OneSpace Designer: ME10 Dynamic Drafting MI Interfacing
This section describes text blocks and dimension entities.
Composite Annotation entities have references to
subordinate Annotation Element entities. For example,
both text and dimensioning entities may have pointers
to balloons.
The majority of data items in a dimension entity are common to
all dimension entities. Some of the items in the Parameter
Data areas are specific to each entity. The entity descriptions
are therefore presented in two parts:
- The first part describes the data items that are common to
all dimension entities. This part is called "General
Dimension Entity".
- The second part describes the Parameter Data items
that are specific to each entity. This part is called "Specific
Dimension Entities".
When reading this section, note the following:
- Each entity describes one dimension on a drawing.
- A group of chain or datum dimensions will be
represented by several chain or datum dimension
entities.
- When an MI file is loaded to ME10, the position and
orientation of dimension arrow lines, extension lines, and
dimension text is recalculated from the referenced geometry and
the location of the dimension. The value of a dimension text
string is recalculated from the referenced geometry if the
calculated/edited flag in the dimensioning entity is
0
.
- The General Dimension Entity allows
for more data items than many dimensions need.
The appearance of some items depends
on the condition of certain flags and count values.
The appearance of these flags and counts in the
general entity description is indicated by an
asterisk. The parameters controlled by the flags and
counts are in boxes.
- Some of the parameters in the general entity
description apply to text boxes. In these cases the
coordinates of the text box are those of its
geometric center.
- Some flags and parameters for additional text and lines
are currently not used by ME10.
These items are included for
compatibility with other file
formats.
Refer to the pointer trees for the individual dimension entities.
Entity type | For example, DRAD , DSGL , and so on.
|
n+ | Entity Sequence number
|
No attribute data.
n+ | Property Count
|
PTR | First Property Pointer
|
: |
|
PTR | Last Property Pointer
|
| The parameters specific to each dimension entity
appear here. Refer to "Specific Dimension Entities" for a
description of these parameters.
|
2×REAL | X, Y Coordinates of the Imaginary Box for Dimension Text.
|
2×REAL | Dimension Text Box Length Vector.
|
2×REAL | Dimension Text Box Height Vector.
|
| The text box surrounds all the text
associated with the dimension.
|
| The coordinates are those of the center
of the text box. The vectors indicate
the length and direction of box side and
end respectively.
Note that all coordinates in the dimension entity are
relative to the main text box coordinates.
|
2×REAL | Dimension Text Box Delta Vector
|
REAL | Dimension Text Box Delta Angle
|
| If the dimension text is moved or
rotated from the position and
orientation it was created at, then
these parameters will not be equal to 0.
The vector is the displacement from the
original point. The angle is the
rotation measured counterclockwise and in a
range equivalent to:
|
| 0 <= angle < 360°
|
PTR | Pointer to DDA . This entity describes the display information
to the dimension.
|
PTR | Pointer to BAL
|
PTR | Pointer to DTF . This entity describes
the text formatting of dimension text.
|
PTR | Pointer to DTA . This entity describes
the appearance of dimension text.
|
REAL | Main Dimension Value. This is the main
dimension value and it is expressed to a
precision given by the DTF entity. This
value is in current units.
|
STRING | Main Dimension Text. This is the main
text as it appears on the drawing. The
format of the text is specified in the
DTF . This value can be edited by the
user so that it no longer resembles the main value.
|
2×REAL | Relative X,Y Coordinates of the Main
Text Box.
|
| This value has a default of 0 if the
main tolerance text is 3 (Limit).
|
n+ | Edit Text Flag. This indicates whether
or not the dimension text has been
edited by the user:
0 | = false, if text is not edited
| 1 | = true, if text is edited
|
|
*n+ | Main Dimension Tolerance Code. This
parameter gives the code of any
tolerance that has been specified by
the user.
|
| 0 = No tolerance
|
| 1 = Plus or minus tolerance
|
| 2 = Upper and lower tolerance
|
| 3 = Limit tolerance
|
| For examples of tolerance types, refer to Figure 57 at the end of this entity description.
|
If the main
dimension tolerance code is greater
than 0 then the following parameters will appear
in the MI file.
|
PTR | Pointer to DTV . The DTV describes the
main tolerance values and texts in a
similar way to the description of the
main dimension value.
The following are the relative coordinates of the
boxes around the upper and lower tolerance texts
for the main dimension value. The coordinates are
relative to the dimension text box center. The
lower coordinates have a default of zero if the
tolerance type is 1 (plus or minus).
