Measure Distance

Length

• True – The true measurement in 3D world space (such as seen in the Perspective window).

• Projected – The measurement reports the distance/angle as it appears in the window in which the measurement was created.

How to measure a linear distance between two points or locators

1. Select the tool.

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.

     Note: In some cases, the picked area may be too small to place a measurement point. If this happens, the promptline displays a "Could not place a point for that polygon" message. Zoom in the view, then try picking the area again.
   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. To move a locator handle, click and drag it to a new position.

   

5. 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.