Ruler and Protractor

Reference

Mode: All Modes
Menu: Tool Shelf ‣ Grease Pencil ‣ Tools:Ruler/Protractor

The ruler is an interactive tool where you can drag lines in the scene to measure distances or angles. Optionally snapping to geometry could be activated for better accuracy or to measure wall thickness. The ruler can be accessed from the Tool Shelf.

../_images/editors_3dview_ruler_example.jpg

Example of the ruler and protractor.

../_images/editors_3dview_ruler_thickness.jpg

Example using the ruler to measure thickness.

Usage

../_images/editors_3dview_ruler_basic.png

Here are common steps for using the ruler:

  1. Activate the Ruler from the Tool Shelf.
  2. Click and drag in the view-port to define the initial start/end point for the ruler.
  3. Orbit the view and click on either end of the ruler to re-position it. Holding Ctrl enables snap to elements.
  4. Click on the middle to measure angles.
  5. Press Return to store the ruler for later use or Esc to cancel.

Note

Editing operations can be used while the ruler is running, however, tools like the knife cannot be used at the same time.

Note

Unit settings and scale from the scene are used for displaying dimensions.

Shortcuts

  • Ctrl-LMB Adds new ruler.
  • LMB Drag end-points to place them, Hold Ctrl to snap, Hold Shift to measure thickness.
  • LMB Drag center-point to measure angles, drag out of the view to convert back to a ruler.
  • Delete Deletes the ruler.
  • Ctrl-C Copies the rulers value to the clipboard.
  • Esc Exit tool.
  • Return Saves the rulers for the next time the tool is activated.