19.12.2 Automatically dimensioning a sketch

Adding dimensions to a sketch helps you finalize the size and shape of a sketched feature. ABAQUS/CAE can apply dimensions to your sketch automatically. You can use the sketcher options to select the types of dimensions that ABAQUS/CAE can add to the sketch. (For more information, see Customizing the format and use of dimensions in the Sketcher, Section 19.9.7.)

To dimension a sketch automatically:

  1. From the tools in the Sketcher toolbox, select the auto-dimension tool . For a diagram of the tools in the Sketcher toolbox, see The Sketcher tools, Section 19.4.1.

    ABAQUS/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the procedure.

  2. Select the entities to be dimensioned.

    Note:  You can select the entire sketch; ABAQUS/CAE will not duplicate any existing dimensions.

  3. Toggle on Auto-Constrain if you also want ABAQUS/CAE to create constraints automatically for the selected entities.

  4. Click Done in the prompt area.

    ABAQUS/CAE creates the dimensions—and constraints, if selected—on the sketch.

  5. If desired, use the drag tool to move dimensions that appear within the sketched feature and use the delete tool to remove any unwanted dimensions or constraints. For more information, see Dragging Sketcher objects, Section 19.17.1, and Deleting Sketcher objects, Section 19.18.4, respectively.


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