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of the Main
Upper Tolerance Text Box.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of the Main
Lower Tolerance Text Box.
|
*n+ | Secondary Dimension flag.
|
| 0 = false: Single-dimensioning in use
|
| 1 = true: Dual-dimensioning in use
|
| The following
parameters apply to secondary dimension
text. They only appear in the MI file if dual
dimensioning was used in the drawing.
|
PTR | Pointer to DTF
|
PTR | Pointer to DTA
|
REAL | Secondary Dimension Value
|
STRING | Secondary Dimension Text String
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinate of Secondary Text
|
n+ | Secondary Text, Edited by User Flag
|
*n+ | Secondary Tolerance Code. Note that
this code and the following parameters
will only appear if the secondary
dimension flag is true.
|
| If the secondary tolerance code is greater than 0
then the following parameters will appear in the
MI file.
|
PTR | Pointer to DTV
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinate of Secondary
Upper Tolerance Text
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinate of Secondary
Lower Tolerance Text.
|
*n+ | Dimension Arrow Count. The maximum is 2 .
|
| If the dimension arrow count is greater than 0
then the following parameters related to dimension
arrows will be included in the MI file.
|
n+ | Arrow Position Mode Code. This
specifies the position of arrows in
relation to dimension lines. It may
take one of the following values:
0 | = Arrows remain inside the lines or angle
being dimensioned, unless the angle becomes too
small, in which case the arrows move
outside the dimensioned angle.
| 1 | = Inside: arrows remain inside the
dimensioned angle.
| 2 | = Outside: arrows remain outside the
dimensioned angle.
|
|
| This code does not affect the position
of the dimension text and occurs only
once per entity.
|
| The default value is 0 .
The following parameters are repeated for each arrow.
|
n+ | Draw/Nodraw Flag
0 | = False. Arrow is not drawn.
| 1 | = True. Arrow is drawn.
|
|
PTR | Pointer to DAF . The DAF entity
describes the appearance of dimension
arrow heads.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of a
Dimension Arrow. The coordinates of a
dimension arrow are those of the
intersection of the dimension lines
and extension lines.
|
REAL | Arrow Orientation Angle. This is the
angle between the upward vertical and
the arrow axis pointing towards the
extension line. It is measured
counterclockwise and the range of
permissible values is 0° to 360°.
|
PTR | Pointer to DLA .
|
*n+ | Dimension Line Count. In general there
will only be one dimension line unless
the dimension text relative position
code is 2 (on line). Because this causes
the line to be split in two.
|
| If the count is greater than 0 for each dimension
line, then the following parameters will appear in
the MI file. There will be one block of parameters for each
dimension line.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Line Begin Point
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Line End
Point
|
| A dimension line will be drawn between
each pair of points.
|
*n+ | Extension Line Count. The number of
extension lines will depend upon the
dimension type, but in general will not
be greater than 2.
|
| If the count is greater than 0 for each extension
line, the following parameters will appear in the
MI file.
There will be one block of parameters for each
extension line.
|
REAL | Extension Line Angle. This angle is
measured counterclockwise from the
positive X-axis. It is measured in the
angle units specified in the global
section of the MI file (range: 0° to 360° ).
|
| This parameter is ignored if the
entity type is DARC or DANG . This
parameter occurs only once per entity.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Line Begin Point.
This parameter occurs only once per
extension line.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Line End Point.
This parameter occurs only once per
extension line.
A line will be drawn between each pair of points.
|
*n+ | Extra Dimension Line Count. This allows
extra lines associated with
dimensions to be defined.
In Example 4 -- A Dimension (dual dimension/limit
tolerance), this extra dimension line is used as a horizontal
separator between the upper pair of values and the lower pair
of values. Extra dimensions are used when translating data from IGES. In
rare cases, if the purpose of a line associated with a dimension
is not known, the translator treats the line
as an extra dimension line.
|
| If the count is greater than 0 for each extra dimension line,
then the following parameters will appear in the MI file. There
will be one block of parameters for each extra dimension line.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Line Begin Point
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Line End Point
|
*n+ | Dimension Arc Count. Dimension arcs are
used for arc and angle dimensions.
|
| If the Dimension arc count is greater than 0 then
the following parameters will appear in the MI
file.
There will be one block of parameters for each
dimension arc.
