Not sure if anybody uses it, but it seems to me that CADtools by Hotdoor is the holy grail of dimension and measuring tools. It would be nice to have Illustrator use some of that functionality, especially when it comes to:
- Measuring by points or segments
- Measuring angles
- Measuring curvature radius
- Measurement would follow the angle of the segment being measured
- Configuring unit type, decimals/fractions, precision, dual/multi-dimensions and scale
- Live dimensions (updates when the artwork is resized), with the possibility to turn it on/off
- Formatting arrow types, line thickness/color and font type/size
Looking forward to seeing how this feature will flourish and become an integral part of Illustrator.

Hello @Saurav Agrawal, that is amazing! Generally, I like functionality of Dimensions Illustrator Script by William Campbell (Mars Premedia), who elaborate good set of useful features.
https://www.marspremedia.com/software/illustrator/dimensions-illustrator

I do not work on any complex technical drawings in Illustrator. My common use case of dimensioning is, to specify dimensions and positions of brand, symbols, text and other labels on objects, like for branding of vehicles according to brand manuals.

If it can help, here is, what I would consider as good basic feature set for dimension tool in Illustrator:

— an ability to set scale of the drawing (like 1 : 50, to multiply displayed dimensions values by 50)
— an ability to use scale for object editing (like new fields in control panel, where you can set scale and edit the width, height, stroke, type size and other dimensions scaled; it should be easy to use both dimensions, original size on the artboard and real/scaled too)
— an ability to select an object and set left / top / right / bottom position of measurement results, ideally from on-screen context menu for adding dimensions quickly
— smart keyboard shortcuts to adding new dimension labels is necessary, adding dimensions should be as quick as possible
— labelling distances between selected objects would be useful
— some kind of smart object with extension lines to measured object interacting with smart guides and glyph bounds/baseline would be great
— live dimension labels, where label value changes if you change associated object, would be nice, with a possibility to convert the live labels into static texts when the work is finished
— an ability to set different scale for different part of the drawing could be possible, as in one drawing there can be parts with different scale ratios
— an ability to label text objects would be nice too (specify font, cut, type size in points and upper-case size in millimetres, leading, tracking, colour swatch name and definition)

For consistent formatting of the displayed dimensions, there should be styles or user presets, which should allow to set, save, and reuse in any document:

— scale ratio (inherited from drawing, zone or set to fixed value)
— the unit, displayed unit label, decimal places for dimension label and decimal separator (comma, period)
— rounding to nearest multiply of a user-defined number
— the distance/offset of lines and labels
— the paragraph style for text labels to be used
— the layer, where dimensions should be placed
— the colour swatch, stroke weight or graphic style for lines and line endings

I am looking forward to the updates for this new tool. I would love to see improvements in typesetting too. Implementation of non-breaking space would help a lot even on technical drawings where I specify dimensions, units, or manufacturing details.

Thanks
Petr

Hello @Saurav Agrawal,
Thanks for your reply.
I attach an example of a file with dimensions.
1- Diameter of circle of curve line, can be changed to radius. Center of the circle can be added automaticaly (same for other shapes, that's interesting to add center with a tool)
2- Just one clic on the shape to have lenght and height. But some tools can magicatly add more informations with one clic.
3- Specific tool to comment a drilling, counterbore or countersik.
4- Multiclic : one first point, second, then clic and slide for the last one to have the serial measuring.
5- Same thing than before but serial from first point.
6- Measure of a free line. Tool to clic and drag a comment.
What's important is customization and ergonomic so speed to use. (That's very boring to add mesaures... ahah !)
You can also have a look to the plugin I use here : http://jlg.outils.pagesperso-orange.fr/Telechargementsus/dimensionlightmodeemploius.pdf
Thanks ! If needed, I can test your new tool :-)

I use this marsmedia plug-in https://www.marspremedia.com/software/illustrator/dimensions-illustrator and I am very happy with it. I can set up preset settings for different uses. I also call up the plug-in with a simple F key (via action) and then insert project measures with a simple key press. In my opinion, the most important thing about the new tool is the customization and speed of use (even from the menu).

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 !