Is it possible to show dimensions of a face instantly?

blenblen · 14 Oct 2011, 12:44

Is there a way to see the dimensions of face instantly without having to use the tape measure? I can see the dimensions of a face in cm2 in the entity info box but I would like to see to see to width and length of a face. It's a very basic feature but doesn't seem to exist in SketchUp which surprises me. Perhaps there is a plugin that can do this?

Any help much appreciated.

mwm5053 · 14 Oct 2011, 14:38

You can see dimensions of face in VCB box or now called measurements box if you have it showing. but only while your drawing the face. you can also enter dim. in that box separated by a , but maybe u knew that already.

pilou · 14 Oct 2011, 14:55

If you click on 1 edge you will have length on the Entity Info
If you click on 2 edges with ctrl you will have the total length on the Entity Info

Maybe exist a plug for that, I don't remember of it

You have Getdimension who gives dimension of one component
(not tested)

driven · 14 Oct 2011, 15:13

did you look closer to home...http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=323&t=28842#p250487
john

blenblen · 14 Oct 2011, 15:19

Thx Pilou,

I didn't know that if you click on an edge it shows it's length in the Entity Info panel, that's quite helpful.
I installed the get dimensions plugin you mentioned which is also quite handy, especially for grouped objects.

mwm5033.
Yes I understand how the measurements box works but like you say, it only shows the dimensions of an object when you're drawing it. I was looking for an easy way to see the dimensions of my objects without having to use the tape measure tool. The click on edge trick works quite good although it's not ideal imo. It would better if you could customize the Entity Info panel to your liking.

Thx again for the replies!

Jean Lemire · 14 Oct 2011, 17:57

Hi Blenblen, hi folks.

Have you looked at the Dimension tool ?

If you are still using the "Large Tool Set", I suggest that you hide it and show all of the others. Use View Menu --> Toolbar to access them. You must enable them one by one. These sets when combined are offer much more tools than the "Large Tool Set".

Just ideas.

Wo3Dan · 14 Oct 2011, 20:55

@blenblen said:

Is there a way to see the dimensions of face instantly without having to use the tape measure? ......I would like to see to see to width and length of a face. ...

What is the width and length of a slanted/rotated face somewhere in 3D?
Only rectangles might be tackled this way. And even rectangles do not exist right after you created them. It's just a face with four edges that happen to run parallel.

See if the 'Query' tool helps you out to quickly get some extra information about geometry like face area / length of bounding edges / .....
See SU's menu Tool > Utilities > enable 'Query' tool.
Better is to create a shortcut to this tool for instant use.

Anssi · 15 Oct 2011, 08:08

If you have SU Pro you can draw a rectangular face and make it into a component. Then add the LenX and LenY attributes to it in the Component Attributes dialog, and make them visible (and user editable, if you wish). Now you can use the Scale tool or the Component Options dialog to change its dimensions, and the dimensions are visible in the Component Options dialog box. The simplest possible Dynamic Component.

Anssi

blenblen · 18 Oct 2011, 11:55

The Query tool tip is very useful. I couldn't find it at first but saw that I had to activate it in my extensions panel first ; ). The good thing is that it's in realtime and I do not have to select an object or ungroup it. I set up a shortcut for it which works great.

Thx Wo3Dan!