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Arc Begin Point
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Arc End Point
|
2×REAL | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Arc Center Point
|
| Each arc drawn is part of a circle
with its center at the point
specified. The arc is drawn in an
counterclockwise direction from the begin
point to the end point.
|
*n+ | Extra Text String Count. This allows additional text to be
associated with the dimension.
|
| If the extra text count is greater than zero then
the following parameters will appear in the MI
file.
There will be one block of parameters for each
extra text string.
|
STRING | Extra Text String
|
2×REAL | Text Position. Relative X, Y
coordinates of the text box.
|
PTR | Pointer to the DTA , for the extra text
string.
|
*n+ | Dimension Prefix String Count
|
| If the dimension is single and if the prefix string-count is equal to 1,
the prefix text appears to the left, and on the same horizontal line as the
dimension text.
If the dimension is dual, the prefix text appears to the left, and mid-way between
both dimensions.
If the prefix string-count is greater than 1, the prefix text is stacked and appears
to the left and mid-way between the dimension text. (See Figure 57.)
|
| If the dimension prefix string count is not equal to 0,
the following parameters appear in the MI file.
|
STRING | First Prefix Text String
|
. |
|
. |
|
STRING | Last Prefix Text String
|
2 x Real | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Prefix Text Box.
|
PTR | Pointer to the DTA
|
*n+ | Dimension Postfix String Count
|
| If the dimension is single and if the postfix string-count is equal
to 1, the postfix text appears to the right, and
on the same horizontal line as the dimension text.
If the dimension is dual, the postfix text appears to the right
and mid-way between both dimensions.
If the postfix string-count is greater than 1, the postfix text is stacked and
appears to the right, and between the dimension text. (See Figure 57.)
|
| If the dimension postfix string-count is not equal to 0, the following parameters appear in the MI file.
|
STRING | First Postfix Text String
|
. |
|
. |
|
STRING | Last Postfix Text String
|
2 x Real | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Postfix Text Box.
|
PTR | Pointer to the DTA
|
*n+ | Dimension Superfix String Count
The superfix text appears above the dimension text.
|
| If the dimension superfix string count is not equal to 0,
the following parameters appear in the MI file.
|
STRING | First Superfix Text String
|
. |
|
. |
|
STRING | Last Superfix Text String
|
2 x Real | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Superfix Text Box.
|
PTR | Pointer to the DTA
|
*n+ | Dimension Subfix String Count
The subfix appears below the dimension text.
|
| If the dimension subfix string-count is not equal to 0,
the following parameters appear in the MI file.
|
STRING | First Subfix Text String
|
. |
|
. |
|
STRING | Last Subfix Text String
|
2 x Real | Relative X, Y Coordinates of Subfix Text Box.
|
PTR | Pointer to the DTA
|
Figure 57. Prefix, Postfix, Subfix, and Superfix
The following parameters are specific to individual
dimension entities. These parameters appear
after the identification data and property
pointers in the General Dimension Entity.
Some dimension entities may reference a polymarker (PMA
)
entity. This happens when a geometry element cannot be
identified because the geometry point is the end of
several elements. In this case the dimension points to
a PMA
entity, and in turn the PMA
entity points to a
geometry point.
This entity represents the dimension angle between any
two lines.
Figure 58. Pointer Tree for DANG
PTR | First Pointer to Geometry Element in the
Geometry Elements section. This has to be
a line entity.
|
PTR | First Pointer to a Geometry Point in the
Geometry Points section.
|
PTR | Second Pointer to a Geometry Element.
|
PTR | Second Pointer to a Geometry Point.
|
n+ | Angle Indication Code. This indicates
whether the dimension is shown on the
geometry elements themselves or their
extension lines through the intersection
point. It is the sum of:
0 | = first element
or
| 1 | = extension line of first element
| plus: |
| 0 | = second element
or
| 2 | = extension line of second element
| | The default value is 0.
|
As an example, the next figure shows two elements that we want
to dimension:
Figure 59. Two Elements for an Angle Dimension
The next figure shows how the value of n affects the way the
angle is drawn:
Figure 60. Ways of Dimensioning the Two Elements
|
This entity is used to dimension the length of an arc.
Figure 61. Dimensioning Arcs
Figure 62. Pointer Tree for DARC
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to the arc or PMA entity in the
Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry
Points section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
|
| If the arc being dimensioned is not
split, the two geometry element pointers
will be to the same MI entity.
|
Figure 63. Pointer Tree for DCHMF
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
The geometry elements are the lines being dimensioned,
and the geometry points are the end points of the line.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
X-axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range from 0° to 360° .
