It doesn’t matter if the dimension starts off as a radius, diameter, or a linear diameter dimension (on a drawing in a model). One can become another quickly in SolidWorks 2009.
Step 1: To change a radius to a diameter, RMB click on the radius dimension. Choose Display Options>Display as a Diameter.
Step 2: To change a diameter dimension into a linear diameter dimension, RMB click on the diameter dimension. Choose Display Options>Display as linear.
Unfortunately, there is no way to shortcut these steps from a radius dimension to a linear diameter dimension. If starting out as a radius, both of these steps will need to be followed in succession to get a linear diameter dimension. Same goes for the reverse.
One word of caution when switching to a linear diameter dimension though; it will often not come in aligned to the Y or X axis, which may render it unuseful for certain circumstances.
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Author: fcsuper
As a drafter, mechanical designer and CAD engineer, I've been in the mechanical design field since 1991.
For the first 8 years of my career, I was an AutoCAD professional. I utilized AutoLISP and many other AutoCAD customization features to streamline drafting activities for 6+ drafters and designers. I authored several custom functions, one of which was published in the March 1997 issue of Cadalyst Magazine.
Since 1998, I've been used SolidWorks non-stop. I've worked to utilize the SolidWorks' user environment to simplify drafting and design activities for 20+ engineers. I've created this website to provide current information about SolidWorks from a variety of contributors.
More recently, I am now employed by Dassault Systemes as SOLIDWORKS Sr. Product Definition Manager to improve drawing, annotation and MBD related areas.
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