Just look at all the other software out there..... CorelDraw has an excellent dimension function. Why are you dragging your heels so much Adobe?

Hey @Eloi, Thanks a lot for your kind feedback, can you please share few examples where you have annotated dimensions for us to have a look at?

Hello @Saurav Agrawal
What a so good news, thanks a lot !!!!
I'm not enough fluent to speak with you over a video call, I'm better at writing than speaking...
A tool like http://jlg.outils.pagesperso-orange.fr/cotationmodeemploihtmlus.html is great, I use it for many years for design.
Here are the main functions, the must have :
- Measuring segments, angles, circles, bezier lines, perimeters, lenghts and areas + options for each tool. (radius or diameter of circle tool for instance)
- Change unit and/or put double unit.
- Personalize font (size and kind), colors, number format, lines, arrows, scale, tolerance, gap between lines and shape measured.
- Autorize serial measuring, double measuring (vertical, horizontal), constraint to horizontal or vertical measuring. Oblique measuring.
You can contact me directly by email if necessary, I can send you screenshots if needed.
Thanks !!!!

Hello everyone,

We can't be more excited to tell you that we will soon have a native dimension tool on Adobe Illustrator!

We have recently started working on it and we would love to hear your expectations for this tool so that we can build a tool that meets your requirement and makes you successful!

We have also been collecting our perspective on how the tool should be and we would love you to have a look at it and tell us your opinion.

The tools that you have been waiting for years is finally arriving and this is your chance to voice your needs to us!

For this, we are requesting few minutes of your time where we would want to talk to you over a video call. Click on the link below and chose a time slots that suits you and I would be happy to connect.

https://calendly.com/saurava/need-your-input-for-making-a-great-dimension-tool-for-adobe-illustrator

Eagerly waiting to listen to your requirements!

Thanks
Saurav
Product manager for Ai

We also use PowerScript Dimension from o2creative (https://www.o2creative.co.nz/Dimensions_PowerScript_Plugin_Extension_for_Adobe_Illustrator.php), it works even better than CadTools for us. Nowadays we only need very basic dimensioning and with the PowerScript Dimensioning plugin this works quite well (and very fast).

CadTools does have a lot more possibilities for extensive dimensioning (which we used before), but the update schedule and pricing did not justify using it for us.

The JLG Dimensioning plugin also looks very nice: http://jlg.outils.pagesperso-orange.fr/cotationmodeemploihtmlus.html, we have not used it, but it looks very nice.

Right now we are using PowerScript Dimension from o2creative for this. It fits our needs very well, so an Adobe-Tool should at least have the functionality of this tool to make us think of using a native Illustrator-Tool instead of it.

Usecase from corrugated board printer:

We are preparing files to print, sometimes it requires moving object so we need to measure distances to technical drawing. Basically if technical drawing is a square, and we have a circle, which was centered, and we had to move it, we will measure distance from top line of square to most top point of circle, bottom line of square to most bottom top of circle, and analogically with left and right distance.

Auto updating when resizing would be cool. When for example there was a measure created for a rectangle diagonal - resizing the box could update size of the diagonal.

Would be probably harder when measured is distance between to objects, but there are still two anchors.

So in case of measuring distance between two anchors, it could be just like keeping additional data for those two points, that they were connected with measure, and there should be drawn line with label about distance. Not sure if there is a need to be able to add measures for empty space - not attaching it to any points. Then it probably shouldn't update?

During few years never used scaling myself, but for architecture it's probably important.

Also - each company has it's own brand etc. - customization of font, color, thicnkess of lines, ending arrows would be a great addition - maybe some measurement styles? - you could create them like regular border styles.

Diagonal measurements are also helpful, although not so common, but not having them would hurt.
Radial measurements - angles etc. are not so needed in that usecase.

I'm thinking about where those dimensions should be kept, maybe another 'eye' icon on each layer which would show/hide the dimensions on specific layer? It would be some upgrade over the CadTools in my opinion. Or just a sublayer created for each layer where dimensions are being drawn, but allowing and forcing dimensions to be drawn there, so it's easy to grab them later.

Currently using HotDoor CadTools, but waiting for their late releases is a pain.

For my wok flow, pages are printed out to aid in production, the measurements need to be able to be added to the page. Horizontal, Vertical, angular, radius, diameter.... all are used. I also need to show art at multiple scales to fit on a printed page. I use a plugin that allows scales to be assigned to a layer That would be a super handy addition as well.

See the attached examples of my work.

1.) An integration in Illustrator would be highly appreciated to be more efficient
2.) More flexibility than horizontal and vertical would be really nice to have. I'd use it e.g. for measuring exhibition booth plans where 3D objects are not only rectangles parallel to the booth area.

Agree with everything in the previous comment. Often in my work we are designing pieces that are laid out on top of architectural drawings, so the ability to se dimension to standard architectural scales (ex: 1/2'=1'-0") as well as any custom scale would be great.

It would also be good to be be able to make dimensions on angles as well.

The ability to have the dimensions auto update is important. There are many plugins on the market that will add dimensioning, but most of them require the dimension to be re-drawn once the object is re-sized. CadTools is the only plug-in I'm aware of which updates as objects are re-sized.

Need to be able to select two points and add a dimension. Or select a line segment. Radius or diameter of a circle/arc

Length of path, area of a shape.

Set dimension unit and scaling 1:2 etc, text size. Automatically adjust if object scale changes

We have been using PowerScript Dimensioning. It is simple dimensioning, but enough for us for now.

https://www.o2creative.co.nz/Dimensions_PowerScript_Plugin_Extension_for_Adobe_Illustrator.php

Yes, dimensioning is an important tool for anyone working in productions. I work in the film industry and we are constantly creating different kinds of signage with elevations and angles. Linear and angular dimensioning is a must. The plugin HotDoor CAD Tools is an option but it slows down the application and makes it buggy. Please Adobe this is a must.

1000 of comments, but since 5 years and longer nobody seems to care at adobe. it is realy not a big deal, yes it is work but adobe is leading and the want to be the best of the best with there tools. so why do they stop here and leave us alone. It is like asking for a litte LED lamp in your cordless screwdriver. It is of course not needed, but it be so good to have it in a dark place.
What is your problem, Adobe????
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes add the automatic dimension tool (both linear and angular) just like in AutoCAD. Its very very useful for packaging design.

Please, please, please … add dimensioning, it’s been soooooo long now !

Yes, we've been waiting far too long......Adobe seem to think illustrator should just be used for illustration where as they should be celebrating it's versatility as a design package too. GIVE US A DIMENSION TOOL JUST LIKE COREL DRAW!!!!!

I would think almost 5 years would be enough time to get the info you need.

Much like (read:exactly like) Corel Draw has had for nearly two decades, add the ability to automatically dimension without an expensive third party plug-in

Is there any update on adding this feature? Would be so helpful to have something built-in. For years I've used a 3rd party plug-in (HotDoor CadTools) but something that's more seamlessly integrated would be helpful!

I mainly use its horizontal, vertical, angular and radius dimensioning tools. AND- their tool to set your page to an architectural scale is great, especially for storefront signage when I'm doing a layout on a blueprint.

But every time Adobe updates its software, having to wait for the CadTools update is frustrating. And their software is expensive to keep up to date. And- the fact that the line weights and font sizes on dimensions don't have a way of automatically sizing with your document is less than ideal. If I'm working on something that's 10 ft wide, I'd like a big font. But if it's 10 in wide, a small font.

As others have mentioned, it really helps for ensuring no mistakes at sign shops, and when presenting finished designs to make sure everyone is on the same page about sizing.

Thank you!