Create linear or angular measurements

Describes tools that let you measure linear distance or angles.

Measure a linear distance between two points or locators

1. Choose Locators > Measure > Distance.
2. Click a locator for the start point, or
   • Click in empty space to add a world space locator, or type 3D coordinates to place the locator exactly.
   • Click a curve to add a curve locator.
   • Click an isoparametric curve on a surface to add a surface locator.
   • Click a mesh to add a space locator attached to the mesh.
   Tip:

   If more than one object are under the cursor, the pick chooser appears. Point to the hand icon next to the object you want. Keep the mouse button down to position the reference point.

3. Click a locator for the end point, or click to create a new locator as in step 2.

   If you are using an existing locator:

   • Click the to measure the diagonal distance between the locators.
   • Click the to measure the horizontal distance between the locators.
   • Click the to measure the vertical distance between the locators.

   If you are creating a new locator:

   • Click the to place the end locator freely.
   • Click the to place the end locator horizontal to the start point
   • Click the to place the end locator vertical to the start point.
   • If you want to measure horizontal or vertical distance on an existing distance locator, change the Display parameter in the Information window.
4. You can edit the parameters of the locator in the Information Window.
   Note:

   The points of a distance locator are displayed as crosses only when the Distance tool or the Move locator tool is active.

Measure the shortest distance from an object to a reference point

1. Choose Locators > Deviation > Closest Point.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Click a reference point, or a point on a curve, surface, or mesh.
     Tip:

     If more than one object are under the cursor, the pick chooser appears. Point to the hand icon next to the object you want. Keep the mouse button down to position the reference point.

   • Click a point in space to create a reference point.
   • Type 3D coordinates to create a reference point.
3. Click the object whose closest point you want to find.

Measure the angle between three points or locators

1. Choose Locators > Measure > Angle.
2. Click a locator for the endpoint of the first arm, or:
   • Click in empty space to add a world space locator, or type 3D coordinates to place the locator exactly.
   • Click a curve to add a curve locator.
   • Click an isoparametric curve on a surface to add a surface locator.
   • Click a mesh to add a space locator attached to the mesh.
   Tip:

   If more than one object are under the cursor, the pick chooser appears. Point to the hand icon next to the object you want. Keep the mouse button down to position the reference point.

3. Click a locator for the vertex of the angle, or click to create a new locator as in step 2.
   • Click the to place the end point horizontal to the start point
   • Click the to place the end point vertical to the start point.
4. Click an existing locator for the end point of the second arm, or click to create a new locator as in step 2.
   • Click the to place the end point horizontal to the start point
   • Click the to place the end point vertical to the start point.
5. The new locator appears. Pick and drag the label to change the length of the measurement leaders (see the following procedure).
   Note:

   The points of an angle locator are displayed as crosses only when the Angle tool or the Move locator tool is active.