The basic principle of dimensioning is to place two points that define the span of an overall dimension.
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Select Dimension > Dimension Pipeline Command
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Select a section of pipe to define the start point.
You can only select discrete points on the pipeline: the ends of pipe or the ends
or middle of components. The points can span only one length of unknown pipe.
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Click again to define the end point.
Several things happen after you define the end point:
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The software displays markers to indicate the span of the dimension.
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The software automatically calculates the length of any inline components and fittings it finds and displays the sum in the Dimension box. In the preceding example, the software displays 76.2mm, which is the known value of the leg of the elbow. The value you ultimately specify for the dimension must be greater than this value.
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The Properties window populates with dimension-specific information about the dimension span, including the start and end points of the dimension, the minimum allowable length for the pipe, and the dimensions of the legs included in the dimension span:
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Type the length for the pipe leg, and press ENTER. For example, you can type 1000mm.
The software applies the dimension and moves the dimension markers to the next logical position in the pipe model.
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Repeat the previous step until the all the pipe route is dimensioned.
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The Shift Mode specified in the Properties window, controls how the markers behave after you define a dimension. The default Shift Mode is Shift. See Dimension markers and Smart Dimensioning.
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You can edit the dimension by right-clicking the Dimension Line and typing in a new value in the Dimension box. Alternatively, right-click the dimensioned pipe, and then select Clear Length.
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Select Show Automatic Dimension Lines
on the Tools toolbar to toggle on and off the display of dimension lines for the selected pipe or component.
Dimension lines are interactive: you can right-click a dimension line, and type a
new length directly into the Dimension box.
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To exit the Dimension Pipeline command, press ESC, or right-click in the Detail window.
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You can select the Switch Active toggle in the Properties window or press the S key on the keyboard to change which marker is active and which is inactive.