The Challenge
Dimensioning columns means picking the right reference face, finding the nearest grid in each direction, drawing the dimension line, and nudging it into a clean position — then doing it again for every column in the plan. Round, steel, and other non-rectangular sections don't offer the same clean faces to reference, so they need an entirely different manual approach, which only adds to the repetition.
Our Solution
Column Dimensions reads every column family in the model and lets you mark which types are rectangular and which are not. For rectangular columns it finds the top and left faces and dimensions them to the nearest grid; for round, steel, or other non-rectangular types it dimensions from the column's center point instead. Every dimension line is placed at the exact offset distance you set, with zero-length results cleaned up automatically.
Type-by-Type Workflow
Mark each column family as rectangular or non-rectangular from a simple checklist, so every column gets the dimensioning approach that fits its shape.
Face-Referenced Dimensions
Rectangular columns are dimensioned from their actual top and left faces, not approximate bounding geometry.
Center-Point Dimensions for Round & Steel Columns
Non-rectangular sections are dimensioned from their geometric center, avoiding unreliable face references on curved or irregular profiles.
Nearest-Grid Detection
Measures the distance to every grid in the view and automatically picks the correct horizontal and vertical reference grid for each column.
Consistent Custom Offsets
Set the dimension line offset distance once, in X and Y, and it's applied the same way across every column processed.
Zero-Length Dimension Cleanup
Automatically discards any dimension that resolves to near zero, so the drawing stays free of clutter.
2
2
Grid-Referenced Dimensions
per Column
100%
Dimensions Placed at
Your Set Offset
1
Run for the
Whole Selection
Zero
Repeated Manual
Clicks
Auto
Nearest-Grid
Selection
