It is possible to create dimension line features using special line types and feature label formatting. Once a dimension line feature has been created, you can duplicate it and move the end points to snap to existing features or points.

Click here to download a self extracting zip file that contains four files: The file Dim.lin contains three dimension line types (right at the end). Dim.sym contains the components used to create the line types. Dim.ter and Dim.tlt are a terrain file with the line types shown.

How do I use the dimension lines?

1. Open or create the Terrain where you need dimension lines.
2. Use Module-Setup, Edit Linetypes to Open the Dim.lin file (downloaded above).
3. Use View-Plan Options to turn on Snap To point.
4. Create a new feature (Edit-Digitize/Draw New Feature or Ctrl-F) and snap the end points to some thing you want to dimension.
5. Change the line type of the new feature (Ctrl-L) to one of the dimension line types (84 Dim. Line 1, 85 Dim. Line 2 or 86 Dim. Line 3).
6. Use Edit-Modify Selected Feature(s)-Labels to turn on the Horizontal Distance label type. Before you exit the Labels dialogue box, click on the Advanced button and change the Vertical Offset value: 1.1 characters for Dim. Line 1, 2.2 for Dim. Line 2, 3.3 for Dim. Line 3.
7. Now that you have one working dimension line you can use Ctrl-D to duplicate it. Then, use the right mouse to toggle to the edit cursor (box) and drag the end points of the newly created dimension line to another place.

If you have Terrain version 3.018 or greater, you may replace steps 5 to 7 above by importing Dim.ter (File-Import, select SOFTREE -Terrain File).

Also, note that you can change the font and the number of decimals for the dimension by using View-Plan Options, Labels options (plus sign); highlight the Horizontal Distance label type.

Create your own dimension line types by using Module-Setup, Edit Symbols and Edit Linetypes dialog boxes. The arrow heads and extension lines are first created as symbols, they are then incorporated into line types with appropriate offsets. See, for example, the dimension line types in Dim.lin (84 Dim. Line 1, 85 Dim. Line 2 and 86 Dim. Line 3) and the components in Dim.sym (Dim. Arrow Left, Dim. Arrow Right and Dim. Extension Line 1,2,3).