Reference

DIMALIGNED in AutoCAD

Q: What is the shortcut for DIMALIGNED in AutoCAD?

DAL, or DIMALI, then Enter or Space. The full name works too, and _DIMALIGNED in any language of AutoCAD.

Q: What is the difference between DIMLINEAR and DIMALIGNED?

On a slanted edge, DIMLINEAR gives its width or its height, as its dimension line is horizontal or vertical; DIMALIGNED gives its length, with the line parallel to the edge. On an edge along X or Y both give the same number.

Q: How do I write my own text on a dimension?

Choose Text before placing it and type the text: <> stands for the measurement, so “<> mm” writes it followed by its unit, and Enter with nothing typed keeps the measurement alone. Once placed, the Properties palette's Text override changes it.

How AutoCAD's DIMALIGNED (DAL) dimensions a slanted edge, prompt by prompt: two origins or an object, then a line parallel to them. Try it free in your browser.

DIMALIGNED measures the true distance between two points: its dimension line runs parallel to the line through them, at whatever angle, where DIMLINEAR measures only along X or Y. Its prompts are DIMLINEAR's: the first and the second extension line origins, or Enter and a pick on a line, an arc or a polyline segment for its two ends, then the dimension line's location, on either side. A circle picked gives its diameter through the point you picked. The command line says the measurement, and the command ends.

Command: DIMALIGNED
Aliases: DIMALI, DAL
Panel: Annotate
Try it: Open the editor, type DAL and press Enter.

At the command line

The engine draws it and writes its history as you would type it: the prompts in AutoCAD 2027's order, with the same option letters.

Command: DIMALIGNED
Specify first extension line origin or <select object>:
Specify second extension line origin:
Non-associative dimension created.
Specify dimension line location or [Text/Angle]:
Dimension text = 100

A triangle's slanted side dimensioned along its length: its two ends, then where the line goes.

Options

`Text` (`T`)

Asks for the text to write instead of the measurement, which it offers as the default: Enter keeps the measurement. In what you type, <> stands for the measurement.

`Angle` (`A`)

Asks for the angle of the text, which is then drawn at that angle instead of along the dimension line. 0 puts it back along the line.

What it does not do yet

Mtext: a dimension's text is one line, set with Text at the command line, never in the text editor. With an angle set by Angle, AutoCAD centres the text on the dimension line; here it stays above it, as without one. A dimension is not associative: it does not follow the object it measures.

What it does and still lacks, in detail (in English)

Questions

What is the shortcut for DIMALIGNED in AutoCAD?

DAL, or DIMALI, then Enter or Space. The full name works too, and _DIMALIGNED in any language of AutoCAD.

What is the difference between DIMLINEAR and DIMALIGNED?

On a slanted edge, DIMLINEAR gives its width or its height, as its dimension line is horizontal or vertical; DIMALIGNED gives its length, with the line parallel to the edge. On an edge along X or Y both give the same number.

How do I dimension a slanted line in AutoCAD?

With DIMALIGNED: press Enter at the first prompt, pick the line and place the dimension on the side you want. Or pick its two ends, with the Endpoint object snap so the origins are exact.

How do I write my own text on a dimension?

Choose Text before placing it and type the text: <> stands for the measurement, so <> mm writes it followed by its unit, and Enter with nothing typed keeps the measurement alone. Once placed, the Properties palette's Text override changes it.