Review changed dimensions and annotations

The contents of the Dimension Tracker dialog box are updated only when dimensions, annotations, or model-derived table entries have actually changed. Also, the list is not automatically cleared if you update a drawing view that has not been changed.

Activate/deactivate the Dimension Tracker
  1. Choose Tools tab→Assistants group→Track Dimension Changes .

  2. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click the Options tab.

  3. On the Options page, set the Track Changed Dimensions check box.

Tip:

To work with the Dimension Tracker turned off, clear the Track Changed Dimensions check box.

Set default change balloon shape and color

You can set a default change balloon shape and color. The selected shape and color are applied when the next changed item is flagged on the drawing. The settings do not affect existing change balloons.

  1. Choose Tools tab→Assistants group→Track Dimension Changes .

  2. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click the Options tab.

  3. On the Options page, set the Balloon Shape and Balloon Color options as desired.

Add change balloons to the drawing

When this option is set and the drawing view is updated, balloons that flag changed dimensions and annotations are added automatically.

  1. Choose Tools tab→Assistants group→Track Dimension Changes .

  2. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click the Options tab.

  3. On the Options page, set the Label Changed Dimensions check box.

Find a changed item on the drawing

The changed dimension or annotation is zoomed and highlighted on the drawing.

  1. Select Tools tab→Assistants group→Track Dimension Changes .

  2. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click the Report tab.

  3. On the Report page, from the Dimension Tracker list, select the item(s) that you want to locate on the drawing.

  4. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click Find.

  5. On the drawing, look for the highlighted dimension or annotation. If you selected multiple items from the Dimension Tracker list, the Find button zooms and centers the drawing so that all the items are visible.

Tip:

  • You also can identify a changed dimension or annotation on the drawing just by clicking an item number on the Dimension Tracker list. This highlights the dimension or annotation on the drawing, but it does not zoom in on it.

Review items by group

Sorting the changed items by group is a fast way to review and clear similar items.

  1. Sort the list--In the Dimension Tracker, on the Report page, click a column heading. For example, to sort by the reason for the change, click Reason. To sort by the type of item changed, click Element.

  2. Select similar items--From the Dimension Tracker list, select all of the changed items in the same category by pressing the Ctrl or the Shift key while you click.

  3. Review the items--Now that you have grouped and selected the items, you can either assign a revision name to the corresponding drawing balloons (see Assign a Revision Name to Balloons) or you can clear the items from the list (see Clear the Change List).

Assign a revision name to balloons
  1. From the Dimension Tracker list, select the changed item(s) to which you want to assign a revision.

  2. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click New Revision.

  3. In the New Revision dialog box, type any alphanumeric revision identifier in the Label box.

  4. In the New Revision dialog box, click OK to update the corresponding balloons on the drawing and clear the selected item(s) from the change list.

Clear the change list

When you clear the Dimension Tracker change list, the corresponding balloons are also removed from the drawing.

Copy change information from the Dimension Tracker

Copies all the change items from the Dimension Tracker list.

  1. In the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click the Report tab.

  2. On the Report page, in the Dimension Tracker dialog box, click Copy.

  3. Open a document, such as a spreadsheet or email, where you want to paste the information, and then right-click and choose Paste on the shortcut menu.

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