Ordinate dimensions measure the perpendicular distance from an origin point call

ed the datum to a dimensioned feature, such as a hole in a part. These dimension

s prevent escalating errors by maintaining accurate offsets of the features from
the datum.

Ordinate dimensions consist of an X or Y value with a leader line. X-datum ordin
ate dimensions measure the distance of a feature from the datum along the X axis
. Y-datum ordinate dimensions measure the distance along the Y axis. If you spec
ify a point, AutoCAD automatically determines whether it is an X- or Y-datum ord
inate dimension. This is called an automatic ordinate dimension. If the distance
is greater for the Y value, the dimension measures the X value. Otherwise, it m
easures the Y value.

AutoCAD uses the absolute coordinate value of the current UCS to determine the o
rdinate values. Before creating ordinate dimensions, you typically reset the UCS
origin to coincide with the datum.

The dimension text is aligned with the ordinate leader line, regardless of the t
ext orientation defined by the current dimension style. You can accept the defau
lt text or supply your own.
Comments?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
D Commands D Commands

DIMORDINATE Command
Concepts Procedures Reference

Creates ordinate point dimensions
Ordinate dimensions display the X or Y ordinate of a feature along with a simple
leader line. These dimensions are also known as datum dimensions. AutoCAD uses
the current user coordinate system (UCS) to determine the measured X or Y ordina
te and draws the leader line in a direction orthogonal to the axes of the curren
t UCS. The absolute value of the coordinate is used according to the prevailing
standards for ordinate dimensions.

Dimension toolbar:
Dimension menu: Ordinate
Command line: dimordinate
Specify feature location: Specify a point or snap to an object
Specify leader endpoint or [Xdatum/Ydatum/Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point or
enter an option
Leader Endpoint Specification
Uses the difference between the feature location and the leader endpoint to dete
rmine whether it is an X or a Y ordinate dimension. If the difference in the Y o
rdinate is greater, the dimension measures the X ordinate. Otherwise, it measure
s the Y ordinate.

Xdatum

Measures the X ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and di
mension text. AutoCAD displays the Leader Endpoint prompt, where you can specify
the endpoint.

Ydatum

Measures the Y ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and di
mension text. AutoCAD displays the Leader Endpoint prompts, where you can specif
y the endpoint.

Mtext
Displays the Multiline Text Editor, which you can use to edit the dimension text
. AutoCAD represents the generated measurement with angle brackets (< >). To add
a prefix or a suffix to the generated measurement, enter the prefix or suffix b
efore or after the angle brackets. Use control codes and Unicode character strin
gs to enter special characters or symbols. See Control Codes and Special Charact
ers.
To edit or replace the generated measurement, delete the angle brackets, enter t
he new dimension text, and then choose OK. If alternate units are not turned on
in the dimension style, you can display them by entering square brackets ([ ]).
For more information about formatting dimension text, see Dimensions and Toleran
ces, in the User's Guide.
The current dimension style determines the appearance of the generated measureme
nts. After you choose OK, AutoCAD redisplays the Leader Endpoint prompt.

Text
Customizes the dimension text on the command line. AutoCAD displays the generate
d dimension measurement within angle brackets.
Enter dimension text <current>: Enter the dimension text, or press ENTER to acc
ept the generated measurement
To include the generated measurement, use angle brackets (< >) to represent the
generated measurement. If alternate units are not turned on in the dimension sty
le, you can display alternate units by entering square brackets ([ ]).
Dimension text properties are set on the Text tab of the New, Modify, and Overri
de Dimension Style dialog boxes. After you press ENTER, AutoCAD redisplays the L
eader Endpoint prompt.

Angle
Changes the angle of the dimension text.
Specify angle of dimension text:
Enter an angle. For example, to rotate the text 45 degrees, enter 45.
After you specify the angle, AutoCAD redisplays the Leader Endpoint prompt.

Display all hidden text on this page. Comments?
Ydatum

Measures the Y ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and di
mension text. AutoCAD displays the Leader Endpoint prompts, where you can specif
y the endpoint.
D Commands D Commands

DIMORDINATE Command
Concepts Procedures Reference

Creates ordinate point dimensions
Ordinate dimensions display the X or Y ordinate of a feature along with a simple
leader line. These dimensions are also known as datum dimensions. AutoCAD uses
the current user coordinate system (UCS) to determine the measured X or Y ordina
te and draws the leader line in a direction orthogonal to the axes of the curren
t UCS. The absolute value of the coordinate is used according to the prevailing
standards for ordinate dimensions.

Dimension toolbar:
Dimension menu: Ordinate
Command line: dimordinate
Specify feature location: Specify a point or snap to an object
Specify leader endpoint or [Xdatum/Ydatum/Mtext/Text/Angle]: Specify a point or
enter an option
Leader Endpoint Specification
Uses the difference between the feature location and the leader endpoint to dete
rmine whether it is an X or a Y ordinate dimension. If the difference in the Y o
rdinate is greater, the dimension measures the X ordinate. Otherwise, it measure
s the Y ordinate.

Xdatum

Measures the X ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and di
mension text. AutoCAD displays the Leader Endpoint prompt, where you can specify
the endpoint.

