Posted by ErikH on Jun 18, 2020; 4:00pm
URL: https://forum.librecad.org/Manually-Modified-Dimension-Text-Reverts-when-Paper-Size-Selection-is-Changed-tp5719098.html

I'm using LibreCAD to prepare a floor plan, and to show dimensions for the length and position of interior walls (I'll attach my .dxf file).

13_first_floor_plan_example.dxf

It appears that normally, dimension text is placed to the right of vertically aligned dimension lines, reading down, and placed above horizontally aligned dimension lines, reading left to right.

LibreCad appears to automatically shift dimension text that is too long for the space associated with the dimension line to one end of the dimension line, rather than centering it on the dimension line.

It is possible to highlight the dimenion, and then manually move the dimension text (for example, something like "9'-5 1/2") to another position for good appearance and readability of the drawing.

However, there appears to be a problem: dimension text will "jump back" to the default position assigned by the program if paper size is changed in "Current Drawing Preferences".  (For example, usually I plan to go to a print shop to print out my drawings on Ledger or Tabloid, 11x17" paper, but in a pinch, I sometimes print out a drawing on 8.5x11" paper.)

And it appears that manually positioned dimensions "jump back" to default positions simply by opening the Current Drawing Preferences dialog box for dimensioning.

I tried one work-around: for dimension text I wanted in a different position:  I used the Preferences tool on the default dimension and insert a "space" in place of the text, and then create a MText line with the dimension text, and place it where I want it.

This caused unpredictable problems with the overall size of the drawing.  (I suspect this might be an easy programming fix.)

My 2nd work-around, was to use the Preferences tool for the dimensions I wanted to change, but put a period, ".", in place of the dimension text.  The period is usually not too noticeable on the drawing, and I can create an MText label with the dimension text, and place it where I want.  This method so far appears not to change the overall drawing size.

Q1. Is there a way to fix the bug so that replacing dimension text with a "space" does not change the overall size of the drawing?

Q2. Is there a way to fix the bug so that manually re-positioning dimension text is not "undone" when changing the paper size?

Q3. Is there a way to specify the relative position and alignment of dimension text?  (Perhaps this is coming in a future release of LibreCAD.)

Q4. In trying to pose this as a question that could be understandable, I tried the 2nd work-around described above, and I think that might work for me.  Does anyone have other options?

Thanks much.  (I'm really liking LibreCAD - I'm learning more and more how to use it efficiently.)