Problem with draft dimension tool and captions

[borish]

I've used the draft dimension tool as explained in the manual https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Draft_Dimension. I have the following problems:

• The captions (eg "540 mm") aren't visible in the 3D view unless I set Display M... to 3D. As this isn't mentioned in the manual, I don't know if this is the expected behavior.
• The captions aren't well aligned with the dimension lines. In particular, it doesn't look as in this image from a tutorial
  Instead, this is how it looks:
  
• I was unable to create dimensions for the milled handle using the dimension tool. Therefore, I enclosed the handle with a box, converted it to points and used the "measure distance" tool.However, the captions aren't well aligned with the lines either.

OS: Linux
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.17.13522 (Git) AppImage
Build type: None
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-17
Hash: 3bb5ff4e70c0c526f2d9dd69b1004155b2f527f2
Python version: 2.7.6
Qt version: 4.8.6
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 7.2.0
Locale: German/Germany (de_DE)

[NormandC]

The default font size for Draft Dimensions is 5mm. Considering the size of your box (540 x 502 x 175mm) it's normal that they don't show, they're too small.

You need to change their Font Size property in the Data tab. Or, you can go to Draft Preferences, Texts and dimensions tab, and change the default font size - this will be applied to all new Dimensions you create, but you will need to restart FreeCAD for the change to take effect.

The captions aren't well aligned with the dimension lines.

That's because you set the Display Mode to 3D.

[borish]

Thanks. The caption alignment problem is solved after I set the font size to 30 mm.
I still have problems adding dimensions for the box handle. I've enclosed the handle with a box and converted it to points. For the handle height, I set the working plane to YZ and used the dimension tool to create a vertical line between two points. However, the dimension is placed on the XZ plane and not on the YZ plane, as I expected. For the width of the handle, I selected the XY plane and had equally unsatisfying results.

[NormandC]

I've enclosed the handle with a box and converted it to points.

I don't understand what you mean by "converting it to points".

For the handle height, I set the working plane to YZ and used the dimension tool to create a vertical line between two points. However, the dimension is placed on the XZ plane and not on the YZ plane, as I expected.

Sorry, I don't know what's happening.

What do you intend to do once you have all your dimensions? Are you going to print this on paper?

[borish]

I set "Display Mode" to "Points" for the box. I've created the box so the dimension tool has some lines to snap to. I don't know how to measure width and height without that enclosing box.
What I want is what is shown in the image below, but for both width and height and I want to use the dimension tool and not the measure distance tool for a uniform look.
Yes, I want to print this to paper to have it built.

[NormandC]

Then I suggest leaving the Draft Dimensions aside and using the TechDraw Workbench instead. You don't need to create dimensions in the 3D view: you create them directly on the orthogonal views on the page. In my opinion, it is easier and faster that way.

See below for a quick example I made.

[borish]

Thanks for your help, but I don't know how to use the tech draw wb and I haven't found any tutorials. Therefore, I'm still trying to solve the problem with the dimension tool. Also, I'm looking for documentation on how to use the rectangular, angular, edge etc. buttons. I'm not sure they work for me.

[NormandC]

Thanks for your help, but I don't know how to use the tech draw wb and I haven't found any tutorials. Therefore, I'm still trying to solve the problem with the dimension tool.

As you wish, but TechDraw is pretty easy to pick up. It will take you less time to learn it than trying to get Draft Dimensions to work as you want - and you may not succeed.

[Willem]

Hi, the Techdraw workbench is very similar (not identical) to the former Drawing workbench and good tutorials about the old Drawing workbench are made by Roland Frank.
Here the tutorials: FreeCAD Tutorial 19 - Zeichnungsansichten erstellen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMOCBA7ptEo
FreeCAD Tutorial 20 - Zeichnungen bemassen FreeCAD Tutorial 20 - Zeichnungen bemassen

[chrisb]

Thanks for your help, but I don't know how to use the tech draw wb and I haven't found any tutorials.

You have seen the documentation linked by Normand?

Then I suggest leaving the Draft Dimensions aside and using the TechDraw Workbench instead.