Dimensions
Dimension tools place annotated measurement lines on your plan. Five types are available: linear, angular, radius/diameter, ordinate, and polyline.
DimensionsThe Dimension tools annotate your plan with measured distances and angles. Six dimension types cover a wide range of annotation needs: Linear (point-to-point distance), Angular (corner or opening angle), Radius (circle or arc radius), Diameter (full across-the-circle measurement), Ordinate (X or Y coordinate label), and Chain (cumulative distances along connected segments). All labels display in the project's current unit system — switch between metric and imperial in Project Settings and every annotation updates instantly.
Radius and diameter
Ordinate dimension
Places horizontal or vertical stacked coordinates relative to a datum point. Click the origin point, then click the feature to measure.
Polyline dimension
Measures the cumulative length of a multi-segment path. Click points along the path, press Enter to finish. The label shows the total path length.
Annotate a radius or diameter
Select the Radius Dimension or Diameter Dimension tool. Click the center point of a circle or arc, then click a point on its perimeter — the Radius value auto-fills in the tool panel. Move the mouse to position the leader line and click to place. For a diameter annotation the line passes through the center with arrows at both ends.
Label a coordinate with ordinate dimensions
Select the Ordinate Dimension tool and click the point you want to label. Move the mouse — dragging mostly vertically places the X coordinate label; dragging mostly horizontally places the Y coordinate label. The axis is chosen automatically from your drag direction. Click to place the leader and label. Stack multiple ordinate dimensions along a baseline to produce a clean reference grid for contractors.
Measure a chain of segments
Select the Chain Dimension tool and click each point along the path in order. The tool panel shows the live Points count and the Total Length, and the Offset field controls how far the dimension line floats above the path. Double-click the final point or press Enter to finish — the chain places a label for each segment at once.
Edit a placed dimension
Click any placed dimension to select it. The Inspector panel on the right shows the same coordinate and offset fields as the tool panel — edit them here to reposition the dimension line without deleting and redrawing. To move a dimension leader interactively, drag its end-point handle on the canvas.
Dimensions stay linked to the positions you set at placement time. If you move a measured object, the dimension line stays in place — reposition it via the Inspector Offset field or by dragging its handle.
All dimension labels respect the project's active unit system. To switch between metric and imperial, go to Project Settings → Units. Every existing dimension updates its label instantly — no need to redraw them.
For construction drawings, use Chain Dimensions along path edges to show cumulative setout distances. Main paths should be 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft) wide for two people side-by-side; secondary paths 0.6–0.9 m (2–3 ft). Allow at least 0.9 m (3 ft) clearance around dining tables.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Enter | Finish chain dimension |
| Escape | Cancel current operation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the chain dimension keep adding points instead of finishing?
Each click adds another point to the chain. To complete it, double-click the last point or press Enter. Press Escape at any time to discard the chain without placing it.
How do I show a diameter instead of a radius?
Use the Diameter Dimension tool — it is separate from the Radius Dimension tool. The Radius tool places an R-value label with a single leader; the Diameter tool draws a full chord line through the center with arrows at both ends and shows the Ø value.
My angular dimension reads the wrong angle — what happened?
Click order matters: the first click must be the Vertex (corner point), and the second and third clicks define the two arms. If the arc lands on the wrong side, delete the dimension and re-place it, making sure to click the vertex first.
Can I enter dimension points as coordinates rather than clicking on the canvas?
Yes. Every dimension tool has coordinate fields (Point A, Point B, Vertex, etc.) in the tool sidebar. Type exact coordinates there and the canvas preview updates live. Click Apply in the panel to place the dimension without drawing on the canvas at all.
How do I move a dimension line without changing the measured points?
Select the dimension and adjust the Offset field in the Inspector, or drag the dimension line's midpoint handle on the canvas. The measured end-points stay anchored; only the line's distance from those points changes.