Adding a 3D Dimension

The 3D Dimension object is a very useful tool that allows you to display distances on your landscape design. 3D dimensions can be used as temporary measuring tape, or used to permanently display important dimensions. For example, the 3D Dimension tool could be used to mark off an area for a new deck that you plan to build, or it could be used to quickly determine the distance between two trees. 3D dimensions will appear in the Plan and Perspective views, but will not appear during Realtime Walkthroughs.

If you wish to add flat dimensions that appear only in the Plan view, use the Linear Dimension object instead.

To add a 3D Dimension:

1.   Click the Add 3D Dimension button, which is found near the top of the screen under the Building tab.

2.   Draw the dimension by clicking the left mouse button to add points. Press the Backspace key to remove the last point added, and press the Esc key to cancel. If you would like to input the distance and angle manually, place at least one point and then press the Enter key.

3.   To finish drawing the 3D Dimension, right-click to place the last point.

In the picture of the landscape design below, two 3D Dimension objects are used to show the distances from the house to the edge of the deck, and from one side of the deck stairs to the other.

3D dimensions do not appear when dimensions are disabled. To toggle the visibility of dimensions, click Edit and Dimensions, or press Ctrl + D on your keyboard.

Tips:

•      To add dimensions quickly around the entire border of an existing object, save the shape of the object you wish to border, and then load that shape as a 3D Dimension. For details, see Saving and Loading Shapes.

•      3D Dimensions can be added in either view, but it is easier to add them to the Plan view than the Perspective view.

•      The 3D Dimension tool is similar to the Lot Boundary tool, but 3D Dimensions always display distances while Lot Boundaries only display distances when they are selected and Edit Points is enabled.

See also:

3D Dimension Properties
Setting Object Properties
Selecting Objects
Selecting Points
Editing Objects
Adding a Lot Boundary
Saving and Loading Shapes