Dimensioning an AutoCAD Floor Plan

• To add dimensions to a floor plan, begin by creating a separate layer for them. Create a layer named "dimensions" before you begin plotting them.
  Next, click on "dimension" from the drop-down menu. Select "linear."
  
  Using your floor plan, decide where you want the first dimension string to begin and end. If you want the dimension to begin at the corner of the outside wall, click on it. The program then waits for you to choose the ending point.
  
  Once you have clicked on the point on the drawing where you want the dimensioning to end, you can drag and click it away from the object as far out as you like. Should you know the exact distance away from the object where you want to place the dimension string, you can enter it instead of guessing.
  
  When you use the dimension feature in AutoCAD, the program automatically records the length of the dimension for you within the center of the dimension string.
  
  

Making Modifications

• Should you want to modify this text, such as make it smaller or change the arrows on the end of the dimension to architectural ticks instead, you can use the "dimension" drop-down menu. Choose "style," then "standard," and click "modify." Here you may change the arrowheads into architectural ticks, if it suits your purpose.
  
  Within this text box, click on the "primary units" tab. Change the text height to the desired measurement (8 inches, for example). You can modify the text's font here by clicking the button with the three little dots on it. Change the font to your desired size, then click "apply" to view the changes. At this point, check your text size to see if it is as you like it.
  
  Clicking once on a dimension string will allow its grips to appear. The center grip allows you to move the location of the measurement on the line. The top and bottom grips allow you to move the location of the line.
  
  

Creating Layers of Dimensions

• Should you need to create a nested layer of dimensions. remember that exterior walls should be dimensioned from corner to corner, and also from the corner to the center point of the window if there is one on the wall. You should create a dimension from the window center, reflecting the length of the center of the window to the beginning of the next interior wall. This allows you to note measurements for the length of each interior wall, minus the windows.
  
  To create a nested string of dimensions, click on the beginning and ending points just as you did before. Next, choose "dimension" from the drop-down menu, and choose "continue." This will allow you to continue marking measurements on the same line. The line automatically continues from the last point that was dimensioned. Simply click wherever you want the next tick to appear. To exit this command or any other, click the escape button.