Tape Measure Tool

Use the Tape Measure Tool to measure distances, create guide lines or points, or scale a model. Activate the Tape Measure Tool from the Construction Toolbar or the Tools menu.

Keyboard Shortcut: T

Measuring Distance

The Tape Measure Tool is primarily used to measure distances between two points. To measure a distance between two points:

1. Select the Tape Measure Tool. The cursor changes to a tape measure.
2. Click at the starting point of your measurement. Use the inferencetooltip to make sure you click on the exact point.
3. Move the cursor in the direction you want to measure. A temporary measuring tape line, with arrows at each end, will stretch out from your starting point as you move the mouse. The Tape Measure Tool's measuring tape line functions like an inference line and will change color to match axes colors when it is parallel to any axes. The VCB dynamically displays the length of your measuring tape as you move the mouse around your model.

Note - Press the Esc key at any point during the operation to start over.

4. Click at the ending point of your measurement. The final distance is displayed.

Tip - You can also click and hold on the starting point of the distance you wish to measure, drag the mouse to the endpoint of the measurement, and release the mouse to obtain a measurement.

Creating guide lines and guide points

guide line entities and guide point entities are useful for drawing precisely. To create an infinite parallel guide line using the Tape Measure Tool:

1. Select the Tape Measure Tool. The cursor changes to a tape measure.
2. Click on a line that will be parallel to the guide line, to set the starting point of your measurement. You must click on an "On Edge" or "Midpoint" point between the start and end points in the line segment.

Note - Start from an "On Edge" point inference and move across a face to generate an infinite parallel guide line. Start from an "Endpoint" to create a finite guide line with a guide point at the end.

3. Move the cursor the direction you want to measure. A temporary measuring tape line and a guide line will stretch out from your starting point.

4. Click again at the point where you want to set your guide line. The final distance is displayed in the VCB.

Tip - Starting from an endpoint or midpoint results in a guide point.

Scaling an Entire Model

You can rescale your model to a more precise dimension during the modeling process by specifying the desired dimension between two points using the Tape Measure Tool. This line is referred to as the reference line. To scale an entire model:

1. Select the Tape Measure Tool. The cursor changes to a tape measure.
2. Click one end of a line segment to set the starting point of a measurement. Use the inferencetooltip to make sure you click on the exact point.
3. Move the mouse to the end point of the same line segment. A temporary measuring tape line, with arrows at each end, will stretch out from your starting point as you move the mouse.
4. Click again at the other end of the line segment. The final distance is displayed in the VCB.
5. Enter a new size for the line in the VCB and press the Enter key. This size will be used as the basis for a proportional rescale of your model. The following dialog box appears.

6. Click the Yes button. The model will be rescaled proportionally.

Note - Only components that are created within the current model (not dragged from the Component Browser and loaded from an external component file) can be resized.

Specifying Precise Distance Values

The VCB displays the distance that a guide line is from the starting point. Specify a different distance simply by typing it in the VCB. Specify a negative length to draw the line in the direction opposite the one indicated.

Locking a Line to a Specific Inference Direction

Press and hold either the up arrow, left arrow, or right arrow keys, where up arrow equals blue, left arrow equals green, and right arrow equals red, while measuring to lock a specific axis.