Measure Distance

Used to measure distance. The coordinates are always reported from the active model and not from a reference file attachment.

You can access this tool from the following:
  • Ribbon: Drawing > Analyze > Measure
  • Toolbox: Measure


Measurements of referenced perspective saved views are not supported.

Setting Description
Method Sets the method of distance measuring.
  • Between Points ? Measures the linear distance between two data points. When the command is active a running total is displayed. Can be used in 2D or 3D design or sheet models.
  • Along Element ? Measures along an element from an origin. Can be used in 2D or 3D design or sheet models. Elements are: Line, line string, multi-line, arc, ellipse, shape, curve, B-spline curve, complex chain, or complex shape.
  • Perpendicular ? Measures the distance between elements perpendicular to each other. Can be used in 2D Design models and sheet models. Tool only works in a 3D file in the Top view orientation. Other view rotations like Front may not yield the result expected. Elements are: Line, line string, multi-line, arc, ellipse, shape, curve, B-spline curve, complex chain, or complex shape.
  • Minimum Between ? Measures the minimum distance between two elements. Can be used in 2D or 3D design or sheet models. Elements are: Line, line string, multi-line, arc, ellipse, shape, curve, B-spline curve, complex chain, or complex shape.
  • Maximum Between ? Measures the maximum distance between two elements. Can be used in 2D or 3D design or sheet models.
Use reference scale Allows users to measure in true model units while in a Sheet model that contains a scaled reference file. This checkbox is off by default.
Flatten Direction Sets how distance measurements are calculated. All report both True and Projected distances. A True distance is the "real-world" distance. It is not affected by the Flatten Direction mode, but depending on the ACS could be affected by ACS Plane (see Locks dialog). If you want to measure the distance between referenced elements considering the reference scale, you need to set the ACS scale same as the reference scale and turn on the ACS Plane lock. The Projected distance is in the XY plane and is affected by the Flatten Direction mode. In the case of 2D models, projected distance is useful when measuring distances between elements in the 2D model and a 3D reference attachment. All modes apply to all model types.
  • None ? (Available only when Perpendicular, Minimum Between, or Maximum Between is selected in the Method setting) The projected distance is the True distance.
  • Flatten to File Z ? (Available only when Between Points or Along Element is selected in the Method setting) The projected distance is relative to the Global Z. Start and Finish coordinates are always reported as true points in the selected model relative to the Global origin.
  • Flatten to View ? The projected distance is relative to the View Z. Coordinates reported are from the Global coordinates relative to the View rotation. Start and Finish points are always projected so the Z value will always be 0. The Z column therefore is not displayed.
  • Flatten to ACS Plane ? The projected distance is relative to the ACS Z. In 3D, Start and Finish points are projected from the XY plane so the Z value will always be 0. The Z column therefore is not displayed. Coordinates reported are about the ACS Z axis / ACS XY plane. In 3D, coordinates reported are projected.
  • Flatten to AccuDraw Plane ? The projected distance is relative to the AccuDraw Z. Coordinates that are reported are the project coordinates about the AccuDraw Z axis. Since the coordinates are projected, the Z value will always be 0. Therefore, you will not see the Z column in the display. The Finish point is 0 in AccuDraw so the Start Point and Delta reports the XY components
  • Geodetic - If the model has an active GCS, distance is measured using the GCS coordinates. The geodetic distance based on the active GCS is projected.
Distance Displays the result of the last measurement. See the Flatten Direction setting above for description of ?True? and ?Projected? distances.
Total (Method set to Between Points only) Displays the total distance measured.
Segment Only (Method set to Perpendicular only) If on, the measurement is constrained to be perpendicular to the selected segment of the element, or the projection of the segment.

If off, the perpendicular measurement is taken from the nearest segment of the selected element.

Start Point Displays the XYZ coordinate values for the start point.
End Point Displays the XYZ coordinate values for the end point.
Delta Displays the distance between the start and end points for each axis.
Slope Displays the slope between the start and the end points.
Height Displays the height between the start and the end points.
Key-in: MEASURE DISTANCE ICON
Key-in: MEASURE DISTANCE [ ALONG | MAXIMUM | MINIMUM | PERPENDICULAR | POINTS | SURFACE ]
Key-in: MEASURE DISTANCE SURFACE