Measurement between Primitives
The Measurement between Primitives tool calculates geometric measurements between two primitive objects, including various distance metrics and angle measurements. Results can be visualized in the 3D view and exported for documentation.
Accessing the Tool
- Navigate to the Measure tab in the ribbon
- Click the Measurement between Primitives button in the Primitive tools section
Overview
Calculate measurements between two primitive objects. Measurements can also be obtained interactively by selecting a point on the primitive object through picking.
User Interface
Description
Displays: "Calculate measurements between two primitive objects. Measurements can also be obtained interactively by selecting a point on the primitive object through picking."
Primitive Objects
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Primitive 1 | Select the first primitive for measurement |
| Primitive 2 | Select the second primitive for measurement |
Both dropdowns list all primitives in the project. Select one primitive in each to calculate measurements between them.
Measurements Table
Displays calculated measurement results in a name-value table format:
| Measurement | Description |
|---|---|
| Primitive 1 | Name of the first primitive |
| Primitive 2 | Name of the second primitive |
| Primitive 1 type | Type of the first primitive (Sphere, Cylinder, etc.) |
| Primitive 2 type | Type of the second primitive |
| Shortest distance (mm) | Minimum geometric distance between the two primitives |
| Shortest distance points (mm) | P1 and P2 coordinates where shortest distance occurs |
| Shortest surface-to-surface distance (mm) | Minimum distance between primitive surfaces |
| Surface-to-surface distance points (mm) | P1 and P2 coordinates on the surfaces |
| Centroid distance (mm) | Distance between primitive centers |
| Centroid distance points (mm) | Center coordinates of each primitive |
| Distance to picked point (mm) | Distance from a primitive to an interactively picked point |
| Picked point (mm) | Coordinates of the picked point |
| Angle (°) | Angle between primitives (when applicable) |
Display Options
Toggle visibility of measurement visualizations in the 3D view:
| Checkbox | Description |
|---|---|
| Show shortest distance | Display the shortest geometric distance line |
| Show shortest surface-to-surface distance | Display the surface-to-surface distance line |
| Show centroid distance | Display the line connecting centroids |
| Show picked point distance | Display distance to interactively picked point |
| Show angle | Display angle arc visualization |
Toolbar
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
| Export... | Export measurements to a file |
| Copy to Measurements | Copy visible measurements to the Measurements tool |
| Update | Recalculate measurements |
Measurement Types
Shortest Distance
The minimum Euclidean distance between any two points on the primitive geometries. This accounts for the mathematical definition of each primitive.
Surface-to-Surface Distance
For solid primitives, the minimum distance between their outer surfaces. This differs from geometric distance for primitives with finite extent.
Centroid Distance
The distance between the center points (centroids) of the two primitives. For point primitives, this equals the simple point-to-point distance.
Picked Point Distance
Interactive measurement where you click on a primitive to measure the distance from that clicked point to the other primitive.
Use the picked point feature to measure distances from specific locations on primitive surfaces. This is useful for clearance checks and proximity analysis at specific points of interest.
Angle
The angle between primitives is calculated based on their orientation:
- Lines: Angle between line directions
- Planes: Angle between plane normals
- Cylinders/Cones: Angle between axes
- Mixed types: Projection angle where applicable
Workflow
Basic Measurement
- Ensure at least two primitives exist in the project
- Open the Measurement between Primitives tool
- Select Primitive 1 from the first dropdown
- Select Primitive 2 from the second dropdown
- Measurements are calculated and displayed automatically
- Check visualization options to see measurement lines in the 3D view
Interactive Point Picking
- With primitives selected, click on a primitive surface in the 3D view
- The picked point distance is calculated and displayed
- A distance line is drawn from the picked point to the nearest point on the other primitive
Exporting Results
- Calculate measurements between primitives
- Click Export... to save results to a file
- Choose the file location and format
Copying to Measurements
- Enable the measurement visualizations you want to keep
- Click Copy to Measurements
- Distance measurements are converted to standard measurement objects
- These measurements persist and can be included in reports
Use Cases
Clearance Analysis
Measure the minimum distance between components to verify clearance requirements.
Alignment Verification
Compare centroid distances and angles to verify alignment between features.
Deviation Analysis
Measure distances from fitted primitives to reference primitives to quantify deviations.
Anatomical Measurements
Measure distances and angles between anatomical landmarks represented by primitives.
Related Tools
- Primitives — Create primitive objects
- Primitive Fitting — Automatically fit primitives to geometry
- Measurements — Point-based measurements