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I just submitted a case with PTC that we wanted to know how to disable a feature we found in Creo Elements/Pro 5.0. If you create a dimension in a drawing and go to the properties of that dimensionthere is a radio button that says Override Value with a box next to it. I found that if you select this option that you are able to input any value you want for this dimension. PTC basically doesn't have an issue with this and that if I want an option to disable this then I need to submit an enhancement request. My question to all of you is do you find this acceptable? I know we should be using model created dimensions, but sometimes our user will create dimensions within the drawing. I asked if ModelCheck would find these Override Values and he reported to me "NO". I have submitted an enhancement request, but I don't see this as an enhancement.
Thanks for your time,
Mike Heath
In the modelcheck file 'default_checks.mch' there is an option for overwrite dimensions.
DIM_OVERWRITE
The options are YNEW, so you can set your modelcheck to error on finding any overwritten dimensions. (Though I'm not sure how to do it, I've heard that you can set your PDM system to reject the check-in of any models/drawings with modelcheck errors. That'll teach em! (Yes, yes, I know it turns out to be rather impractical to use this option.))
The underlying issue isn't really whether either Pro/E or PTC or ModelCHECK will flag or allow this to happen. The issue really stems from users taking the effort to fake these in the first place. After all, a user can ignore any rule or policyyou put in place that's not hard-coded into the system.
I have not used an overridden dimension to fake a numberin 20 years. Usually this occurs when one is dimensioning "resultant" as opposed to "deliberate/explicit" features and the house of cards is too precarious to fix. In a simple sentence, good modeling practices never result in the need to over-ride a numericaldimension.
Now to thequestion. Yes, we do want the ability to over-ride dimensions for cases when one wants text instead of a dimension. This function is one I have used forever. What would be nice is when a dimension is overridden it stays a different color other than the normal dims. Not the purple, un-regenerated characteristic (bold print) but the same weight as regenerated dims. This would cut down on the abusing of over-ride by sheer guilt.
As Don, stated....beware the blatant mis-use of power.
If you want to show a dimesnion symbol instead of the dimension value, use @S instead of @D. You can edit the dimension properties so that the dimension symbol is "L" instead of "d42". That way if you decide later the change the dimension symbol to "LENGTH" it will update the dimension on the drawing and in any tables it is used in.
In Reply to Bob Schwerdlin:
How about using an override dimension to show something like, "L" for a part length and then having a repeat region table on the drawing with a column header showing "L" for all the various part lengths.
Bob