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
This entity is used to represent dimensions chained
together on a common base line as shown in the figure.
Figure 64. Chain Dimensioning
Each chain dimension entity represents one chain
dimension in a chain. An MI file containing a series of
chained dimensions will have a corresponding series of
chain dimension entities. The individual dimensions are grouped
into chains using their relative position code parameters.
Figure 65. Pointer Tree for DCHN
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry Points section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
|
| The geometry elements are the lines
being dimensioned, and the geometry
points are the ends of the lines being
dimensioned. It is possible for two
geometry element pointers to be to the
same MI entity.
|
n+ | Relative Position Code. A group of
related chain dimension entities MUST
appear continuously in the MI file. This
code indicates the position of the
entity within such a group. Its value
must be one of:
0 | = The entity is the first in the group
| 1 | = The entity is intermediate in the group
| 2 | = The entity is last in the group
| 3 | = The entity is first and last in the group
|
These values can be represented by the following table:
Number of DCHN Relative Position Codes
Entities in Group 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1 3
2 0 2
3 0 1 2
4 0 1 1 2
5 0 1 1 1 2
.
.
.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity (referred to by the
previous parameter)
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
X-axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range equivalent to:
|
| 0 <= angle < 360°
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
This entity represents dimensions drawn from a common
datum point. However, in this case the dimension is
drawn without dimension lines.
Figure 66. Datum Point Dimensioning
Figure 67. Pointer Tree for DCOR
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry
Points section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
|
| The geometry elements are the lines
being dimensioned. And the geometry
points are the ends of the lines being
dimensioned. It is possible for two
geometry element pointers to be to the
same MI entity.
|
n+ | Relative Position Code. A group of
related DCOR dimension entities must
appear continuously in the MI file. This
code indicates the position of the
entity within such a group. Its value
must be one of:
0 | = The entity is the first in the group.
| 1 | = The entity is intermediate in the group.
| 2 | = The entity is last in the group.
| 3 | = The entity is first and last in the group.
|
These values can be represented by the following table:
Number of DCOR Relative Position Codes
Entities in Group 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1 3
2 0 2
3 0 1 2
4 0 1 1 2
5 0 1 1 1 2
.
.
.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
x axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range equivalent to:
|
| 0 <= angle < 360°
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
This entity represents dimensions drawn from a common
datum point. All dimensions are drawn from the same
datum point.
Figure 68. Pointer Tree for DDAL
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry
Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry
Points section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
|
| The geometry elements are the lines
being dimensioned. And the geometry
points are the ends of the lines being
dimensioned. It is possible for two
geometry element pointers to be to the
same MI entity.
|
n+ | Relative Position Code. A group of
related DDAL dimension entities must
appear continuously in the MI file. This
code indicates the position of the
entity within such a group. Its value
must be one of:
0 | = The entity is the first in the group.
| 1 | = The entity is intermediate in the group.
| 2 | = The entity is last in the group.
| 3 | = The entity is first and last in the group.
|
These values can be represented by the following table:
Number of DDAL Relative Position Codes
Entities in Group 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1 3
2 0 2
3 0 1 2
4 0 1 1 2
5 0 1 1 1 2
.
.
.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
x axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range equivalent to:
|
| 0 <= angle < 360°
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
This entity represents dimensions drawn from one common
datum. In this case only a single short dimension line
is drawn.
Figure 69. Pointer Tree for DDAS
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry
Points section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
|
| The geometry elements are the lines
being dimensioned, and the geometry
points are the ends of the lines being
dimensioned. It is possible for two
geometry element pointers to be to the
same MI entity.
|
n+ | Relative Position Code. A group of
related DDAS dimension entities MUST
appear continuously in the MI file. This
code indicates the position of the
entity within such a group. Its value
must be one of:
0 | = The entity is the first in the group.
| 1 | = The entity is intermediate in the group.
| 2 | = The entity is last in the group.
| 3 | = The entity is first and last in the group.
|
These values can be represented by the following table:
Number of DDAS Relative Position Codes
Entities in Group 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1 3
2 0 2
3 0 1 2
4 0 1 1 2
5 0 1 1 1 2
.
.
