Dimensions

A dimension is a measurement written on the drawing itself: pick two points — or a curve, an angle, a solid — and the value appears where the bench can read it, updating if the model changes. These are Rhino’s dimension commands, gathered on the Drafting tab; there is one for each kind of measurement, and the right choice depends on what you are measuring.

If you want a whole set of measurements placed in one go instead, use Dimensions by Box, Dimensions for Ring or Dimensions for Bangle.

Linear Dimension

The Dim command draws horizontal or vertical linear dimensions — the straight-line distance between two points, measured along the X or Y axis of the view. The everyday dimension for widths and heights on a technical drawing.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Horizontal Dimension

The Dim command draws horizontal linear dimensions: the distance between two points measured along the X axis, whatever the direction between them. Use it for widths — the shank at its base, the head across the top view.

Steps

1. Start the command.

2. Pick two points.

3. Pick the third point to locate the dimension line.

   When the dimension text does not fit between the extension lines, you can place it on the left or right.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Vertical Dimension

The Dim command draws vertical linear dimensions: the distance between two points measured along the Y axis of the view. Use it for heights — the total height of the ring in a front view, or how far the stone rises above the band.

Steps

1. Start the command.

2. Pick two points.

3. Pick the third point to locate the dimension line.

   When the dimension text does not fit between the extension lines, you can place the dimension text on left or right.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Aligned Dimension

The DimAligned command draws a linear dimension lined up with two points: instead of projecting onto an axis, it measures the real distance along the direction between them. The one to use for slanted features, such as the length of a shoulder or a tapered prong.

Steps

1. Start the command.

2. Pick two points.

3. Pick the third point to locate the dimension line.

   When the dimension text does not fit between the extension lines, you can place the dimension text on left or right.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Rotated Dimension

The DimRotated command draws a linear dimension rotated from the xy-axis: you set the angle of the dimension line first, and the distance is measured along that direction. Useful when several measures must follow the same inclined axis of the design.

Steps

1. Start the command.
2. Enter a number to set the rotation angle of the dimension line.
   The rotation angle can also be set by picking two points.
3. Pick two points.
4. Pick the third point to locate the dimension line.
   When the dimension text does not fit between the extension lines, you can place it on the left or right side.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Angle Dimension

The DimAngle command dimensions the angle of an arc, or between two selected lines, or from three points — the opening between two directions, in degrees. In jewelry it answers questions like how much a prong leans or how wide a bypass opens.

Steps

1. Select an arc or select two lines, polyline segments, linear surfaces, or poly surface edges.
2. Pick the dimension location.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Radial Dimension

The DimRadius command dimensions the radius of an arc or circle — the distance from the center to the edge, the measure a goldsmith needs for every fillet and bend. Dimensions always measure like the object was projected to the current construction plane.

Steps

1. Select a curve
2. Pick a dimension location

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Diameter Dimension

The DimDiameter command dimensions the diameter of a selected curve — the full width of a circle through its center. The natural dimension for the finger size circle and for round stones.

Steps

1. Select a curve.
2. Pick the dimension location.
   Dimensions always measure like the object was projected to the current construction plane.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Center Mark

The Centermark command draws a cross or cross and centre lines at the centre point of a curve — it does not measure anything, it marks where the center is, which is exactly what the setter needs to locate drill positions. The size and style of the center mark are controlled by the Annotation Style and the Centermark properties.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Curve Dimension

The DimCurveLength command dimensions the length of a curve or edge — the true developed length following the curve, not the straight distance between its ends. This is the measure for how much wire or strip of metal a piece needs before bending.

Steps

1. Select a curve or an edge.
2. Pick a starting point for the text or leader.
   If the Leader option is used, continue to draw leader points for the Leader command.
   The length of the curve is automatically entered.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.

Volume Dimension

The DimVolume command dimensions the volume of a closed extrusion, surface, poly surface, mesh, or SubD — the enclosed volume of the solid, which multiplied by the metal’s density gives you its weight.

Steps

1. Select a closed extrusion, surface, polysurface, mesh, or SubD.
2. Pick a starting point for the text or leader.
   If the Leader option is used, continue to draw leader points for the Leader command.
   The volume of the object is automatically entered.

For more information, please refer to the Rhino documentation.