Hi Frederick, dimensions are projected onto the current construction plane. You can set the construction plane by using View > CPlane, if you set it so the cplane's origin point is on that surface plane then they will go on there when you draw a new one.

When you're done you can right-click on View > CPlane to reset back to the default world origin/world axis construction plane.

When you place the construction plane for this type of purpose, you probably will want to disable the "Align to objects" checkbox option:


- Michael

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

That explains what I was doing wrong.

It's a bit tedious when placing a lot of dimensions but I don't see how it could be made easier.

Perhaps I can find a way to assign setting the c-plane to one of my unused mouse buttons.

Thanks again.

Frederick

Hi Frederick, if you want to set up a shortcut key for it, put in this for setting the CPlane:

script: moi.view.setCPlaneInteractive();

And this for resetting it:

script: moi.view.resetCPlane();

I originally had the dimensions go on a plane parallel to the cplane but through the first point that you pick. But that can be bad in other situations, see here for some previous discussion:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=9526.62

That also shows how you can modify the dimension command if you want to make it behave like I think you were originally expecting.

- Michael

Hi,

Thanks very much for the link.

Yes that alternate behavior is like what I was expecting.

The issue with placing a dimension from one object to another does not seem like it will be an issue for me in the majority of situations. It's easy enough to work around.

Perhaps a "check box" could be placed on the "dim" panel allowing a quick selection of the two behaviors. This might satisfy most everyone and still allow manual placement of the c-plane as needed.

Just a thought.

Frederick

Hi Frederick,

re:
> Perhaps a "check box" could be placed on the "dim" panel allowing a quick selection of the two
> behaviors. This might satisfy most everyone and still allow manual placement of the c-plane
> as needed.

It will probably end up like that, I kind of want to wait and see a bit how often it comes up.

- Michael