Richard B. Farlow sent in this trick for getting your AutoCAD dimension text to change positions by using the Properties palette — without leaving paper space.

"When using dimensions that describe an object shown in two viewports separated by breaklines, the dimtext is often not visible in either one. A quick fix is to use the Properties palette (I prefer the Quick Properties palette) where there are fields showing the text position by x or y coordinates. Selecting either field will display a button that allows you to choose a position on the dimlines in either viewport where you want the text to display without having to change back to model space to do it."

Notes from Cadalyst tip reviewer Brian Benton: Getting dimensions and text to display correctly can be a pain. This is a great trick that is very easy to do. If you dimension in model space and you come across this situation, activate your viewport and select the dimension. Open the Properties palette or Quick Properties palette. Scroll down to the text area. Select the coordinates in either the Text Position X or Text Position Y boxes. Two icons will appear at the end of the coordinate box: one is to open Quick Calc (to calculate the new coordinate position), and the other (which looks like a red X with an arrow pointing to it) will let you move the dimension text's position. You don't have to find the text, and you don't have to select the text. It just gives you the text and allows you to provide new coordinates. Type them in or click on the spot on the screen where you want them to go.