Dimension Value Formats 

Format Definitions

This section deals with dimension value descriptions, which are user-defined formats to be applied to dimension values.

To create a new dimension value display format, you must use the Standard Definition editor (via Tools > Standards). Select the Value Formats type in the standards editor, and then click the Add Instance button to add a new instance of a format. This will create a sample format definition that you will then customize to suit your needs, by modifying one or several values of the parameters defining the format.

Once defined, a format can be applied to dimensions just as any dimension attribute, either via Edit > Properties, or using the Numerical Properties toolbar. 

Dimension Value Display Formats

These parameters are located in the Value Formats node of the standard file.

The dimension value display style parameters drive the representation of a dimension value, and include parameters such as:

  • multiplying factor

  • separators for thousands

  • position relatively to dimension line

  • display of fractional values

  • trailing zeros display

  • and so forth.

 

Once a given description is embedded in a given drawing, it can not be modified or removed. Even a standard upgrade using a modified version of the xml standard can modify the existing description. To bypass this limitation, you have to create a new description with another name.

 

Parameter

Parameter Name

Value

Description

Value Format Name

NDName

(8 char string)

User-defined name that will be used as the description identifier

Value Magnitude (type)

NDType

[ 1 / 2 ]

1 = length (for length/distance/radius/diameter dimensions)
2 = Angle (angle dimensions)

 

Value Units

NDUnit

[ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 ]

1 = mm
2 = inch

3 = radian

4 = degree

5 = grade

Unit used to display the dimension  value

Global Multiplying Factor

NDGlobFact

(real)

The dimension measured value is multiplied by this factor prior to being displayed.

For example, to display a distance in kilometers with units set to mm (NDUnit=1), use:

NDGlobFact = 0.000001

 

Separator Characters for Decimal and Thousands

Display of separator for Thousands

NDExise

 

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = No display of separator

2 = Display of separator

 

 Decimal Separator

NDSepNum

Thousands Separator

NDSep1000

[0...18 ]

separator number as described in the Separator Character Table

Display of Trailing Zeros

NDFinZer

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = No display of trailing zeros

2 = Display of trailing zeros (number of digits specified in the value precision)

 

Note that these integer values are directly linked to those defined in NDNulOther. Please take it into account when defining your standard

Fractional Rest Justification

NDAlignFrac

Not yet implemented

Fractional Rest Display Mode

NDTypFrac

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = Side by side

2 = Super-imposed

 

Fractional Rest Height Ratio

NDResScl

(real)

 = Unit height / value height

 ( = B / A )

Fractional Rest Positioning Offsets
(the horizontal offset also applies to decimal rests)

NDRestX

(real)

This value is a ratio to the character height

 

NDRestY

Offset between Fractional Rest Numerator and Denominator

NDOperY

(real)

This value is a ratio to the character height

Position of Last Term Unit

NDSepDen

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = Before fractional rest

2 = After fractional rest

Number of Terms in the Value

NDFact

[ 1...3 ]

This parameter is related to the Display option (via the contextual menu, selecting Edit > Properties, Value tab, Format section).

Refer to Editing Dimension Tolerance Properties.


Definition of each of the value terms

A value can be made of up to three terms plus a rest. All of the following parameters, suffixed by the term number, apply to each of the possible 3 terms.
The numbering  of the terms goes from right to left, #1 being the right-most term.

 

Parameter

Parameter Name

Value

Description

Display of Null Terms

NDNulFac_1

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = No display of zeros

2 = Display of zeros

Display of Leading Zeros in Last Factor

NDNulFac_2

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = No display of zeros

2 = Display of zeros

DEPRECATED

NDNulFac_3

-

-

Display of Null Terms

NDNulOther

[ 1  /  2 ]

1 = No display of zeros

2 = Display of zeros

 

Note that these integer values are directly linked
to those defined in NDFinZer. Please take it into account when defining your standard

Term Multiplying Factor

NDFact_1
NDFact_2
NDFact_3

( real )

The term measured value is multiplied by this factor prior to being displayed (the global multiplying factor is also used). All 3 values must have increasing and distinct values.

Example: to display a value with a term in centimeters and a term in millimeters, with NDUnit=mm and NDGlobFact=1, set

NDFact_1 = 1 
NDFact_2 = 10

Term Unit Suffix

NDSepar_1
NDSepar_2
NDSepar_3

(16 char string)

Term Unit Height Ratio

NDSepScl_1
NDSepScl_2
NDSepScl_3

(real)

 = Unit height / value height

 ( = B / A )

Term Vertical Positioning Offset
(relatively to the left-most term)

NDValPos_1
NDValPos_2
NDValPos_3

(mm)

Term Unit Vertical Positioning Offset
(relatively to its term)

NDSepPos_1
NDSepPos_2
NDSepPos_3

(mm)