Skip to content

Repair Dimension References

In one sentence: Re-links dimensions that have turned orange (broken) after a model topology change — lets you re-select the correct geometry for each broken dimension.

Overview

Workbench: TechDraw
Menu: TechDraw → Dimensions → Repair Dimension References

When a model undergoes topology changes (a face is split, a feature is deleted and re-added, or a body is Boolean-combined), the internal edge and vertex IDs can change. Dimensions that referenced the old IDs turn orange and display ? instead of a value.

Step-by-step

  1. Observe which dimensions have turned orange and display ?.
  2. Choose TechDraw → Dimensions → Repair Dimension References.
  3. A dialog lists all broken dimensions.
  4. For each broken dimension, re-select the correct geometry in the view.
  5. Click OK.

Preventing broken dimensions

  • Avoid renaming or deleting features that dimensions reference.
  • Use PartDesign → Named constraints as reference geometry — named geometry is more stable across topology changes than raw edge/vertex IDs.
  • After significant model restructuring, run Repair Dimension References before delivering the drawing.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Orange dimensions indicate broken references

Immediately after a model change, check whether any dimensions have turned orange. Orange means the referenced geometry no longer exists or has changed ID. Use Repair Dimension References before delivering the drawing.

See also