It has been about 10 years since I have worked with CAD and I am having a bit of a learning curve. I have searched and can't find an answer but it may be because it is so basic that it is just common knowledge.

When I used to draw a design I would draw the basic shape. I would then go in and dimension the lines and edit the dimension to get the proper length. In DraftSight it seems that dimensions are not 'linked' to the element and can not edit the length. Is this possible? Or does the drawing have to be created exactly as needed? Sometimes I need to make a part and then need to make the same thing but only a little longer. Before I could open the part, change the dimension as needed, and then save as a new part. Can this be done?

Also, I followed a tutorial on setting up a template. Now when I open it and dimension a line it does not show any numbers? What did I change? I thought I mainly changed the decimal point.

Thank you and sorry if my English is not great.