Helpful Tips: Measuring distance between faces (or any two points)

[AndyPoulsen]

We recently had a request for information on how to measure the distance or offset between planar faces in Modeling (though these tips really apply for measuring the distance between any two points). 

Here is a simple video (about 4 1/2 minutes) that shows a few different options, including one tip showing how to get the X, Y, and Z components AND the overall length between the points using a single operation!

https://youtu.be/_4dmHQe5mlk

I hope this is useful for some of you! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

andy

[SavaS]

Thanks for this! 

I have one question. Is it possible to quickly measure the distance between the axes of two parallel cylinders? It seems there is no such  option....

[highway45]

You could take the option "point to point" and catch the center points.

If not in same height you could set a working plane and make help lines with "section".

[SavaS]

 I found some option -   something similar of what you describe. 

[Kotom-Eng]

You don't need any workplane. Simply select "Distance of Surf to Surf". It works even if the cylinders are not parallel.

[SavaS]

But I want to fast measure the distance between axis of cylinders and not the distance between surfaces of cylinders. 

[Kotom-Eng]

I admit that you have to add to the "Distance of Surf to Surf" the radii of the cylinders.

[Kotom-Eng]

If you are sure that the bottom of the cylinders are on the same plane, the quickest is "Between Pts" then [CTRL][SHIFT][left click] on the bottom circle of the first cylinder, then [CTRL][SHIFT][left click] on the bottom circle of the second cylinder.

[SavaS]

Aha, [CTRL][SHIFT][left click]!! This was helpful. Thanks!

[AndyPoulsen]

Yes, Ctrl-Shift-LeftClick is a great for catching the center of circular edges (as well as the midpoint of 2d and 3d straight edges -- very useful!)

The AI Intersection command will also give you the distance between cylinder axes (even if the cylinder ends are not in the same plane. When the dialog is asking for an edge or direction, you just hover over the cylinder face, and click to select the axis when you see it highlighted.  After you select the second axis, you'll get a message that the directions are parallel, along with the distance between them. See screenshot below :

[VladimirN]

@AndyPoulsen