Modify dimension geometry

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

The Edit Vertices tool Edit Vertices allows you to select a dimension feature and reposition the text or move the vertices that define its baseline or dimension line. This tool is available in the Modify Features pane.

Dimensions are annotation features with additional geometry. The elements of a dimension are illustrated in the following diagram:

Dimension elements

When you modify dimension geometry, consider the following:

  • Text properties are defined by the text symbol assigned to the dimension style. If the text Callout property includes a leader line, the leader appears when you move the text beyond the leader line tolerance.
  • To reset the text to its default position, use the Attributes pane Attributes to select the dimension feature and click the Reset Text Placement button on the Dimension tab.
  • To type the x- and y-coordinates for a vertex, edit the dimension geometry attributes in the Attributes pane Attributes, on the Attributes tab.

To modify dimension geometry or reposition text, complete the following steps:

  1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

    Note:

    To migrate dimension features from ArcMap, create a backup and upgrade the feature class. Similarly, you might need to upgrade dimensions that were created with older versions of ArcGIS Pro. To learn more, see Management of dimension feature class properties.

  2. On the ribbon Edit tab, click Modify in the Features group.

    The Modify Features pane appears.

  3. Click the Vertices tool Edit Vertices.

    To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

  4. Click the Change the selection tool Active Select in the tool pane and select the dimension feature.

    If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This List By Selection.

    The vertex handles for the baseline and dimension line highlight on the map, and a selection boundary appears around the text.

    Dimension example
    Note:

    Project settings symbolize the first vertex green and the last vertex red.

  5. To move the text, hover over the selection boundary and drag it when the pointer changes to the move cursor.
    Tip:

    To reset the text to its default position, use the Attributes pane Attributes to select the dimension feature and click the Reset Text Placement button on the Dimension tab.

  6. To edit the baseline or dimension line, hover over a vertex handle and drag it when the pointer changes to the directional cursor Directional cursor.

    To type the x- and y-coordinates for a vertex, edit the dimension geometry attributes in the Attributes pane Attributes, on the Attributes tab.

    The attribute fields are described in the following table:

    Field Property

    BEGINX

    X-coordinate of the start dimension point

    BEGINY

    Y-coordinate of the start dimension point

    ENDX

    X-coordinate of the end dimension point

    ENDY

    Y-coordinate of the end dimension point

    DIMX

    X-coordinate of the dimension line height

    DIMY

    Y-coordinate of the dimension line height

    TEXTX

    X-coordinate of the text point

    Note:

    This field is null if the text is in the default location defined by the dimension style.

    TEXTY

    Y-coordinate of the text point

    Note:

    This field is null if the text is in the default location defined by the dimension style.

    EXTANGLE

    Extension line angle

    Dimension geometry attributes

  7. To finish the feature, right-click and click Finish Finish, or press the F2 key.

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