Create line length dimensions

1  When you start the Smart command, the program prompts you to select an entity. Click to select a line or edge. Select the entity anywhere along its length except at a Snap point.
2 You are prompted to enter the origin.

Notice that the program immediately displays the dimension, which moves as you move the cursor. By default, the dimension is aligned with the entity you selected (the Distance orientation option). To create the dimension, simply specify the location of the dimension line.



Orientation
Prior to creating the dimension, you can change the orientation of the dimension line by selecting one of the following from the Orientation drop-down list:
Distance
measures and creates the dimension parallel to the line through the endpoints of the entity
Horizontal
measures and creates the dimension parallel to the X-axis
Vertical
measures and creates the dimension parallel to the Y-axis
Projected
measures and creates the dimension at a specified angle. When you choose this option, the Angle mini-dialog box is displayed, so that you can set the dimension line angle (which is measured counter-clockwise in relation to the X-axis).
Automatic
measures and creates the dimension parallel to the line through the endpoints of the entity or parallel to either the X-axis or the Y-axis(which are shown in the images in that order)

Dimension Format
Using the Dimension Format option you can create the dimensions in any desired format.

Entity Properties
By clicking on the Entity Properties option, the Entity Properties window shows up, that enables you to control appearance of the dimension.