AutoCAD – Make busy drawings easier to read with the Break Dimension Command

By Dennis Collin

AutoCAD drawings can get very detailed in certain disciplines, especially when working with complex mechanical drawings, or construction drawings showing plant rooms within buildings. As a result, dimensions and leader notes may clash and it can be difficult for the recipient to see what note relates to which detail.

Fortunately, AutoCAD has an extensive array of annotation tools. One of these, Dimension break creates a ‘halo’ gap on intersecting annotation lines which can make these busy areas a little easier to understand. Dimension break is located on the Annotate tab and permits the user to select either dimension or multileader objects and create or remove a gap, without having to resort to drastic measures like explode!

Using the Automatic mode within the break command creates gaps where annotation lines overlap, making the drawing easier to read. To remove the gaps, repeat the command and choose the remove option.