Ydatum

Measures the Y ordinate and determines the orientation of the leader line and di
mension text. AutoCAD displays the Leader Endpoint prompts, where you can specif
y the endpoint.

Mtext
Displays the Multiline Text Editor, which you can use to edit the dimension text
. AutoCAD represents the generated measurement with angle brackets (< >). To add
a prefix or a suffix to the generated measurement, enter the prefix or suffix b
efore or after the angle brackets. Use control codes and Unicode character strin
gs to enter special characters or symbols. See Control Codes and Special Charact
ers.
To edit or replace the generated measurement, delete the angle brackets, enter t
he new dimension text, and then choose OK. If alternate units are not turned on
in the dimension style, you can display them by entering square brackets ([ ]).
For more information about formatting dimension text, see Dimensions and Toleran
ces, in the User's Guide.
The current dimension style determines the appearance of the generated measureme
nts. After you choose OK, AutoCAD redisplays the Leader Endpoint prompt.

Text
Customizes the dimension text on the command line. AutoCAD displays the generate
d dimension measurement within angle brackets.
Enter dimension text <current>: Enter the dimension text, or press ENTER to acc
ept the generated measurement
To include the generated measurement, use angle brackets (< >) to represent the
generated measurement. If alternate units are not turned on in the dimension sty
le, you can display alternate units by entering square brackets ([ ]).
Dimension text properties are set on the Text tab of the New, Modify, and Overri
de Dimension Style dialog boxes. After you press ENTER, AutoCAD redisplays the L
eader Endpoint prompt.

Angle
Changes the angle of the dimension text.
Specify angle of dimension text:
Enter an angle. For example, to rotate the text 45 degrees, enter 45.
After you specify the angle, AutoCAD redisplays the Leader Endpoint prompt.

Display all hidden text on this page. Comments?


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Search Results for dimension ordinate
Create Ordinate Dimensions
Ordinate dimensions measure the perpendicular distance from an origin point
called...
February 2, 2012
Add ordinate dimensions
On the ribbon, click Annotate tab Dimension panel Ordinate . In the graphics
window,...
February 12, 2014
Baseline and Ordinate Dimensions
Baseline dimensions are multiple dimensions measured from the same baseline.
April 17, 2014
About Creating Ordinate Dimensions
Ordinate dimensions measure the perpendicular distance from an origin point
called...
October 23, 2013
About Creating Ordinate Dimensions
You use the AMAUTODIM command to create ordinate dimensions. You can
May 15, 2013
To Create an Ordinate Dimension
to the ordinate dimension. Typically, the origin point is defined on the mod
el....
October 23, 2013
To Create an Ordinate Dimension
to the ordinate dimension. Typically, the origin point is defined on the mod
el....
July 1, 2013
Baseline and Ordinate Dimensions
Baseline dimensions are multiple dimensions measured from the same baseline.
February 21, 2011
Placing Ordinate Dimensions
Click Model tabDimension panel (Aligned) or (Linear). In the Type Selector,
select an ordinate
February 21, 2011
Placing Ordinate Dimensions
Click Annotate tabDimension panel (Aligned) or (Linear). In the Type Selecto
r, select an ordinate
April 17, 2014
Create Ordinate Dimensions
Bottom of the Page Procedure Quick Reference Ordinate dimensions measure the
...
September 25, 2012
Commands for Ordinate Dimensions
Commands DIMORDINATE QDIM UCS...
July 1, 2013
About Baseline and Ordinate Dimensions
Create baseline and ordinate dimensions for linear
September 16, 2014
To Convert Between Chain Dimensions, Baseline Dimensions and Ordinate Dimens
ions
Tasks To Create a Baseline Dimension To Create a Chain Dimension To Create 1
-axis...
May 15, 2013
Create an Ordinate Linear Dimension Style
To add an ordinate dimension for a linear dimension...
September 16, 2014
To Create 1-axis Ordinate Dimensions
Click Home tabDimension panelPower Dimension drop-downMultiple Dimension. Fi
nd In...
September 24, 2014
To Create 2-axis Ordinate Dimensions
Click Home tabDimension panelPower Dimension drop-downMultiple Dimension. Fi
nd In...
September 24, 2014
Ordinate dimension set preview
When you placed an ordinate dimension set, you did not see a preview once th
e edge...
June 14, 2006
Creating an Ordinate Linear Dimension Style
for the dimension, such as Ordinate Linear-3/32 Arial, and then click OK. In
the...
February 21, 2011
Changing ordinate dimension text orientation
You want to change the ordinate dimension text orientation to...
March 28, 2007
Changing ordinate dimension selection behavior
You want to change the behavior of ordinate dimension window selection, so i
t is...
December 19, 2006
Rotating Ordinate Dimension Text (just a test)
This video shows how to change a dimension style to rotate dimension text 90
degrees...
January 17, 2013 | Screencast
Edit dimensions in drawings
member correctly. Detach member removes a dimension from the set. Delete mem
ber deletes a member of the baseline...
February 12, 2014
About Dimensioning
Dimensioning is the process of adding measurement annotation to a drawing. Y
ou can create
October 23, 2013
About Dimensioning
Dimensioning is the process of adding measurement annotation to a drawing. Y
ou can create
July 1, 2013
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