Chain Dimensioning
This section describes how to dimension groups of linear geometry features.
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting draws the chain dimensions parallel to the first dimension and chained to the same axis. Locate your first chain dimension so that subsequent chain dimensions do not overwrite the drawing or dimensions. You can correct mistakes by repeatedly clicking 
Undo, which removes preceding dimensions. You can then click the correct points.
Undo, which removes preceding dimensions. You can then click the correct points.Creo Elements/Direct Drafting allows you to define the orientation of chain dimensions relative to geometry features using the buttons of the Orient gallery.
All buttons enable you to apply dimensioning to a single linear drawing element or to a group of elements depending on your selection. You can:
• Click any two dimension points. The line between the two points is dimensioned.
• Click a single linear drawing element. The starting point of the selected element becomes the first dimension point. Select a second dimension point on this or any other linear drawing element to complete the dimension.
• Select multiple linear drawing elements with 
Select or by enclosing them in a box. The end points of each selected element become dimension points, and each element is dimensioned.
Select or by enclosing them in a box. The end points of each selected element become dimension points, and each element is dimensioned.If you clicked the Automatic check box (automatic dimension displacement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, Creo Elements/Direct Drafting positions the new dimensions automatically. Automatic placement only applies when you have selected multiple elements for dimensioning.
If you cleared the Automatic check box (automatic dimension displacement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, position the dimensions on your drawing manually. A dimension trace appears when you select elements. Move the trace around your drawing until the dimension text is in the desired location. Click the desired text location and Creo Elements/Direct Drafting draws the dimension or dimensions. When multiple elements are selected, the trace shows the proposed dimensions for all of them at the same time.
The below figure shows examples of chain dimensioning using each option.
Chain Dimensioning
To draw chained dimensions:
1. Click Drafting and then, in the Annotate group, click the arrow next to 
Linear.
Linear.2. Click 
Chain and then, click the required Orient button in the gallery and perform the associated procedure.
Chain and then, click the required Orient button in the gallery and perform the associated procedure.Orient Button | Purpose | Procedure |
|---|---|---|
 Parallel | Draw chain dimensions along an inclined plane. | a. Click the first two dimension points. These define the angle for this and subsequent chain dimensions. b. If your initial selection contains multiple drawing elements, you are prompted to identify one of them to provide the reference angle for the chain. c. If you have cleared the Automatic check box (automatic dimension placement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, click the desired location for the dimension text or texts, using the dimension trace for guidance. d. To continue the chain along the inclined plane, select additional linear elements. e. Click  OK. |
 Horizontal | Draw chain dimensions in the horizontal plane. | a. Click the dimension points or elements to be dimensioned. If your selection contains multiple drawing elements, they become the first members in the chain. b. If you have cleared the Automatic check box (automatic dimension placement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, click the desired location for the dimension text or texts, using the dimension trace for guidance. c. To continue the chain, select additional linear elements. d. Click OK. |
 Vertical | Draw chain dimensions in the vertical plane. | a. Click the dimension points or elements to be dimensioned. If your selection contains multiple drawing elements, they become the first members in the chain. b. If you have cleared the Automatic check box (automatic dimension placement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, click the desired location for the dimension text or texts, using the dimension trace for guidance. c. To continue the chain, select additional linear elements. d. Click OK. |
 Perpendicular to Line | Draw a dimension chain perpendicular to a given line. | a. Click a reference line. You can use any line on the drawing as the reference line. b. Click the dimension points or elements to be dimensioned. If your selection contains multiple drawing elements, they become the first members in the chain. c. If you have cleared the Automatic check box (automatic dimension placement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, click the desired location for the dimension text or texts, using the dimension trace for guidance. d. To continue the chain, select additional linear elements. e. Click OK. |
 Parallel to Line | Draw a dimension chain parallel to a reference line. | a. Select a reference line. You can identify any line on the drawing as the reference line. b. Click the dimension points or elements to be dimensioned. If your selection contains multiple drawing elements, they become the first members in the chain. c. If you have cleared the Automatic check box (automatic dimension placement) in the Options settings of the Dimension Settings dialog box, click the desired location for the dimension text or texts, using the dimension trace for guidance. d. To continue the chain, select additional linear elements. e. Click OK. |