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!

Is it possible to add a dimensions tool to Illustrator? would be very helpful when showing print die suppliers the size of the printed area. Just need a tool that, when clicking 2 points or lines, will draw arrows in both directions with text dimensions in the middle.

Alessandro, the advice Chris gave is for Acrobat, not Illustrator.
Thera are some scripts and plugins (like DynamicMeasure and CADDimensions) that can do that already.
Also, what do you mean by 'quotes and snap'?

in the latest version of illustrator, the measurement tool does not have the functions you describe ... I tried to follow your directions without success. When I select the measure tool the information window opens which tells me only the distance, no area, no perimeter and scale factor. Am I wrong something?

We have Cadtools, really like it, but each time a new Illustrator version sees the light you need to upgrade. Too expensive for us, since we only use some basic functions. And all the other functions are really of no use to us. Tested several other plug-ins and we now use Powerscripts (USD 25,00 or USD 39,50 with 6 other scripts: https://www.o2creative.co.nz/Dimensions_PowerScript_Plugin_Extension_for_Adobe_Illustrator.php).

Works for us. Quite well actually. Only one drawback, cannot change the dot into a comma in the preferences (or cannot find how to). Emailed about it, but never any answer or any change.

Maybe Adobe can buy this company and work from there ;-).

"NEED MORE INFO" What BS, buy a copy of CorelDraw you'll see what we want lol!

Totally agree with this suggestion. I could use this in numerous instances. Also great for teaching and product development.

Because it seems that Adobe don't want to work on the tool, I've search one on the web a tool less expensive than Cad-tools...
I've tried BPT-Pro4 from Baby-Universe, very good but when Adobe launch a new version of CC, it's necessary to wait around 6 months to have an update from them... :-(
I've found a french guy with a very good solution (translated in english and german), not very expensive (25€ for an unlimited licence + unlimited updates) :
http://jlg.outils.pagesperso-orange.fr/cotationmodeemploihtmlfr.html
Very kind guy, when you have a pb, when you want a specific tool or else, his feedback is excellent !

@Irmantus :-D

Guys, @Yogesh Sharma is working on it. Why you have to bother him every year lol

Any updates on this? @Yogesh Sharma

Been using adobe illustrator for decades now and there is one feature that has never been implemented that every other software has and adobe still does not. Smart dimensions, I'm sure every artist that has ever used illustrator for production purposes would like this feature added. Corel has it, all CAD applications have it, Illustrator is pretty much the only vector based design software that has not implemented this yet and I would love to see this added. There are plugins for illustrator to do this but they are extremely expensive, so if a 3rd party can implement this I'm not sure why Adobe cant. Hotdoors Cadtools is a perfect example of the feature set I think any production artist would love to see built in to illustrator and would be an absolute game changer for anyone in the signage or large format printing industry.

@Yogesh Sharma
Yes, included inside illustrator with all dimensions like CADTool plugin : vertical, horizontal, diameter, etc etc
As written by many people we are waiting for this functionality for many many years.
When I see the price we pay each year for the CC suite, it's incredible to pay a plugin for such a simple tool !

We've been asking for this for god knows how long ... seems to me that there is no intention on Adobe's part to make this happen.

Inside illustrator, vertical, horizontal, and angular.

If you want a simplier, lighter and cheaper plug-in than CADtools, you can try BPT-Pro plug-in by Baby-universe. It is a little Japanese firm.
CADtool is a good produce, but I find it is too expensive and I need only a few tools.

Have a pen tool option which automatically adds the length of the line you draw with arrows/dimension lines. This would allow fast labelling of mockups or product drawings. I work with architectural drawings and need to quickly add dimensions to rooms or objects. Similar to measure tool in Acrobat, but more accurate.

I've tried the Specify plugin, but it doesn't dynamically adjust dimensions. So if you change the object you need to re-do the dimension.