After using dimensions a lot more extensively over the last two years one thing I seem to have not figured out is how to make small dimensions look neater.
If I create a dimension that is too small for the text I can move the text out from between the dimension lines, but then my arrowheads move inside the extension lines and overlap.
I've had the same behaviour on Coreldraw X7, 2020, 2023, and also Corel Designer. I figured this was just the way it goes, and we do sort've an ugly fix by reversing the arrowheads under the outline attributes.
That was until I noticed in the documentation for Corel Designer ( Dimension lines - Corel DESIGNER Help ) the text states if the dimension line is too small it will automatically place them outside the leader lines. But this doesn't happen for me in Designer, either.
I almost feel like I'm missing something very obvious. Does anyone have any insight on this?
couple of ways.
1. Make your outline thinner. The thicker the outline the bigger the arrow.
2. Set your arrow to the smallest one or make a custom one for your needs.
Might even use a couple of macros. One for bigger dimensions and one for smaller ones.
Hi Myron,
The outline is already Hairline. I reduced the size of the arrows but the arrows are still on the inside of the leader lines.
This is the image from the Corel Designer help file, and the results I am looking for.
My technique ends up getting me this instead what is shown below. The original dimension, the dimension with the text moved out of centre, and then the last one with the arrow heads reduced in size... but none match the documentation image.
Jeff, this was posted a while back, but I saw it and have an answer. When dimensions are overlapping the arrows, use the Shape Tool, click on the dimension, select all the nodes by dragging the Shape Tool cursor to lasso them, then nudge or drag the dimension text anywhere. (For some reason I could not insert a picture - too old?)
Oh my gosh... so unintuitive and looks exactly the way I want it to!
It does look like it is a little touchy once the dimension is moved; I'm not sure I can fiddle with the positioning too much after that without the numbers becoming disconnected from my lines (at least on the copy of X7 I have on-hand), but this is still a great improvment as far as esthetics.
With CDGS2023, as long as I use the Shape Tool and select all dimension text nodes, I can repeatedly drag or nudge the dimension text anywhere; also tried saving and reopening file, changing object size - no matter where the dimension text had been moved, it stayed there and updated when the object size changed.