MeasureDistance

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:

1. Position the cursor where you want to start measuring then click or press Enter.
2. Move the cursor to the required end point then click or press Enter again. As you move the cursor, a measuring line is displayed as an aid.
3. 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 design space, 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.
4. Continue measuring the distance between other points or right-click or press Esc to exit measurement mode.
5. To clear previous measurements from the design space, press Shift+C.

Notes

• Change the snap grid if you cannot accurately position the cursor at the required points.
• You may need to temporarily disable the Electrical Grid if you find that the cursor snaps to the center of electrical objects.
• The visual results (measurement lines) for each measurement remain displayed in the design space until cleared by using the Shift+C keyboard shortcut.
• 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 design space.
• Measurement information is also presented, dynamically, in the Heads-Up Display.
• To copy the contents of the Measure Distance dialog to Windows Clipboard, press Ctrl+C when the dialog is open.
• After selecting a start point, hold the Alt key to constrain movement to the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction depending on the initial direction of movement.

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:

1. Position the cursor over the first primitive then click or press Enter.
2. Move the cursor to the required second primitive then click or press Enter again.
3. The Clearance dialog will open, 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 design space, 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.
4. Continue measuring the distance between other primitives or right-click or press Esc to exit measurement mode.
5. To delete measurements from the design space, click Shift+C.

Notes

• 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, etc.).
• The visual results (measurement lines) for each measurement remain displayed in the design space until cleared by using the Shift+C keyboard shortcut.
• 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 design space.
• To copy the contents of the Clearance dialog to Windows Clipboard, press Ctrl+C when the dialog is open.