.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
X-axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range equivalent to:
|
| 0 <= angle < 360°
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
This entity describes the diameter dimensions of arcs,
circles and fillets. Some examples of diameter
dimensions are:
Figure 70. Dimensioning Circles
Figure 71. Pointer Tree for DDIA
PTR | Pointer to the Geometry Element Being
dimensioned. This points to an arc,
circle, fillet or PMA entity in the
Geometry Elements section of the MI file.
|
n+ | Diameter Line Flag. This indicates whether
a dimension line will be drawn from the
center of the radius to its perimeter.
|
| 0 = Diameter line is not drawn.
|
| 1 = Diameter line is drawn.
|
| The default value is 0 .
|
This entity represents dimensions drawn from a common
datum point, which is considered to be on a line of symmetry.
All dimensions are drawn from the same datum point. No terminators
or extension lines are drawn at the "symmetry-line end" of the dimension
and the dimension text value is doubled to indicate that the dimensioned
element is reflected over the symmetry line.
Figure 72. Pointer Tree for DDLS
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry
Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry
Points section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
|
| The geometry elements are the lines
being dimensioned. And the geometry
points are the ends of the lines being
dimensioned. It is possible for two
geometry element pointers to be to the
same MI entity.
The first geometry element/point is on the symmetry
line. No terminators or extension lines are drawn at
this end of the dimension.
|
n+ | Relative Position Code. A group of
related DDLS dimension entities must
appear continuously in the MI file. This
code indicates the position of the
entity within such a group. Its value
must be one of:
0 | = The entity is the first in the group.
| 1 | = The entity is intermediate in the group.
| 2 | = The entity is last in the group.
| 3 | = The entity is first and last in the group.
|
These values can be represented by the following table:
Number of DDLS Relative Position Codes
Entities in Group 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1 3
2 0 2
3 0 1 2
4 0 1 1 2
5 0 1 1 1 2
.
.
.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
x axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range equivalent to:
|
| 0 <= angle < 360°
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
DDAL
This entity describes the dimensioning of arcs, circles
and fillets. Examples of radius dimensions are:
Figure 73. Dimensioning Arcs
Figure 74. Pointer Tree for DRAD
PTR | Pointer to the Geometry Element Being
Dimensioned. This points to an arc,
circle, fillet or PMA entity in the
Geometry Elements section of the MI file.
|
n+ | Radius Line Flag. This indicates whether
a dimension line will be drawn from the
center of the radius to its perimeter.
|
| 0 Radius line is not drawn
|
| 1 Radius line is drawn
|
| The default value is 0 .
|
This entity is used to dimension the distance between
two points.
Figure 75. Single Dimensions
Figure 76. Pointer Tree for DSGL
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
The geometry elements are the lines being dimensioned,
and the geometry points are the end points of the line.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
X-axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range from 0° to 360° .
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
This entity is used to dimension the distance between
two points using "symmetry-style" dimensioning.
With a symmetry-style dimension, the first dimension point is
assumed to be on a line of symmetry. No terminator or extension line
is drawn at this point, and the dimension text value is doubled to indicate
that the dimension applies to an element split by the symmetry line.
Figure 77. Symmetry-Style Single Dimension
Figure 78. Pointer Tree for DSGS
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer. This
points to an entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | First Geometry Point Pointer. This
points to a point entity in the Geometry Elements section.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Point Pointer.
The geometry elements are the lines being dimensioned,
and the geometry points are the end points of the line.
The first element/point given is the "symmetry-line end" of the dimension.
No dimension arrow or extension line is drawn at this end of the dimension.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code.
|
PTR | Pointer to Reference Line Entity.
|
REAL | Inclination Angle. The dimension line
relative code indicates the orientation
of the dimension line relative to an
imaginary line through the two geometry
points. The permissible values are:
0 | = Parallel
| 1 | = Horizontal (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 2 | = Vertical (irrespective of imaginary line orientation)
| 3 | = Parallel to reference line entity
| 4 | = Perpendicular to reference line entity
| 5 | = Inclined
|
|
| If the code has value 3 or 4 then the
pointer is to the reference line entity.
If the code has value 5 , the dimension
remains inclined at an angle given by
the inclination angle parameter. This is
measured counterclockwise from the positive
X-axis. This is expressed in current
units and has a range from 0° to 360° .
|
| If the pointer or angle parameter are
not required by the code value, they are ignored.
|
DSGL
The Dimension Tangency section of the MI file is reserved for entities
that describe the tangential dimension between a circular element and
another element.
