Ruler Segment Modes

You can create a ruler using the following segment modes: single, multiple, or auto.

Single Segment Mode

By default, the Create Measurement command creates single-segment rulers. In this mode, when you add two points to the canvas, the corresponding measurement is displayed on the canvas. If Repeat Commands is on, the Create Measurement command continues, else the command completes.

By default, the placement of the measurement is calculated automatically. You can view the placement when you drag the pointer. You have the flexibility to specify the location of the measurement segment either before or after adding the second point.

• If you want to specify the location of the measurement segment before the second point is added to the canvas, move the pointer to the desired location, and then press Ctrl and click the middle mouse button. The location of the measurement segment is now fixed. You can then select the second point.
• If you want to specify the location of the measurement segment after the second point is added to the canvas, press Ctrl and click on the canvas. When you move the pointer, the measurement segment also moves. You need to click on the canvas to fix the location of the measurement segment and end the command.

You can move the measurement segment only if one of the points is snapped to a vertex or an edge.

Single measurement mode supports edge measurement, which allows you to click an edge of an object and a measurement is drawn with the two vertices as the two ends. The vertex of the edge closest to the point where you click is considered as the first vertex, and the other edge is considered as the second vertex. When you move the pointer on the canvas, the measurement also moves. You can then click on the canvas to place the measurement at the desired location.

Edge measurement allows you to measure the width of an edge of an object. The first click lets you select the edge and the second click lets you place the measurement on the canvas. A double-click lets you create and place the edge measurement at the edge itself. When the pointer snaps to a vertex, the edges connected to the vertex get measured.

Edge measurement is available only in single segment mode and works only when smart snapping is on.

Multiple Segment Mode

In multi-segment mode, a segment is added to the ruler with every click on the canvas. If you double-click or press Enter, the last point is added to the ruler and the Create Measurement command completes.

You can create a multi-segment measurement while you are in single-segment measurement mode. In single-segment mode, after the first click, press Shift and then click to add a point to the measurement. Press Shift and click to add subsequent points to the measurement. If you click on the canvas or press Enter, the last point is added to the ruler and the Create Measurement command completes.

Similar to single segment mode, in multi-segment mode, you can place the measurement segment by using the Ctrl and click combination.

Auto Segment Mode

Auto segment mode creates a multi-segment ruler where points are automatically calculated. A ruler is created in auto mode in the following ways:

• Auto ruler is created between two specified points on the canvas.
• Auto ruler is created when you press the Shift key in auto mode. In this case, an orthogonal ruler is created with all edges visible on the canvas in vertical or horizontal direction. The direction of the ruler is based on the edge closest to the pointer.

The Mid Point of Distance, Dynamic Measurement, and Edge Measurement options are not available for auto segment mode in the Create Measurement form.

Related Topics

Rulers

Create Measurement Form

Mouse and Key Actions in Ruler Segment Modes

Ruler Snapping Support

Creating Rulers with Snapping On

Creating Rulers with Smart Snapping Off

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