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OneSpace Designer: ME10 Dynamic Drafting MI Interfacing


Composite Annotation Section (#~72)

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.

Dimension Entities

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:

General Dimension Entity

When reading this section, note the following:

Pointer Tree

Refer to the pointer trees for the individual dimension entities.

Identification Data

Entity type For example, DRAD, DSGL, and so on.
n+ Entity Sequence number

Attribute Data

No attribute data.

Property Data

n+ Property Count
PTR First Property Pointer
: 
PTR Last Property Pointer

Parameter Data

  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: 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

|~ End of Entity


Figure 57. Prefix, Postfix, Subfix, and Superfix

Specific Dimension Entities

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.

DANG (Dimension Angle Entity)

This entity represents the dimension angle between any two lines.

Pointer Tree


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

DARC (Dimension Arc Entity)

This entity is used to dimension the length of an arc.


Figure 61. Dimensioning Arcs

Pointer Tree


Figure 62. Pointer Tree for DARC

Parameter Data

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.

DCHMF (Chamfer Dimension Entity)

Pointer Tree


Figure 63. Pointer Tree for DCHMF

Parameter Data

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 to 360°.

  If the pointer or angle parameter are not required by the code value, they are ignored.

DCHN (Chain Dimension Entity)

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.

Pointer Tree


Figure 65. Pointer Tree for DCHN

Parameter Data

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.

DCOR (Datum Coordinate Entity)

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

Pointer Tree


Figure 67. Pointer Tree for DCOR

Parameter Data

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.

DDAL (Long Datum Dimension Entity)

This entity represents dimensions drawn from a common datum point. All dimensions are drawn from the same datum point.

Pointer Tree


Figure 68. Pointer Tree for DDAL

Parameter Data

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.

DDAS (Short Datum Dimension Entity)

This entity represents dimensions drawn from one common datum. In this case only a single short dimension line is drawn.

Pointer Tree


Figure 69. Pointer Tree for DDAS

Parameter Data

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.

DDIA (Dimension Diameter Entity)

This entity describes the diameter dimensions of arcs, circles and fillets. Some examples of diameter dimensions are:


Figure 70. Dimensioning Circles

Pointer Tree


Figure 71. Pointer Tree for DDIA

Parameter Data

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.

DDLS (Long Datum Dimension (Symmetric) Entity)

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.

Pointer Tree


Figure 72. Pointer Tree for DDLS

Parameter Data

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.

See Also

DDAL

DRAD (Dimension Radius Entity)

This entity describes the dimensioning of arcs, circles and fillets. Examples of radius dimensions are:


Figure 73. Dimensioning Arcs

Pointer Tree


Figure 74. Pointer Tree for DRAD

Parameter Data

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.

DSGL (Single Dimension Entity)

This entity is used to dimension the distance between two points.


Figure 75. Single Dimensions

Pointer Tree


Figure 76. Pointer Tree for DSGL

Parameter Data

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 to 360°.

  If the pointer or angle parameter are not required by the code value, they are ignored.

DSGS (Single Dimension (Symmetric) Entity)

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

Pointer Tree


Figure 78. Pointer Tree for DSGS

Parameter Data

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 to 360°.

  If the pointer or angle parameter are not required by the code value, they are ignored.

See Also

DSGL

DTAN (Dimension Tangency)

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

Pointer Tree


Figure 80. Pointer Tree for DTAN

Identification Data

DTAN Entity Type
n+ Entity Sequence Number

Attribute Data

No Attribute Data

Property Data

n+ Property Count.
PTR First Property Pointer.
:  
PTRLast Property Pointer.

Parameter Data

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

Text Entities

TEX is the only entity in this section.

TEX (Text Block)

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.

Pointer Tree


Figure 81. Pointer Tree for TEX

Attribute Data

n+ Color
n+ Line Type
n+ Line Width (not used in the current ME10 version)
n+ Display

Property Data

n+ Property Count
PTR First Property Pointer
: 

PTR Last Property Pointer

Parameter Data

[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


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