The Auto Dimension Tool in Chief Architect is a time-saving feature that automatically applies dimensions to your floor plan, ensuring accuracy and consistency. This tool is especially helpful when creating construction documents or layouts that need precise measurements. Here’s how you can use the Auto Dimension Tool to dimension your designs effectively.
1. Preparing Your Floor Plan
- Before using the Auto Dimension Tool, make sure your floor plan is complete. Ensure that walls, doors, windows, and other elements are properly placed and aligned. The tool works best when the layout is accurate and finalized.
2. Accessing the Auto Dimension Tool
- Open your project in Chief Architect.
- Go to the Tools menu at the top of the screen, and select Auto Dimension.
- Alternatively, you can access it from the Edit Toolbar if it is available, or you can use the Auto Dimension button located on the Primary Toolbar.
3. Selecting the Area to Dimension
- The next step is to select the area of the plan you want to dimension. Chief Architect offers flexibility to dimension either the entire plan or specific sections.
- You can choose to dimension:
- Exterior walls: Select the outside perimeter of the building.
- Interior walls: Select the interior layout to dimension room sizes and openings.
- Doors and Windows: These will be automatically incorporated into the dimensioning process if you have included them in your layout.
4. Configuring Dimension Settings
- Once you’ve selected the area, a dialog box will appear that allows you to configure your dimension settings.
- Dimension Type: You can choose whether to dimension to the center of walls, the outer edges, or another reference point.
- Spacing: Control the spacing of the dimension lines (e.g., set them to be closer together or farther apart based on the complexity of your layout).
- Dimension Format: Adjust how the dimensions are displayed (e.g., decimal, fraction, feet/inches, etc.).
5. Applying the Dimensions
- After configuring your settings, click OK or Apply to place the dimensions onto your floor plan.
- Chief Architect will automatically place dimensions at the selected points of your layout, ensuring that walls, doors, and windows are accurately measured.
6. Adjusting the Dimensions Manually
- Although the Auto Dimension Tool provides a lot of convenience, you may want to tweak the dimensions afterward.
- To do so, select a dimension line and drag it to reposition, or right-click on it to open the Dimension Specification dialog to make further adjustments, such as changing the dimension type or format.
- You can also modify individual dimensions by selecting them and adjusting the measurement manually.
7. Customizing the Appearance of Dimensions
- Chief Architect allows you to customize how dimensions appear on the printed layout. To do this, go to Edit > Preferences, and then click on the Dimensions tab.
- Here, you can adjust line thickness, text size, arrow styles, and other settings to ensure that the dimensions are readable and fit with the overall style of your plans.
8. Updating Dimensions Automatically
- One of the best features of the Auto Dimension Tool is its ability to update automatically when changes are made to the floor plan. For example, if you move a wall or add a new room, the dimensions will adjust accordingly to reflect those changes.
- Simply press F5 or go to the Tools menu and select Rebuild All Floors, and the dimension lines will be recalculated.
9. Placing Dimensions in Elevation Views
- In addition to floor plans, you can also use the Auto Dimension Tool in Elevation Views to dimension the height of walls, doors, and windows.
- To do this, simply switch to an Elevation View and follow the same steps as you would in a floor plan.
By using the Auto Dimension Tool in Chief Architect, you can save time and ensure accuracy in your designs. The tool not only automates the process of dimensioning your layout but also helps you maintain consistent measurements across the project. This is especially useful for contractors, architects, and designers who need to generate detailed and professional construction documents.