Measure Distance
- Last UpdatedAug 14, 2025
- 4 minute read
Measures the distance between two points without having to calculate it.
You are prompted to select two points on the 3D view. When the points have been selected the 3D view displays the following information:
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The straight line distance between the two selected points.
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The direction of the line between the selected points, the coordinates are given with respect to the point of origin.
The measured distance displays using the current default units. Refer to Units for further information.
The measured distance can be displayed using the world or local coordinate system. Refer to Local Coordinate System for further information.
Select the required object snap options before picking each point. Refer to Object Snaps and P-line Filters for further information.
Functionality is available to lock the position fields on the context editor by pressing the spacebar in the currently selected position field.
Functionality is available to measure a distance using a working plane projection by selecting a plane on the PowerCompass™.
You are prompted to Specify the first point
Input values in the dimension fields and press Enter or click to identify the first point position.
You are then prompted to Specify the second point or
Input values in the dimension fields and press Enter or click to identify the second point. position.
The distance value displays in the 3D view and the context editor.
Press the down arrow key and select Finish to end the command.
Throughout the measure process you can press ESC to cancel the command. Additional functionality is also available.
You can press the Spacebar to cancel the command. Press the Spacebar again to activate a new measure distance process.
You are prompted to Specify the first point
Alternatively, you can activate the measure distance functionality by using an in canvas command. Type DI and press Enter.
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Back |
Press the down arrow key and select Back to undo the last action. |
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Axes distance |
Press the down arrow key and select Axes distance to turn the axes display on or off in the 3D view. |
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Change unit |
Press the down arrow key and select Change unit to display the available units of measure. |
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Direction |
Press the down arrow key and select Direction to copy the direction measurement between the two selected points to the clipboard. The coordinates are given with respect to the origin element. |
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Distance |
Press the down arrow key and select Distance to copy the straight line distance measurement between the two selected points to the clipboard. |
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Offset E |
If the current coordinate format is ENU, press the down arrow key and select Offset E to copy the offset east distance measurement between the two selected points to the clipboard.The coordinates are given with respect to the origin element. If the current coordinate format is XYZ, Offset X is displayed. If the current coordinate format is the local coordinate system, Offset U is displayed. |
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Offset N |
If the current coordinate format is ENU, press the down arrow key and select Offset N to copy the offset north distance measurement between the two selected points to the clipboard.The coordinates are given with respect to the origin element. If the current coordinate format is XYZ, Offset Y is displayed. If the current coordinate format is the local coordinate system, Offset V is displayed. |
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Offset U |
If the current coordinate format is ENU, press the down arrow key and select Offset U to copy the offset up distance measurement between the two selected points to the clipboard.The coordinates are given with respect to the origin element. If the current coordinate format is XYZ, Offset Z is displayed. If the current coordinate format is the local coordinate system, Offset W is displayed. |
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Finish |
Press the down arrow key and select Finish to end the command. |
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Current units |
Press the down arrow key and select Current units to display the measured distance in the current default units. |
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Mm |
Press the down arrow key and select Mm to display the measured distance in millimeters. |
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Cm |
Press the down arrow key and select Cm to display the measured distance in centimeters. |
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Metre |
Press the down arrow key and select Metre to display the measured distance in meters. |
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Km |
Press the down arrow key and select Km to display the measured distance in kilometers. |
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Thou |
Press the down arrow key and select Thou to display the measured distance in thou. |
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Finch |
Press the down arrow key and select Finch to display the measured distance in feet and inches. |
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Inch |
Press the down arrow key and select Inch to display the measured distance in inches. |
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Ft |
Press the down arrow key and select Ft to display the measured distance in feet. |
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Yd |
Press the down arrow key and select Yd to display the measured distance in yards. |
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Mile |
Press the down arrow key and select Mile to display the measured distance in miles. |
The measured distance displays in the 3D view.
