Measurements can be taken in the default view, look for the
New Measurement button in the toolbar. However, it is also available as a module.
What is it?
Measurements provide ways to probe parts on the platform for their geometric properties.
What can I measure?
These properties are lengths, distances, wall thicknesses, and angles on and between parts, including angles against the cardinal planes. Feature detection and snapping helps with setting measurement points.
Multiple measurements can be created which will be maintained and updated as much as possible (or sensible) during further steps such as (proportional) scaling, moving, and rotating, as well as Undo and Redo actions, as long as the original part and involved geometry is kept.
What are key features of Measurements?
Feature detection and snapping
- You can select from measurement primitives like points, lines or edges, circles, and planes, and Netfabb will attempt to detect the appropriate features under the mouse pointer to snap start or end of a measurement to them.
- You can restrict or unrestrict snapping of certain detectable features. For instance, you can restrict points to only snap to edges.
Measurement configuration and adjustment
- Measurements, once taken, are represented in the display by labels and arrows pointing to the location or locations involved.
- Labels can be dragged around to rearrange them, for instance, to take screenshots for documentation purposes.
- Labels can be given a comment.
- Circle measurements can be switched between displaying radius or diameter.
- Distance measurements can be configured to only consider certain components of the cardinal coordinates.
- Angle measurements can be created to show any arc of the full circle about the measured angle.
Display
- A more extensive list of applicable values, the X, Y, and Z coordinates of an angle's apex, for example, is available.
- You can restrict or unrestrict snapping of certain detectable features. For instance, you can restrict points to only snap to edges.
What additional functionality does the module offer?
Measurements taken while the module is active appear in the project tree as collapsible section that can remain visible while working on something else. They also persist through saving and loading work to the FABBPROJECT file. However, the measurement module can only work on one part at a time.
Additionally, the measurement module can generate a
blueprint of the current part. These documents contain accurate drawings. Print them to match against a finished 3D-printed part.