Creating Dimensions between Intersection Points

This task will show you how to create dimensions between an intersection point and an element or between two intersection points.

1. Click Dimension in the Dimensioning toolbar.

2. Click Intersection Point Detection in the Tools Palette. 

3. Position the pointer over the first intersection point, or over the first and then the second reference element.
   The intersection point is detected, and a preview of the intersection point is displayed.

4. Click to create the intersection point.
   The point is created, as well as construction lines and coincidence constraints between the point and its reference elements.

5. Now, position the pointer over the second intersection point.

6. Click to create the intersection point.
   A preview of the dimension is displayed. By default, this dimension is a distance dimension.

7. Optionally, at this point, if you want to create a diameter dimension or a radius dimension rather than a distance dimension, you can right-click and change the dimension type from the default Distance to Diameter Edge or Radius Edge.

8. Using the mouse, position the dimension as wanted.

9. Click to validate and end the dimension creation.

   Dimension created between intersecting points measures the distance between the 2D points. Thus, in case of generated views, as these 2D points are constrained on the generated geometry they are impacted by generative view operations like breaks for broken views. As a result the dimension may not reflect the true 3D part/product value. For example a distance dimension between two intersection points will show a value smaller than the distance measured on the 3D part, when the view is broken between these points.

More About Dimensions Between Intersection Points

An intersection point is the meeting point of two curves, two fictive curve extensions, or a curve and a fictive curve extension. You can create dimensions between an intersection point and another element, or between two intersection points.

There are two types of intersection points: definite intersection points or fictive intersection points.

Definite intersection: A definite intersection point is the meeting point of two curves which physically intersect each other.

Fictive intersection: A fictive intersection point is the meeting point of 2 fictive curve extensions, or a curve and a fictive curve extension.

Creating a dimension between intersection points is a sort of "shortcut" that combines the creation of 2D intersection points, construction lines, coincidence constraints (on 2D elements only), a 2D line and a dimension all at once. There is no actual link between the dimension and the geometry on which it is based.

The table below summarizes the kind of intersection detected in Drafting and 2D Layout for 3D Design, depending on the type of element pointed by the pointer.

The table below summarizes the kind of intersection detected in 2D Layout for 3D Design only, depending on the type of element pointed by the pointer.

Dimensioning Commands Supporting Intersection Point Detection

The detection of intersection point when dimensioning is supported by the following commands:

• Dimensions
• Chained/Cumulated/Stacked Dimensions
• Length/Distance Dimensions
• Radius Dimensions
• Diameter Dimensions

Definition of Intersection Points in the Standards

The display and behavior of intersection points is defined by the administrator in the standards. Indeed, the administrator can specify the style that should be applied to the intersection point and construction line, whether the intersection point can be printed or not, and whether construction lines should be displayed and/or printable. For more information, refer to Dimension Parameters.

In the Knowledgebase

• Previewing intersection points
• Detecting intersection points
• Deleting a dimension between intersection points