How to Rotate Dimensions in Solidworks?

You can rotate a dimension in Solidworks by holding the Ctrl key and dragging a specific handle.

Rotating dimensions allows you to adjust their orientation on a drawing sheet for better readability and layout. Solidworks provides a straightforward method to achieve this, as detailed in the reference.

Here's the exact process based on the provided information:

1. Start the process: Ensure you are in the drawing environment with dimensions already placed.
2. Select the dimension: Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
3. Identify the handle: Locate the handle that is nearest to the dimension's text. Dimensions typically have handles for dragging or modifying.
4. Rotate the dimension: While holding Ctrl, drag the handle nearest the dimension text. As you drag this specific handle, the dimension will rotate around its attachment points or center in small, controllable intervals.

This method is particularly useful for angular adjustments or fine-tuning the placement of dimensions in congested areas of a drawing.

Steps to Rotate a Dimension

Here's a quick summary table of the process:

Step	Action	Key / Mouse Input
1. Preparation	Ensure dimension is placed	N/A
2. Selection	Hold Ctrl key	Ctrl key
3. Identify	Find handle nearest dimension text	N/A
4. Rotation	Drag the handle while holding Ctrl	Click and Drag Mouse, Ctrl key

• Practical Tip: The rotation occurs in small increments, giving you good control over the final angle. Experiment with the drag direction to see how the rotation behaves.

By following these steps, derived directly from the reference, you can effectively rotate your dimensions to improve the clarity and presentation of your Solidworks drawings.