Measure Features

Use the Measure tool to measure geometry features including a length, an angle, and the dimensions of a bounding box.

Location: all ribbons, Home group


Click the satellite icon that appears when you hover over the Measure tool to view a list of all measures in your model.

Tip:
  • Measurements persist after you exit the tool, are listed in the Model Browser, and dynamically update when you make changes to the geometry.
  • When you double-click a length measure in the modeling window, it gives you the x, y, z components of the distance vector in the global system.
  • After you run a motion analysis, measures can be plotted to obtain kinematic quantities (displacement, velocity, acceleration). When animating motion results, you can see the displacement measure animate with the model. You can specify a system for a length measure if you want to make your measurements in a non-global coordinate system.
  • If you add a measure after running motion analysis, you'll need to rerun the analysis before you can make a plot for that measure.
  • If you try to plot a measure and velocity or acceleration data is zero, you are probably viewing motion results from a static analysis. Try running a transient analysis instead.

Measure Box

Use the Measure Box tool to measure the dimensions of the bounding box for a selected part or generated shape.

  1. From the Home tools, Measure tool group, click the Measure Box tool.


    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Select the part you want to measure.

    The dimensions of the bounding box are displayed in the modeling window, and will remain until you exit the tool.

Measure Distance

Use the Measure Distance tool to measure the distance between two points.

  1. From the Home tools, Measure tool group, click the Measure Length tool.


    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Click the model to define the start point and end point.
    A line connecting the two points appears and displays a measurement. Dimensions persist after you exit the tool and are dynamically updated as you modify the geometry.

Measure Length

Use the Measure Length tool to measure not only the length of an edge, but also the radius of a circle or an arc, and the diameter or length of a cylinder.

  1. From the Home tools, Measure tool group, click the Measure Length tool.


    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Hover over a feature to display the corresponding dimension.
    • Hover over a straight edge to display the length.

    • Hover over a circle or arc to display the radius.

    • Hover over a cylinder to display the diameter.

  3. Click the feature to create a measurement. Dimensions persist after you exit the tool and are dynamically updated as you modify the geometry.

Measure Angle

Use the Measure Angle tool to measure an angle defined by three points.

The Measure Angle tool can be used to measure angles in the original model or an optimized shape.
  1. From the Home tools, Measure tool group, click the Measure Angle tool.


    Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
  2. Click the model to define three sequential points.
    Note: Selectable points turn red when you hover over them in the modeling window.
    A measurement appears and displays the angle between the three points. Point #2 is the vertex of the angle. Dimensions persist after you exit the tool and are dynamically updated as you modify the geometry.