Figure 79. Dimension Tangency
Figure 80. Pointer Tree for DTAN
DTAN | Entity Type
|
n+ | Entity Sequence Number
|
No Attribute Data
n+ | Property Count.
|
PTR | First Property Pointer.
|
: |
|
PTR | Last Property Pointer.
|
PTR | First Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | First Geometry Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Element Pointer.
|
PTR | Second Geometry Pointer.
|
n+ | Dimension Line Relative Orientation Code. The possible values are:
|
| 0 = Parallel
|
| 1 = Horizontal
|
| 2 = Vertical
|
| 3 = Parallel to reference line
|
| 4 = Perpendicular to reference line entity
|
PTR | Pointer to reference
|
REAL | Inclination angle.
|
REAL | x-value of rel_locl
|
REAL | y-value of rel_locl
|
REAL | x-value of rel_loc2
|
REAL | y-value of rel_loc2
|
|~ | End of Entity
|
TEX
is the only entity in this section.
A text block consists of one or more lines of text.
Some parameters apply to the entire block, while other
parameters such as the Underline Flag apply to
individual lines of text. Parameters that are valid
for a text block will be valid for all strings within
the block.
In the following syntax, all items apply to the entire
text block as far as the String Count, and subsequent
items apply to the individual strings.
Figure 81. Pointer Tree for TEX
n+ | Color
|
n+ | Line Type
|
n+ | Line Width (not used in the current ME10 version)
|
n+ | Display
|
n+ | Property Count
|
PTR | First Property Pointer
|
: |
|
PTR | Last Property Pointer
|
[19 ] | Text Adjust Position. The text is
considered to be enclosed in an
imaginary box, and the Text Adjust
Position is one of the nine positions
within the box as shown in the figure.
Figure 82. The Nine Text Adjust Positions
|
| The Text Adjust Position is used
together with the Text Transformation
Matrix (next item) to determine the location of
the text on the screen.
|
9×REAL | Text Transformation Matrix (3×3).
|
| The matrix operates on an imaginary text
block, located so that the Text Adjust
Position lies at the origin of the
coordinate system. The imaginary text
block is in its default orientation,
horizontal to the X axis and not
rotated, mirrored, stretched, or
otherwise transformed.
|
| The image of the text is then obtained
by applying the Text Transformation
Matrix to the imaginary text block, so
that it is located at the correct
position on the screen.
|
| For details of how the matrix operates,
see Appendix A, Transformation Matrices.
|
n | Text Font Index. A text font is
selected from a pre-defined list that
is assumed to be recognized by a target
system. This item has low priority and
may be superseded by either of the next
two items. For text font values, refer to "Text Fonts" in chapter
2.
The Text Font Index may have a value of
0 , which means it is not defined.
|
PTR | Pointer to User-Defined Text Font
Definition Entity. This item is no longer supported, and should
have a value of 0 .
|
STRING | 1-Byte Text Font Name. If this is specified, it
takes priority over both of the previous two items.
Either the text font index or the text font name must be
specified, otherwise a target system has to apply
its own default text font.
|
STRING | 2-Byte Text Font Name. Same conditions as previous
item apply.
|
PTR | Pointer to BAL . The value
will be zero if there is no balloon surrounding the text
|
n+ | Leader Arrow Count. This feature is not supported by
ME10, so n is 0 .
|
PTR | Pointer to First Leader Arrow
|
: |
|
PTR | Pointer to Last Leader Arrow
|
REAL | Character Width
|
REAL | Character Height
|
| The width and height of characters will
depend on how the text font has been
defined. A text font consists of lines
drawn on a grid that may have different
mesh sizes in the horizontal and
vertical directions. The Character
Height and Character Width values
specified here will correspond to the
distance occupied by a fixed number of
grid points. The number of grid points
involved will depend on the text font
definition itself.
|
REAL | Text Slant. Character slope in current
angle units measured from the vertical
axis. The slope will be clockwise for
positive angle values.
|
REAL | Line Distance Factor. Distance between
text lines, relative to character
height. A value of 1 gives no space between lines.
|
[0,1 ] | Character Fill Flag. This can be used
with text fonts consisting of closed
geometry, so that the area bounded by
the characters can be filled or unfilled.
|
| 0 = unfilled
|
| 1 = filled
|
n+ | String Count. Number of strings in text block.
|
STRING | First String.
|
[0,1 ] | Underline Flag:
|
| 0 = text not underlined
|
| 1 = text underlined
|
: |
In ME10, the underline flag is always 0 .
|
STRING | Last String
|
[0,1] | Underline Flag
|
|~ | End of Entity
|