Dimensions of Objects
An Object's Dimensions
Every object comes with dimensions.
Dimensions are automatically supplied with every object you create. They change as you change the associated object. Two dimensions are visible in each view of an object, unless you have chosen to hide the dimension from view. You can select a dimension by clicking once on its numbers. A selected dimension is surrounded by a box. In the illustration at right, the dimension of 11 yards is selected.
Once selected, you can move a dimension anywhere in or around its associated object. In the Attributes inspector, you can change its value, or you can double-click it to edit it directly in the drawing.
The Object inspector shows all the values of and gives you control over the dimensions and location of the currently selected object.
You can move a dimension anywhere
You can move it above, below, left, right, to a corner, on top of, anywhere. The arrows and witness lines move with it. Sometimes a dimension fits better if it's outside its witness lines. Sometimes a drawing gets crowded and you need to move dimensions around for better viewing.
Can I edit a dimension right in the design drawing?
Double-click on it and enter a new value for the dimension; then press Return. The object's shape changes instantly. This can be very handy.
Some dimensions won't allow me to edit them. Why?
Dimensions, in fact all attributes, can be locked. If you want to unlock a dimension, select it and open the Attributes inspector and uncheck Lock Value.
Sometimes this checkbox is already unchecked. If so, you will need to go to the attribute referenced by the expression of this attribute. Gack! I know, that's a mouthful. Sometimes, to design a Smart Object well, an unlocked Dimension refers to a locked, author-supplied attribute. Unlock the latter to change it, then lock it again. It was locked for a reason, probably so that it won't change when you stretch or shrink the Smart Object. This is explained in the Attributes inspector.
Can I change the colors?
The Colors inspector lets you select a different color for all your dimensions (and any visible object names). You also have control over the color of hidden dimensions and of the selection box. These values are stored in your design document.
If you change them in your default Template file, they'll show up that way in subsequently created documents.
Hiding and unhiding
Press the Delete key to hide the selected dimension. Sometimes several objects have the same dimension. Deleting the redundant ones cleans up your design. If you change your mind and the hidden dimension is still selected (the Attributes inspector will still contain its information). Press Delete again to make a hidden dimension visible. If the hidden dimension is not selected, you can make it visible by going to the Views banner, and checking Hidden. This will make all hidden dimensions visible, drawn in a distinct color (the default color is grey).
If my dimension is invisible, how can I get it back?
If your dimension is selected, tap the delete key to restore it to visibility.
But it's invisible and unselected, so I can't select it! Now what?
If your dimension isn't selected, you can select it by either of two means: (1) Check the checkbox labeled "Hidden", in the view controls. Hidden dimensions will appear as grey. (2) Select the object which contains the dimension you are interested in. Open the Details View and expand the row that is selected. Select the dimension.
Now that it's selected, tap the delete key to restore it to visibility.
When I draw an object, why do my dimensions sometimes disappear?
The explanation is rather simple: In those cases where they automatically disappear, they simply wouldn't fit. Drawing them would be cluttered to the point of unreadability -- the numbers, arrows and witness lines being drawn on top of each other. Another way to make them invisible is to select them and delete them. Both these kinds of invisible dimensions -- those that were deleted and those that won't fit -- will become visible when you check the checkbox labeled "Hidden", in the view controls.
The Hidden checkbox is checked and my dimension is still invisible. Now what?
Two other controls exist to manage the visibility of dimensions. Make sure that the checkbox labeled "Dimensions", in the view controls, is checked.
The other control is handled by the group that contains the object in whose dimension you are interested. To get to this group, select the object, then, in the Object inspector, click on the button labeled Select Containing Group. The Object inspector will now display some controls in the area labeled Grouped Objects. One of them is labeled Dimensions. This needs to be checked in order for the dimensions of the contained objects to be visible.
Why is this so complicated?
Good question. It evolved into this complexity. I need to spend some time simplifying it or providing a different (more intuitive) set of controls. I do have some ideas that may do nicely. I won't be implementing them until, probably, 2005, though.
How do I add a dimension between objects?
Since every object is, in effect, a "digital tape measure," in all three dimensions, and can be positioned anywhere, we felt it unnecessary to also supply a ruler.
To create a dimension which measures the distance between objects A and B:
Add a block C. While C is still selected, open the Object inspector, uncheck the box labeled Show, near the top of the inspector. This will leave the dimensions visible (and let you move them around, if you like), but not clutter up your drawing or your materials list with an object that really isn't part of your design. It also still participates in snapping and is selectable, so you can move it. Move C so that it snaps to A. Grab one of the resizing handles of C and stretch (or shrink) it until it snaps to B. You now have an accurate measure of the distance between.
To position B a certain distance from A:
Create block C the same as above (with Show unchecked). Enter a value for the offset distance into the appropriate dimension of C. Now move C so that it snaps to the appropriate face of A. Move object B so that it snaps to the other face of C.
Try this:
- Draw an object.
- Click once on a dimension's numbers.
- Move the dimensions around by click-dragging it.
- Delete it to hide it.
- Delete it again to unhide it.
- Double click on it and change the value to something slightly different, then press the return key.
- Draw several more objects.
- Open the Views banner.
- Click on the box next to Dimensions to turn dimensions off.
- Click on the box next to Dimensions to turn them back on.
- Click on the box next to Hidden Dimensions to turn on hidden dimensions.
- Select a dimension and delete it. It should change color (for hidden dimensions, the default color is grey).
- Delete it again. It's normal color should return.
