# Dimensions will not show for more than one line

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dimensions-will-not-show-for-more-than-one-line/40577>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [March 31, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dimensions-will-not-show-for-more-than-one-line/40577 "2026-03-31T02:29:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hhsmiley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c57346/32.png) [@hhsmiley](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/hhsmiley)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dimensions-will-not-show-for-more-than-one-line/40577/1 "2026-03-31T02:29:58Z")

</div>

I have been through all the tutorials, videos, and posts in the community forums but nothing has worked so far.

I simply cannot select more than one line at a time to show it’s dimensions. As soon as I click on a different line, the dimensions of the first one selected disappear.

I tried deleting all constraints to no avail.

This happens whether auto constraint is on or off and whether always show dimensions is on or off.

FWIW I have no idea what “show all dimensions” is any good for because NO dimensions are shown until I click on a line.

Locking a dimension using the padlock icon or shift L has no effect.

Restarting the program doesn’t work.

This seems like the simplest most basic bit of functionality to use in a CAD program and the fact that it doesn’t work is really starting to get frustrating.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hhsmiley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c57346/32.png) [@hhsmiley](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/hhsmiley)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 2:43am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dimensions-will-not-show-for-more-than-one-line/40577/2 "2026-03-31T02:43:31Z")

</div>

I discovered one workaround which kind of works for now but does not seem to be the actual solution. One line I want to show dimensions for is vertical and one is horizontal. If I change the dimension display to “horizontal” and “vertical” respectively instead of “absolute” multiple dimension labels will show.

Is there a setting anywhere for the default for labels to be set to H and V by default instead of absolute?

While this “works” it seems clunky to have to choose the label type individually for every single line I want to dimension to display for.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Xdrakosha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/xdrakosha/32/24881_2.png) [@Xdrakosha](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Xdrakosha)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2026, 6:14am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dimensions-will-not-show-for-more-than-one-line/40577/3 "2026-03-31T06:14:45Z")

</div>

Dimensions are only visible once they are defined. Selecting a single line lets you define its length; selecting two or more lines switches to angle dimensions, which is why the length disappears.

To lock a dimension, select the line, enter the value, and press Enter or the green check button. When initially setting dimensions for some shapes, like rectangles, you can also use the Tab key to confirm the value.

> [@hhsmiley](#):
>
> I have no idea what “show all dimensions” is any good for

When “Show all dimensions” is on, locked dimensions will always be visible.

> [@hhsmiley](#):
>
> Locking a dimension using the padlock icon or shift L has no effect.

This one is for locking geometry in place, not for locking dimensions.

> [@hhsmiley](#):
>
> If I change the dimension display to “horizontal” and “vertical” respectively instead of “absolute”

This is a different type of dimension you can lock; it has nothing to do with their visibility. Maybe you just caught some kind of side effect, nothing more.