PCB_Cmd-MeasureDistanceMeasureDistance_AD

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to measure and display the distance between any two points in the current document.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor and the PCB Library Editor, by:

• Choosing the Reports » Measure Distance command from the main menus.
• Using the Ctrl+M keyboard shortcut.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair, and you will enter measurement mode. Measurement is performed as follows:

• Position the cursor to where you wish to start measuring and click, or press Enter.
• Move the cursor to the required end point and click, or press Enter again. As you move the cursor, a measuring line is displayed as an aide.
• The Measure Distance dialog will appear, reporting the point-to-point distance measured, the X (horizontal) distance, and the Y (vertical) distance, in both metric (mm) and imperial (mil) units. The measurement is also displayed visually within the workspace, showing the measurement's X, Y, and direct distances. The direct (shortest) distance is shown in yellow, with the X and Y distances in light blue. The measurement is also entered as an entry in the Messages panel.
• Continue measuring the distance between other points, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit measurement mode.

Tips

1. Change the snap grid if you cannot accurately position the cursor at the required points.
2. You may need to temporarily disable the Electrical Grid if you find that the cursor snaps to the center of electrical objects.
3. The visual results (measurement lines) for each measurement remain displayed in the workspace until cleared, either by using the Shift+C keyboard shortcut, or by clicking the Clear button at the bottom-right of the main design window.
4. Double-click on a measurement result in the Messages panel to cross-probe to that measurement, and have its measurement lines displayed again in the workspace.
5. Measurement information is also presented, dynamically, in the Heads-Up Display.

Applied Parameters: Primitives=True

Summary

This command is used to measure and display the distance between any two primitives in the current document.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor and the PCB Library Editor, by choosing the Reports » Measure Primitives command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair, and you will enter measurement mode. Measurement is performed as follows:

• Position the cursor over the first primitive and click, or press Enter.
• Move the cursor to the required second primitive and click, or press Enter again.
• The Clearance dialog will appear, reporting the clearance between the two primitives, in both metric (mm) and imperial (mil) units. The dialog also contains information on the layer and location for each of the primitives. The measurement is also displayed visually within the workspace, showing the measurement's X, Y, and direct distances. The direct (shortest) distance is shown in yellow, with the X and Y distances in light blue. The measurement is also entered as an entry in the Messages panel.
• Continue measuring the distance between other primitives, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit measurement mode.

Tips

1. This command only measures the distance between primitive design objects and as such, you will not be able to include group objects in your measurements (e.g. components, dimensions, coordinates, etc).
2. The visual results (measurement lines) for each measurement remain displayed in the workspace until cleared, either by using the Shift+C keyboard shortcut, or by clicking the Clear button at the bottom-right of the main design window.
3. Double-click on a measurement result in the Messages panel to cross-probe to that measurement, and have its measurement lines displayed again in the workspace.