METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING DIMENSION LINE

PURPOSE:To automatically generate a dimension line indicating the position of a coupling hole with which a coupling element should be coupled on a draw ing showing a three-dimensional body. CONSTITUTION:In a 1st process, coordinate data on the coupling element and coordinate data on a reference point candidate at the time of the generation of the dimension line are converted (S1 and S2) into the coordinate data of a view coordinate system according to the input of view data. In a 2nd process, plural coupling holes are grouped and reference points are determined (S3 and S4) as to the respective coupling hole groups. In a 3rd process, coordinates of drawing positions of dimension lines regarding the respective coupling holes in the same group are determined (S8). In a 4th process, graphic data on the dimension lines are generated (S9) based on the coupling element coordinate data and dimension line drawing position coordinate data obtained through the 3rd process.