Probems with dimensions in ProStructures V8i

[ColinHolloway]

Hi All,

We are running ProStructures V8i in AutoCAD 2011 and are having some unacceptable behaviours from associated dimensions.

If we dimension in Model Space and change the length of a member (either by Stretch or Grip Edit) after it is dimensioned, the dimension line jumps to 0 length and overlays the part. I have tried to change the registry settings DisableDimAssoc and RemoveDimAssoc as well as changing the AutoCAD variable DIMASSOC, all without finding a solution.

This also occurs if you dimension in Paper Space.

This problem is occurring on multiple machines and multiple users.

I appreciate any input you may have on this issue as it creates issues for us every day.

Regards,
Colin Holloway
CAD Support Officer

Sedgman Limited
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Milton QLD 4064
AUSTRALIA
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[awerning]

Are you setting dimassoc to 0 or 1?

[ColinHolloway]

We always use (and need to use) DIMASSOC = 2

[awerning]

Then that is why it is happening. DIMASSOC=2 cause the dimension to be "intelligent" and will force it to attempt to auto-adjust based on the snap point of the entity you selected. BUT, it is NOT perfect by any means. Especially when snapping to points on 3rd party entities such as the steel objects put in by prostructure. It is not necessarily a problem that Autodesk can fix as there are many different ways to program custom entities with ObjectARX as well as the object enablers involved. Prostructure was written originally by a German company (Kiwi Software) and Bentley bought their product in order to "clean it up" to work better with their other AP modules, but I would assume their Open Plant effort renders their need to maintain prostructure useless. I have heard them admit that the way Kiwi soft programmed their 3rd party entities was less than desirable and that is why thy also have problems with flattening the steel entities from that software more than any of their other modules. You can keep trying to find a solution if you wish, but I am 99% certain that if you set DIMASSOC=1 and use the old way of setting a different DIMLFAC per scaled viewport you wouldn't have the problem. Sometimes the old way is the only way. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the new features of DIMASSOC=2, but there are MANY cases where I have found it to be buggy and I have no other option than to work that particular drawing the old way.

Hope this helps...