of the dimension arrows.
3. Click OK to continue.
On the command bar, select Leader and Break Line.
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3. Type the symbol values 0.3, B, A, and C. Click in the Content box at the location
you want the value to appear, and then type.
The Preview area at the right side of the dialog box shows how the annotation will appear
on the drawing.
Place the Feature Control Frame without a leader below the hole diameter callout by
doing the following:
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4. Press Esc.
A feature control frame is composed of two or more rectangular compartments that
contain information about tolerances. The first block always contains a geometric
characteristic symbol. Subsequent compartments contain tolerance values and symbols
representing part variations, such as maximum material condition.
A feature control frame has the following parts:
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In the drawing view, position the cursor on the line at the top of the notch, as shown
below. When the midpoint indicator is displayed, click the line.
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Move the cursor to the right of the part, and click to place the datum frame.
Press Esc.
Hold the Shift key and click the Fit button
This brings everything within the drawing border back into view, but not the drawing
sheet itself. When you are finished, the Front view should match the one the one shown
below.
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If you have trouble selecting exactly what you want among multiple elements, you can
use QuickPick. When you see the QuickPick symbol displayed near your cursor, rightclick.
Then, from the QuickPick list, click the element that you want to select. If there are
multiple elements with the same name, such as Line, move your cursor down the list and
watch as each one highlights in the window.
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The command you are using continues uninterruptedly, using the element you selected.
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Move dimensions by placing the cursor on the dimension line, and then dragging the
dimension. Move dimensions 67, 19 (top), 18, and 19 (left side).
Adjust the position of the dimension text by placing the cursor on the text, and then
dragging the text. Move the text in dimensions 19 (top), 18, and 19 (left side). Adjust
the placement of dimension arrows by placing the cursor on either arrow, and then
dragging it outside (or inside) the extension line.
1. At the top of the part, move the dimension 19 arrows to the right, so they are
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1. Right-click dimension 19, and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.
2. In the Dimension Properties dialog box, click the Terminator And Symbol tab.
3. On the Terminator and Symbol page, in the Terminator area, change the Display
setting from Both to Origin, as shown below.
Now, only one of the dimension 19 arrows is displayed, removing the overlap with
dimension 18.
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5. Move the cursor to the middle of the circle, and when the center point indicator is
displayed, click to select it. (2)
6. Position the dimension as shown in the illustration below, and then click.
7. Click the line at the bottom of the part, and then click to place the second
dimension in the stack, as shown below.
8. Press Esc.
Dimension one of two chamfered corners, adding a dimension prefix that references both
chamfers.
1. In the Home tab>Dimension group, select the Chamfer Dimension command.
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2. Click the vertical line at the right side of the part, between the chamfered lines. (1)
3. Click the bottom chamfer. (2).
5. In the Dimension Prefix dialog box, in the Prefix box, type 2X, click Apply, and
close the dialog box.
6. Move the cursor to position the dimension as shown below, and then click to place
it.
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7. Press Esc.
The Hole Callout option causes the callout to reference the predefined property text
strings on the Hole Callout page of the dialog box. The hole you select to place the
callout determines which string is used to extract information.
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3. With your cursor still in the Counterbore box, press the right arrow key until you
see the text DEEP, and then double-click to select it.
2. This string replaces the text DEEP with the Depth symbol:
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2. Move the cursor above the part, and watch the annotation flips based on your
cursor position. Move it slightly to the right of the hole, so the annotation is
oriented as shown below, and click to place it. (1)
3. Press Esc.
4. Select the annotation leader at the jog, and drag it to a better position. (2)
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6. Press Esc.
Add a Feature Control Frame to the simple hole and the counterbore hole.
1. Choose the Feature Control Frame command.
2. On the command bar, do the following:
3. In the Feature Control Frame dialog box, use the buttons and type to create the
frame for both holes in the Top view, as shown below.
4. Place the annotation using the simple hole callout by doing the following:
Position the Feature Control Frame below the callout, and then click to place
it.
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5. Use the same technique to place the feature control frame using the counterbore
hole callout.
6. Press Esc.
Click Fit
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Save your work and obtain a print out.
Congratulations!
You have completed the Detailing Drawings tutorial. To summarize, you have learned
how to do the following:
1. Retrieve dimensions from the model.
2. Add new dimensions to the drawing views, such as:
1. SmartDimension
2. Distance Between
3. Chamfer Dimension
3. Modify the format of dimensions.
4. Add a variety of annotations:
1. Smart Hole callouts
2. Datum frames
3. Feature control frames
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