Product(s):	MicroStation
	Version(s):	08.11.09.459
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	Dimensions
	Subarea:	General

How to identify dimensions that are no longer associated to elements and how to reassociate them with their elements.

Background

If a dimension has been placed without association being applied or is association has been lost, when an element is moved or modified the dimension will not change to reflect the new measurement.

The first problem is identifying the dimensions that are no longer associated

Steps to Accomplish

Option 1 Changing the dimensions appearance using Preference switch

1. Open the preferences dialog ( Workspace > Preference )

2. Select 'Operation' under the heading of Category

3. Turn on the option 'Display Broken Associations with Different Symbology'

( The dimensions with broken association will be displayed dotted in the view )

Option 2 Use the Dimension Audit tool

• Open the Dimension Audit dialog ( Utilities > Dimension Audit )

• Select the 'Find Non-Associative Dimensions'

• Select the 'Dimension Audit Find' ( See the number of reported problems )

• Select the 'Zoom to next item' to locate the dimension with the problem

( The dimension will appear in the view with a dotted highlight surrounding it )

Reassociating the dimension(s)

Having located the dimensions that have lost association these can be reassociated by

Option 1 Use the Reassociate Dimension tool

1. Select the Reassociate Dimension tool and select the dimension to reassociate.

2. Alternatively : Place a fence around the design and then select the Reassociate Dimension tool and check the 'Use Fence' option in the tool settings to change multiple dimensions.

 

Option 2 Use the Modify tool

In some instances the Reassociate Dimension tool will not work so as an alternative the Modify tool can be used to modify the dimensions extension line to the point on the element. To do this :

• Select the Dimension Element tool and expand the tool settings  ( click filled arrow ) and ensure the 'Association' is checked.

• Select the Modify tool

• Select the end of the dimensions extension line and then the point on the element to associate.

Printing Dimensions with lost Association

Whilst the User Preference switch 'Display Broken Associations with Different Symbology' mentioned above can be used to override the dimensions symbology for unassociated dimension in the view, it is also possible to override when plotting. To do this :

From the Print Dialog and choose Settings > Print Attributes and turn off the option 'Print broken associations with different symbology'

 

Dropping Dimensions with lost Association

It is also possible to remove a dimensions association using the Drop Association tool or 'drop association' keyin and selecting the dimension. Thus because the dimension is no longer associated its symbololgy will not be affected by broken association. 

Other language sources

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Original Author:

Carl Myhill