User Guide
User Guide
User Guide

Measure Distance

Use it!

Used to measure distance.

Tool SettingEffect
Distance

Sets the method of distance measuring.

  • Between Points
    • — Measures the cumulative distance from an origin.
  • Perpendicular
    • — Measures the perpendicular distance between an element
    see footnote 20 and a data point.
  • Minimum Between
    • — Measures the minimum distance between two elements.
    see footnote 21
To measure the cumulative distance from an origin
  1. Select the Measure Distance tool.

  2. In the Tool Settings window, set Distance to Between Points.

  3. Enter a data point to identify the origin (the point from which to measure).

  4. Enter a second data point.
    The distance between that point and the origin is displayed in the status bar.

  5. Enter another data point(s). The cumulative distance from the origin is displayed.
    or
    Reset to return to step 3.

To measure the distance along an element
  1. Select the Measure Distance tool.

  2. In the Tool Settings window, set Distance to Along Element.

  3. Identify the element at the origin (the point from which to measure).

  4. Enter a data point to define a point along the element. The distance from the origin along the element is displayed in the status bar.
    If the element is closed, this data point defines the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) in which measurements are made.

  5. Enter a data point(s). The distance along the element from the origin is displayed in the status bar.
    or
    Reset to return to step 3.

To measure perpendicular distance from an element
  1. Select the Measure Distance tool.

  2. In the Tool Settings window, set Distance to Perpendicular.

  3. Identify the element.

  4. Enter a data point.
    The perpendicular distance between the element and this point is displayed in the status bar. A temporary “line” is displayed as a visual aid but is not placed in the design.

  5. Enter another data point(s) to define other perpendicular measurements.

  6. If the element is a line string, shape, curve, complex chain, or complex shape, the distance is measured perpendicular to the segment identified in step 2.
    or
    Reset to return to step 3.

To measure the minimum distance between elements
  1. Select the Measure Distance tool.

  2. In the Tool Settings window, set Distance to Minimum Between.

  3. Identify the first element.

  4. Identify the second element.

  5. Accept the elements.
    The minimum distance between the elements is displayed in the status bar. A temporary “line” is displayed as a visual aid but is not placed in the design.

To measure the minimum distance to a surface (3D only)
  1. Key in MEASURE DISTANCE SURFACE.

  2. Identify the surface.

  3. Identify the point in the design cube from which you want to measure.

Key-in: measure distance icon


or

Key-in: MEASURE DISTANCE [ALONG | MINIMUM | PERPENDICULAR | POINTS | SURFACE]

To construct a minimum distance line between two elements, use the Construct Minimum Distance Line tool in the Linear Elements tool box.