Manual or Automatic Dimensions?

I have always used manual dimension insert. I have tried using automatic dimensioning a few times, but they get placed so sporadically and it will not always capture exactly what is needed.

I would spend more time making the dimensions look, somewhat, presentable and going over all of them to make sure everything was done correctly that I would have if I had just done it manually. Maybe I was doing something wrong, but that is why I use manual.

I don't know anyone who routinely produces great drawings and uses automatic dimensions. I suppose if you're going to produce crap, you might as well automate the crap and get it done with.

Hi,

I use manual, only reason I could see to use automatic is there is a ANSI or ASME regarding a 3D dimensioning, but I have never used it only am aware its out there.

As for designing with tolerances, I try to add the tolerance to the model just as a reminder and now days some places only look at the models and use the drawings are reference, hence the reason for the ANSI/ASME spec I believe.

Regards,

There have been several discussions here on the same topic.  I don't know for sure, but I believe most of the responses have favored inserting them manually in Drawings.  I know that's what I do.  I don't want to worry about the Drawing when I'm modeling a Part, and back many years ago when I tried inserting them automatically it seemed I needed to spend so much time rearranging them to look good that it wasn't saving any time anyway.  Besides, many of my dimensions are between different components in an Assembly anyway, so inserting them manually is the only option.

And no, I don't built tolerances into my models.  I model them to the nominal and add any tolerances directly in the Drawings.

Manual because I know what I want to see in a drawing, automatic gives me inusual dimensions.

Manual usually. Though occasionally I'll use the auto-dims for simple parts. But always re-arrange them, or add more.

Scott Bell wrote:

 

Do you use manual or automatic dimensions and why?

Always use manual dim so I can apply tolerance to the dim