Splitting Dimension and Extension Lines at Intersecting Entities

Use the SplitDimension command to split dimension and extension lines of Dimension entities where they intersect other entities. You can also join split dimension and extension lines.

You can either create splits in the dimension and extension line automatically at all intersections with other entities, or you can specify the split locations individually by selecting crossing entities one by one.

You can create dimension splits at Lines, Polylines, Arcs, Circles, Ellipses, Splines, Leaders, Notes, SimpleNotes, and other Dimensions. Splits are also created at entities of these types when they are part of Blocks or References. You can select the same entities when you rejoin split dimensions.

The default gap size is stored in DimensionStyles.

To split dimension and extension lines at intersecting entities:

  1. Do one of the following:

    • On the ribbon, click Annotate > Dimensions > Split Dimensions.

    • On the menu, click Dimension > Split Dimensions.

    • Type SplitDimension.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • In the graphics area, select a dimension entity.

    • Specify the Multiple option, then select dimension entities in the graphics area, and press Enter to complete the selection.

  3. Optionally, specify any of the following options:

    Option

    Description

    Default gap

    Splits dimensions using the default gap.

    Specify gap

    Lets you apply a split gap in individual cases by specifying a starting point and an endpoint.

    This option is not available when you split multiple dimension and extension lines.

    Join

    Joins split dimension and extension lines.

    Exit

    Exits options setting.

  4. Press Enter to automatically split dimension and extension lines at all locations where they cross other entities.

    - or -

    Specify crossing entities one by one to determine individually split locations. Press Enter to conclude the command.

To join split dimension and extension lines:

  1. Do one of the following:

    • On the ribbon, click Annotate > Dimensions > Split Dimensions.

    • On the menu, click Dimension > Split Dimensions.

    • Type SplitDimension.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • In the graphics area, select a dimension entity.

    • Specify the Multiple option, then select dimension entities in the graphics area, and press Enter to complete the selection.

  3. Specify the Join option.

  4. Press Enter to automatically join dimension and extension lines at all locations where they were split at intersecting entities.

    - or -

    Specify crossing entities one by one to rejoin dimension and extention lines at specific split locations. Press Enter to conclude the command.

To set the default gap for dimension splits:

  1. Do one of the following:

    • On the ribbon, click Annotate > Dimensions > Dimension Style.

    • On the menu, click Format > Dimension Style.

    • Type DimensionStyle.

    In the Options dialog box, the Drafting Styles page opens and Dimension expands.

  2. Expand Line > Dimension split.

  3. In Split gap, set the width of the default gap when you use the SplitDimension command to split dimension and extension lines which cross other entities.

    The specified value is stored in the active DimensionStyle.

Access

Command: SplitDimension

Ribbon: Annotate > Dimensions > Split Dimensions

Menu: Dimension > Split Dimensions

Parent Topic

Modifying Existing Dimensions