UT Dim-Extension and ESRI DIM Features

What are DIM Features?

Dimensions = Dimension (DIM) Features
are a separate feature type in ArcGIS (and therefore no SimpleFeatures).
At least one editor license is required to edit/create them.

ArcGIS supports certain simple dimension types, but not composite dimensions (such as orthogonal or chain dimensions).

What is the UT Dim extension for?

In order for editing and deleting composite dimensions (e.g. orthogonal dimensions) to produce the desired result, the desired behavior is cast into a piece of software (the dim extension). This extension must be assigned to the dimension feature class (this happens via the ArcCatalog - context menu).

The Dim-Extension does not control the display of the dimension - this is done by ArcGIS alone. Therefore the dimensions can be passed on to third parties or displayed and edited with other tools without any problems.

The handling of extensions by ArcGIS may cause problems if external tools are used to access such data or if this data is to be passed on to third parties. Then you have to:

• either remove the assignment of the DIM Extension before (ArcCatalog - context menu)
• or the installation unit "UT Components" from the UT setup must be installed on the target system. This component does not require a license and allows, among other things, access to DIM feature classes to which the Dim extension is assigned.