Measure distance, angle, loop, or area

On the Tools tab, Measure panel, use the Measure commands to measure distance, angle, loop, or area in parts and assemblies. For example, you can measure:

Dual units of measure can also be used for all measurements.

Note: You can also right-click in the graphics window, select Measure, and then click the desired option.

The Measure command is available in assemblies, parts, drawing, sheet metal, flat pattern, construction, and 2D and 3D sketch environments.

Measure linear distance or length

Linear measurements are displayed in the Measure dialog box as you make them. The title of the box changes to reflect the type of measurement.

  1. On the ribbon, click Tools tab Measure panel Distance .
  2. Click the arrow on the left to choose selection priority: Component, Part, or Edges and Faces.
  3. In the graphics window, click to select geometry to measure.
    • To measure the length of an edge, click to select the edge. The length is displayed below the Measurement box.
    • To measure the diameter of a cylindrical face or circle, hover the cursor over the cylindrical face or circle until a diameter line appears, and then click to select it. The diameter is displayed in the Measurement box.
    • To measure the radius of a cylindrical face or arc, hover the cursor over the cylindrical face or circle until a radius line appears, and then click to select it. The radius is displayed in the Measurement box.
    • To determine the position of a point from the origin, click to select the point. The position of the point relative to each axis of the active coordinate system is displayed.
    • To measure the distance between points, click to select the first point, and then click to select the second point. When you select the second point, the delta position relative the first point is displayed.
    • To measure the distance between two components in an assembly, click to select the first component, and then click to select the second component. When you select the second component, a minimum distance value is displayed. The minimum distance between two components can be an edge, face, or vertex.
      Note: While in an assembly, the Measure Distance command lets you change the selection priority in the context menu. Changing the priority also changes the type of minimum distance measurement you can perform, such as minimum distance between components or parts. The command defaults to Select Faces and Edges priority. When used in an assembly, the Component Priority option allows only components as valid selections, not faces. Changing the selection priority after the first selection were made resets the command.
    • To measure the circumferential length of an arc, select one endpoint of the arc, and then select the arc.
Tip: Use Select Other to choose the appropriate measurement. For example, if you click on an arc, use Select Other to choose between the arc radius and arc length measurements.

Measure an angle

Angular measurements are displayed in the Measure dialog box as you make them.

  1. On the ribbon, click Tools tab Measure panel Angle .
  2. In the graphics window, click to select the geometry to measure.
    • To measure the angle between two lines or edges, click to select one, and then click to select the other.
    • To measure the angle between points A and C, relative to the origin B, click points A, B, then C. The returned value is the angle between vectors BA and BC.

Measure a loop

Loop length measurements are displayed in the Measure dialog box as you make them.

  1. On the ribbon, click Tools tab Measure panel Loop .
  2. In the graphics window, click to select the geometry to measure.

Measure area

Area measurements are displayed in the Measure dialog box as you make them.

  1. On the ribbon, click Tools tab Measure panel Area .
  2. In the graphics window, click the contiguous, enclosed region to measure.

Use Measure to enter values in dialog boxes

You can use the Measure command to enter values in most dialog boxes.

  1. In a dialog box, click the arrow next to a box that requires a value (for example, the Taper or Distance box in the Extrude dialog box).
  2. Select Measure from the list.
  3. In the graphics window, click to select the geometry to measure the linear distance or angle, as appropriate. The measurement is automatically entered in the box.

Accumulate the values of several measurements

You can add the values of several linear measurements to calculate a total measurement.

  1. On the ribbon, click Tools tab Measure panel Distance or Angle.
  2. In the graphics window, click to select the geometry or distance to measure. The measurement is displayed in the Measure Distance dialog box.
  3. In the dialog box, click the arrow and select Add to Accumulate.
  4. Continue adding measurements to accumulate.
  5. When the desired measurements were added, click the arrow and select Display Accumulate. The sum of the measurements is displayed in the dialog box.

Pre-select objects

You can pre-select objects before starting any of the measure commands. If the selection set is compatible with the specified measure command, the results display. If the selection set is not compatible with the requested measure command, the selection set is cleared. For example, if three part edges are selected before you choose to measure distance, the selection set is cleared. If one object is selected and it is compatible with the requested measure command, the selection is retained.

Tip:
Parent topic: Edit models