SolidWorks has three different attachment points when dimensioning a distance to and arc or circle. The arc conditions are described below.
Center: The default when an arc is selected. Dimension attached to the center point of the arc.
Minimum Distance: Attachment point is to the closest point on the arc on the same die of the center as the other end of the dimension. Linear dimension does not cross arc centerpoint.
Maximum Distance: Attachment point is to the farthest point on the arc on the opposite side as the other end of the dimension. Linear dimension crosses arc centerpoint.
Selecting an arc as part of a linear dimension causes the dimension to default to the center arc condition. However, if the Shift key is held down as he arc is selected for a linear dimension, the arc condition will be minimum or maximum, whichever is closest to the side being selected.
Further, the arc conditions) of a dimension can be changed after the dimensions is created. Right-click on the dimension, select Properties, and change the arc condition by selecting the new option near the bottom of the dialog box.
Note that there can be two arc conditions to control if the linear dimension is between two arcs.
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