Create 3D Measurements

Measure the Distance Between Two Points

To measure the distance between two points

1. Click Markup & Measure tab Measure Length.
2. On the canvas, place the mouse pointer where you want to begin the measurement and click to set the start point.
3. Optional: Using the ViewCube, the Orbit tool, or any other 3D view tools position the model so you can see where you want to set the measurement end point.

   Click Length again to resume measuring.

4. Place the mouse pointer where you want to end the measurement and click to set the end point.
5. Drag to position the label and click to complete the measurement markup.

   The measurement markup displays the distance between the two points in the chosen format and units. A measurement appears in the Markups palette as “Length: xxx.xxx units”. The Length tool remains active for other measurements.

   TipIf the measurement lines are obscured by an object, the lines are dashed.
6. Optional: Make additional measurements.
7. To stop using the Length tool, press Esc or select another tool.
8. Optional: Click and drag the label along the measurement markup to reposition it.

Measure the Distance from a Point to the Origin of a Coordinate System

To measure the distance from a point to the origin of a coordinate system

1. Optional: In the Markups palette, select the desired UCS to make it active. If no UCS is selected or available, the current coordinate system is used.
2. Click Markup & Measure tab Measure Point Location.
3. On the model, place the mouse pointer where you want to create the point location measurement and click to set the point.
   TipTo view the measurement value without adding a measurement markup, press Esc to cancel the point location measurement.
4. Drag the label to the desired location and click to place the label.

   The measurement markup displays the distance of the point from the selected coordinate system in the chosen format and units. A measurement appears in the Markups palette as “Location: X: xxx.xxx units Y: xxx.xxx units Z: xxx.xxx units”. The Point Location tool remains active for other measurements.

   TipIf the measurement lines are obscured by an object, the lines are dashed.
5. Optional: Make additional measurements.
6. To stop using the Point Location tool, press Esc or select another tool.
7. Optional: Modify the measurement markup label position by clicking and dragging it to a new location.

Measure Distance Along a Direction Defined by an Edge

To measure distance along a direction defined by an edge

1. Click Markup & Measure tab MeasureRelative Distance.
2. Click a model edge, two vertices, or an axis on a coordinate system tripod to set a reference direction for the measurement.
3. On the model, place the mouse pointer where you want to begin the relative measurement and click to set the start point.
4. Optional: Using the ViewCube, the Orbit tool, or any other 3D view tools position the model so you can see where you want to set the measurement end point.

   Click Relative Distance again to resume measuring.

5. Place the mouse pointer where you want to end the measurement and click to set the end point.
6. Drag to position the label and click to complete the measurement markup.

   The measurement markup displays the distance between the two points, relative to the set reference point in the chosen format and units. A measurement appears in the Markups palette as “Relative Length: xxx.xxx units”. The Relative Distance tool remains active for other measurements.

   TipIf the measurement lines are obscured by an object, the lines are dashed.
7. Optional: Make additional measurements.
8. To stop using the Relative Distance tool, press Esc or select another tool.
9. Optional: Click and drag the label along the measurement markup to reposition it.

Measure the Length/Radius of an Object

The Length/Radius tool can measure the length of a line, the radius of an arc, or the diameter of a circle.

To measure the length of a line, radius of an arc, or diameter of a circle

1. Click Markup & Measure tab Measure Length/Radius.
2. On the model, place the mouse pointer over the object to be measured:
   • Click a line to measure its length.
   • Click an arc to measure its radius.
   • Click the center of a circle to measure its diameter.
3. Optional: Using the ViewCube, the Orbit tool, or any other 3D view tools position the model so you can see where you want to place the label.

   Click Length/Radius again to resume measuring.

4. Drag to position the label and click to complete the measurement markup.

   The measurement markup displays the measurement in the chosen format and units. A measurement appears in the Markups palette as “Length: xxx.xxx units”, “Radius: xxx.xxx units”, or “Diameter: xxx.xxx units”. The Length/Radius tool remains active for other measurements.

   TipIf the measurement lines are obscured by an object, the lines are dashed.
5. Optional: Make additional measurements.
6. To stop using the Length/Radius tool, press Esc or select another tool.
7. Optional: Click and drag the label along the measurement markup to reposition it.

Measure a 3D Angle

The angle being measured depends on where you position the label. For example, when measuring a simple right angle, if the label is inside the angle, the measurement is 90°. However, if the label is outside the angle, the measurement is 270°.

To measure a 3D angle

1. Click Markup & Measure tab Measure Angle.
2. On the model, place the mouse pointer over the line or plane where you want to begin the measurement and click to set the first, or starting point.
3. Optional: Using the ViewCube, the Orbit tool, or any other 3D view tools position the model to show other areas of the model that you may want to include in the measurement.

   Click Angle again to resume measuring.

4. Place the mouse pointer over the line or plane where you want to end the measurement and click to set the end point.
   NoteIf the measurement lines are obscured by an object, the lines are dashed.
5. Drag to position the label. The location of the label determines which angle is measured.
6. Click to complete the measurement markup.

   The measurement markup displays the angle in the chosen format and units. A measurement appears in the Markups palette as “Angle: xxx.xxx units”. The Angle tool remains active for other measurements.

7. Optional: Make additional measurements.
8. To stop using the Angle tool, press Esc or select another tool.
9. Optional: Click and drag the label to select a different, associated angle.