1. Purpose
Dimensions a string through the reference points of many selected family instances in one click, instead of tabbing into each point by hand — the string holds only those family references, and the picked start point just sets where the line sits. Use it for setting out diffusers, lights, and sanitary fixtures: fixture-to-fixture centerline strings come out fast and exact.
2. Quick video (≤ 2 minutes)
[Video in production — follow the steps below for now.]
3. Steps
- In the view, select at least 2 family instances (diffusers, lights, basins...). [image 01: family instances selected]
- Click Dim family point in the VP_LAYOUT tab, Layout panel.
- Pick the first point — the dim line passes through it, so the pick sets the string's position — then pick a second point to set the direction: the tool snaps it to the view's nearest horizontal or vertical axis. It then collects the families' reference points along that direction and draws the whole string at once. [image 02: fresh dimension string through equipment centers]
4. Real-world example
A corridor has 20 diffusers placed and needs a setting-out string linking their centers. Select all 20, run the command, pick the string's start point and its direction — a 20-segment string appears instantly, no twenty rounds of Tab-selecting points.
5. Common errors
| Symptom (tool message, Vietnamese) | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Vui lòng chọn ít nhất 2 FamilyInstance để tạo DIM." | Fewer than 2 selected — pick at least 2 family instances, then rerun |
| "Không đủ reference hợp lệ để tạo DIM." | Families expose no references along the dim direction — rotate the view or pick other families |
| "Hai điểm quá gần nhau. Vui lòng chọn lại." | The two picked points land on the same spot — pick two distinct points, then rerun |
| "Không xác định được hướng DIM theo view hiện tại." | Current view yields no horizontal/vertical direction — run in a clear plan or elevation |
6. See also
- Auto dim cache — bulk-dimension walls, columns, and beams from the cache.
- Dim grid on floor — dimension grid lines on a floor plan.
- ADTags-H — straighten tags after dimensioning.