Use the Measurements tool to display an object’s dimensions. You can display three types of dimensions with Amapi 3D: length, angle, and volume/surface/circumference.
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Dimensions are kept as long as the topology of the object is not modified. If the topology is modified, a message will warn you that the dimensions will be discarded.
Dimensions are saved along with the file and can be accessed during another session.
q Measuring distance
The measurement of the distance between two points is done using the Bullseye.
The distance measured will be the absolute distance between two points, or the distance between their projections on a vertical axis, or the distance between their projections on a horizontal axis.
1. Selecting the Bullseye tool 
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Select the Bullseye selection tool if it is not already active.
There are two ways to do this:
Þ In the sub-palette: Click on the icon depicting the Bullseye.
Or
Þ Using the mouse:
On PC: Click the right mouse button.
On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button.
Repeat this operation until the Bullseye is displayed.
2. Selecting the two points you want to measure the distance between.
Þ Click as close as possible to the point you want to select because the Bullseye tool automatically selects the nearest point.
The first distance displayed is the larger of two possible distances:
¨ Distance between the points’ projections on the vertical axis (in green).
¨ Distance between the points’ projections on the horizontal axis (in red).
Þ Press the spacebar to display the shortest distance.
Þ Press the spacebar again to display the absolute distance (in white).
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Distance between the points’ projections on the vertical axis |
Distance between the points’ projections on the horizontal axis |
Absolute distance between the two points |
3. Positioning the dimension.
Drag the cursor to set the position of the cursor and click the mouse button.
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Practical exercises:
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q Measuring angles
1. Selecting the tool 
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Þ In the sub-palette: Click on the icon depicting the tool.
Or
Þ Using the mouse:
On PC: Click the right mouse button.
On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button.
Repeat this operation until the Measure Angle tool is displayed.
2. Selecting the angle.
Þ Click on the end of a segment of the angle.
Þ Click on the vertex of the angle.
Þ Click on the end of the other segment of the angle.
The angular dimension is displayed near the vertex of the angle.
3. Positioning the dimension.
Drag the cursor to set the position of the cursor and click the mouse button.
q Measuring circumference/volume/surface
1. Selecting the tool 
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Þ In the sub-palette: Click on the icon depicting the tool.
Or
Þ Using the mouse:
On PC: Click the right mouse button.
On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button.
Repeat the operation until the tool is displayed.
2. Selecting the object
Click on the object with this tool to compute:
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If the object is… |
Amapi 3D displays… |
A closed volume |
Þ A volume
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An open volume |
Þ The sum of the openings’ perimeters
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A 3D surface |
Þ The perimeter
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An open or closed curve |
Þ A length |
3. Positioning the dimension.
Drag the cursor to the desired location and click the mouse button.
q Modifying the location of a dimension
1. Selecting the tool 
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Þ In the sub-palette: Click on the icon depicting the tool.
Or
Þ Using the mouse:
On PC: Click the right mouse button.
On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button.
Repeat the operation until the tool is displayed.
2. Select the dimension to move.
Press and hold down the mouse button near the dimension you want to move.
The dimension follows the cursor movements.
3. Positioning the dimension.
Move the cursor to correctly position the dimension, then release the mouse button.
q Deleting a dimension
1. Selecting the tool 
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Þ In the sub-palette: Click on the icon depicting the tool.
Or
Þ Using the mouse:
On PC: Click the right mouse button.
On Mac: Press the Option key and simultaneously click the mouse button.
Repeat this operation until the Lightning cursor is displayed.
2. Selecting the dimension to delete.
Click on the dimension to be deleted.
The dimension disappears and is no longer attached to the scene.
q Deleting all the dimensions
To delete all the dimensions displayed on the screen: Click on the 
icon in the Measurements sub-palette. All the dimensions disappear and are deleted from the current scene.
