Expert: Bob - 6/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: After drawing a floorplan in model space, I cannot see my dimension lines when I go to plot from paper space.  I have checked my dimension layer and everything is on, not frozen, not locked, color is blue #5, continuous linetype, default line weight, plot on, New VP UNfrozen. I don't know what else to check.  Can you make some suggestions? Thank you so much for your help!

ANSWER: Hi

Your experience level and the release of AutoCAD you are using would help me.  I dont know whether you are sophisticated or a student.  You also left out whether you have made other drawings exactly the same way, with different results.

For instance, if you are new, you might call the entire dimension "dimension lines", whereas those are only a part of the dimensions

Of course, I presume you made a test plot and the dimensions were not there. You may not realize that certain video cards and AutoCAD give odd results.

2 things I can think of late at night:
a--- maybe you have "display plot styles" checked, and a custom plot style somehow does not show the dimensions, or the dimension lines.
b--- maybe the dimensions are on a layer set not to plot, and the vp is set to display plot styles

IF it is just the dimension lines within the dimensions, I suspect something in your dimension style. Did you look closely at the settings for the dimension lines in the style? Did you try changing a dimension to another style and see if it shows up?

Sorry if these don't help.  Unfortunately, I can't accept drawings in order to check them, but if you are stuck, I will send you to someplace where someone will download your drawing and find the error.

Let me know.

BOB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bob, I am using AutoCAD 2009.  Although I've been in interior design many yrs, I am not a sophisticated user. After finishing my 6 mos. CAD course and working 6 mos. in interior design using "Furnish" (not quite the level of "20-20"), I am getting back to using AutoCAD (tg) in my own business.

I have made other drawings the same way, with different results. After drawing in model space, I CAN see the dimension lines in ppr space, no prob.

I am only referring to "dimension lines" that measure in ft and inches, the length, etc. of a wall, furniture, doorway, wdw, etc.  I do realize that there are many other parts of the "dimensions" of a drwg.

I have plotted a bunch of times and still cannot "see" my dimension lines in ppr space in current drwg. In the past I've used this same computer - no new video cards.

I don't know, for sure, where "display plot styles" is located. But when I go into "Plot", under Plot options, I have checked:
"Plot with Plot Styles" and also "Plot Paper Space last"

I think ALL my layers are set to plot. but where do I find out if vp is set to display plot styles?

I don't know if I am checking the right thing to see dimension lines in the style. Exactly what do you mean "settings for the dimension lines in the style" and changing a dimension to another style"?

Sorry to be so obtuse - I tried to answer each of your points and hope you're still with me.

Thanks again for all your time and help.

Penny  

Answer
Penny, sorry I am tied up until Mon or Tues.

To be clear-- dimension lines are the lines parallel to the object, WITHIN a dimension. They meet the extension lines, which are the lines perpendicular to the object --- these are components of a dimension. Dimension lines do not have a measure or numbers, so you lost me.

Were I you -- I would take an old drawing, save it with a new name, and copy the objects from this drawing into in, then try a test layout.

And, still not clear whether everything plots or not, from your reply. I would TOTALLY ignore the problem if its one drawing where you cant see something, but everything plots.

Must rush, good luck, sorry.

BOB