Dimension Tools

Dimension Tools is a Blender add-on for creating parametric dimension chains for architectural drawings. Dimensions are generated as renderable geometry using Geometry Nodes rather than viewport overlays, allowing them to remain part of the scene and appear in renders. The add-on supports CAD-style dimension drawing, automatic dimensions from selected geometry, multiple orthographic planes, live editing, architectural drawing conventions, and conversion to curves for 2D workflows and SVG export.

Key features:

  • Renderable Dimensions: Creates dimensions as real Geometry Nodes-driven geometry that remains in the Blender file and can be rendered with different render engines.
  • CAD-Style Drawing: Creates dimensions by selecting two points and positioning the resulting dimension line.
  • Vertex Snapping: Snaps dimension points to vertices with an on-screen indicator during placement.
  • Dimension Chains: Extends a dimension chain by continuing to select additional points, with shared control points between individual measurements.
  • Alignment Controls: Supports orthogonal and aligned dimensions, including X and Y axis locking.
  • Live Total Dimension: Displays an optional overall measurement alongside the individual measurements within a dimension chain.
  • Dimensions from Selection: Generates horizontal and vertical dimension rows automatically from vertices selected in Edit Mode.
  • Five Drawing Planes: Supports Plan, Front, Back, Right, and Left orthographic views for floor plans, elevations, and sections.
  • Automatic Plane Detection: Detects the dimension plane from the flattest axis of the selected geometry when generating dimensions from a selection.
  • Live Editing: Uses mesh vertices as control points, automatically recalculating dimension values and graphics when points are moved, added, or deleted.
  • Technical Drawing Controls: Provides settings for oblique tick marks, extension-line gaps and overshoots, text size, tick size, line weight, unit scale, decimals, and material.
  • Drawing Scale: Defines graphic sizes in paper millimeters and scales them according to the selected architectural drawing scale.
  • Bake to Curves: Converts selected dimensions into curve objects with single-line geometry and outlined text for 2D work, plotting, or SVG export.
  • Parametric Copy Preservation: Includes a Keep Original option that retains a hidden parametric copy when dimensions are baked, allowing settings to be changed and the dimensions baked again.