Check the attached images. While adding a basic linear dimension whose two end points are located at the opposite direction relative to the target location for the horizontal dimension line and number, Rhino is unable to properly snap the latter to another object (the yellow dot in the images). Trying to snap to the yellow dot results into swapping the direction of the dimension so that it becomes vertical against my intent, even though the vertical distance between both ends points (the blue dots) is shorter than the horizontal distance between both of them.
There is a way to place a horizontal dimension between the blue dots and using the yellow dot to snap its location by choosing to build a rotated dimension instead of a linear dimension. However, that requires both, a few extra mouse clicks and using of this particular command in situations that could have been avoided should the TAB key was implemented as a directional lock/swap modifier (just like some other commands that already use the TAB key for the said purpose).
It would be sooo much better if the TAB was able to lock the direction of the dimension in progress, so that it will not behave in an annoying and unpredictable way.
Hi Pascal, I just realized that Rhino 7 has those two options added, unlike Rhino 6 that lacked them. Thanks for the tip!
Is there any chance that the TAB key would be also added as an alternative way to lock the dimension in the desired direction? The TAB key is used exactly for that purpose in many other commands and I kind of love its implementation there. Also, I’m sure that many Rhino users are quicker at tapping the TAB key than having to move their mouse to the command line to press on either “Vertical” or “Horizontal”, then move their mouse pointer back to the viewport to actually snap to the target object. With the TAB key, all of that mouse movement and extra mouse click is eliminated in a more convenient way. Also, if I accidentally click on “Vertical” instead of “Horizontal”, Rhino will not let me choose the other option and I’m forced to cancel the entire command and start building a dimension from scratch. The TAB key resolves that shortcoming as well, because it’s used to swap or lock/unlock the direction and the latter be repeated forever during the command.