- [Instructor] In most popular 3D Solid modeling programs,
basic dimensioning tools can be found
in the default menus and toolbars.
These tools allow the designer
to assign dimensions to geometric features
and to find the sizes of the parts they create.
In most cases, these dimensioning tools give the designer
the ability to find the precision of a given dimension,
which is shown by the number of digits
to the right of the decimal point.
In addition to setting the precision of a dimension,
a range of tolerances can be assigned
to the dimension value.
The addition of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing tools
to 3D modeling programs is a somewhat recent phenomena.
Software commonly found
in high-volume manufacturing environments
began to incorporate GD&T notation early on,
in order to meet the documentation requirements
of their customers or regulatory agencies.
CAD programs found in less strictly controlled environments,
like schools or small design shops,
have only recently introduced GD&T tools
into their dimensioning tool set.
Note that not all CAD programs are 3D Solid modeling tools.
Programs like Rhino are very good
at creating surfaces and shapes,
but Rhino does not currently support
geometric dimensioning and tolerancing notation.