Using the Distance Measurement Tools

Use the Distance Measurement tool to measure distances between two points in 3D scenes and point clouds. The tool supports both distance modes (how distance is calculated) and creation modes (how measurements are placed).

Open the Tool

1. Open the Measurement panel.

2. Select the Distance tool.

Distance Modes

Distance mode controls what component of distance is measured.

• 3D (Unconstrained): True point-to-point distance in 3D.

• Vertical (Z): Vertical-only component.

• Horizontal (XY): Horizontal-only component.

You can cycle distance modes with SHIFT.

Creation Modes

Creation mode controls how you define measurement geometry.

• Standard: Classic two-click measurement (start point, end point).

• Orthogonal: Guided workflow that forces the measurement to remain perpendicular to a user-defined direction line.

Set this in the Measurement tool properties under Creation mode.

Standard Creation Workflow

1. Click the first point (start).

2. Click the second point (end).

3. The measurement is created using the active distance mode.

Orthogonal Creation Workflow

When Creation mode = Orthogonal:

1. Click the first point of the direction line.

2. Click the second point of the direction line.

3. Click the measurement start point.

4. Click the measurement end point.

The final distance segment is constrained to stay perpendicular to the selected direction line.

Reuse Direction (Orthogonal Only)

When Orthogonal mode is active, a Reuse direction toggle is available:

• On: Keep the same direction line for additional measurements.

• Off: Clear the direction line after each completed orthogonal measurement.

Using the Tool in ScanView and 360 Photo Viewer

The Distance Measurement tool can also be used in ScanView and 360 Photo Viewer windows.

• Measurements created in one viewer are shared with the others.

• Creates, updates, and deletes are synchronized between the 3D viewer and ScanView/360 viewer.

• Some measurement features/options may not be available in every viewer mode.

• In 360 Photo Viewer, measurement behavior and precision depend on the quality of photo orientation/alignment metadata.

Note: If 360 orientation data is incomplete or less accurate, measured positions may appear offset compared with the 3D view.

On-Screen Guidance

When the distance tool is active, helper text appears in the tool panel footer to guide the current step (for example, selecting direction points or endpoint selection).

Editing Measurements

• Standard measurements can be edited by dragging endpoints.

• Orthogonal measurements keep their perpendicular constraint when endpoints are edited.

Saving Measurements to the Project

Measurements can be kept as temporary (session) measurements or saved to the project for reuse and collaboration.

• After creating or editing a measurement, use the measurement list/details panel to Save it.

• Saved measurements are persisted with the project and can be reloaded in future sessions.

• You can also update metadata such as label, notes, and tags before or after saving.

• If you delete an unsaved measurement, it is removed from the current session only.

Note: availability of saving can depend on your project permissions.

Exporting Measurement Data

You can export measurement records for reporting or downstream analysis.

• Use the Measurement panel’s Export action.

• Export includes core fields such as measurement type, mode, coordinates, and calculated values (for example distance and bearing where applicable).

• Apply filters (selection, visibility, tags, etc.) before exporting if you only want a subset.

• For orthogonal measurements, exported data may include the stored orthogonal direction definition used to constrain the measurement.

Note: export options and formats may vary by deployment/configuration and user permissions.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• SHIFT: Cycle distance mode.

• ESC: Cancel the current creation/edit step.

• ESC in Orthogonal mode also clears in-progress direction/start selection states.

• If nothing is in progress, ESC deselects/deactivates as usual.

Tips

• Use Orthogonal + Horizontal for consistent perpendicular clearances/offsets in plan view.

• Use Vertical for height and clearance checks.

• Use 3D for true point-to-point line length.