MICROSTATION MEASURING

The measuring tools are found in Analyze > Measure.

Measure Distance

Between points

To measure a distance, set the Method to “Between Points” and click two points on the screen.

As additional points are selected, the distance between each set of points displayed in Distance (think of this like “last distance measured”). The overall total is added together and displayed in Total.

Along Element

Select the element to measure along.

Click on a point on the element to begin the measurement at this point.

As you move the cursor, the distance along the element is highlighted. You can use snap points to define an exact location.

Perpendicular

The Perpendicular method gives a distance at exactly 90º to the element selected. This can be very useful for measuring from complex chains.

You can fix Perpendicular to measure only from a specific segment by using the “Segment Only” tick box. Turn this on before you select the element and you will only be able to measure from the segment of the element you select:

Minimum Between

Measures the minimum distance between two elements.

Maximum Between

Checks the maximum distance between the two most distant points on two elements.

In the example below, it will not report the distance between the two left-hand ends of the line, which you might expect, but measures the absolute maximum between the end points.

Flatten Direction

The Flatten Direction setting is useful when measuring 3D information. It adjusts the projected distance based to report true distances or orthogonal distances. In the example below the measured length of the inclined beam is reported “flat”, relative to the active ACS:

Measure Radius

Reports the radius and diameter of an arc or circle. If the arc is elliptical, the primary and secondary axes’ values will be shown; for a normal arc these will remain blank.

Measure Angle

Measures the minimum angle between two lines or segments. The angle will be measured depending on where along the element you select, as highlighted in the two examples below:

Measure Area

Element

Reports the area of an element.

You can change the unit of measurement for area or perimeter by changing the tool settings:

If multiple elements are selected before picking Measure Area, the total of all shapes is added to the Area, but Perimeter is reported as “Not Available”.

Note: Measuring multiple elements requires you to click on the screen to accept the selection. When you do this, Measure Area will close, so to review the values, you will need to select the Measure Area tool again.

Changing the Method allows you to measure specific areas of elements without having to draw additional elements.

Intersection

Selects the area that “overlaps” two or more shapes.

To select more than two, hold the Ctrl key down as you click on the elements.

Union

Joins two or more shapes.

Difference

Measures the area of the first shape you select then subtracts any additional shapes that you pick.

Flood          

Measures an area enclosed by any elements. You can adjust the tolerance value to allow for gaps.

Points

Allows you to draw a polygon to measure the area.