Now that we have a completed drawing of the table, what should we do next?
Well if we were going to build it, we would want to print out a drawing with dimensions to take to the shop.
We might want to dress it up with some wood grain colors and textures to show it to a customer.
In this section we are going to tackle the dimensions. This will also introduce the concept of layers. Some of these instructions I cannot export a picture so just follow the text. First load the table then click on view, then toolbars. Then make sure there is a checkmark on layers. If not check it.
You should see a layer indicator on the toolbar across the top. It should say “layer 0“. This is the layer you are currently drawing in. We are now going to create a new layer called dims 1 for the dimensions. Click window along the top and then click layers when the dropdown menu comes up. This will bring up a dialog box on your screen. If the box is blocking part of the table you can click the blue part at the top and drag it around the screen so it is out of the way. In the top portion of the box click the plus sign. This will bring up a new layer, type in DIMS 1 and hit enter. This creates the new layer. Now click the small circle next to DIMS 1 , you should also have a checkmark under visible for both layers and the dot should have moved to the DIMS 1 box. You will now be drawing in that layer. You should also see that the layer indicator box on the top toolbar should indicate the current layer. You can think of it as placing a cellophane sheet over the drawing that you can remove and put back as you desire. You will now be drawing on that sheet.
Use the dim tool and click on two adjacent corners of the table top then drag the dimension up as shown, Then do the same on the next side and you should have something like the picture
Now go back to the dialog box and click the circle next to layer 0. then click the check mark on the DIMS layer under visible, the check mark should disappear and the dimensions will also disappear. You just pulled the cellophane sheet off the drawing.
Now go back into the dims layer, make it visible and dimension any thing in the drawing that you want. See example.
If the dimensions become too cluttered you can put some of them on a different layer, DIMS 2, DIMS 3, etc. then turn them on and off as you desire. Layers can be used lots of ways, you could put a fruit basket on the table in a separate layer that you could show when you wish.
That’s it for this section as I said before feedback would be appreciated.
GG
