Blockpad - UseMeasurementScaleTool

UseMeasurementScaleTool

Tool

The Use Measurement Scale property controls whether new geometry is created with the measurement scale when typing in coordinates or lengths.

Inserting geometry by typing coordinates

When inserting geometry objects, you can type in coordinates to specify the location of the points, instead of clicking. For some objects, you can also type in values to specify other things, like length for lines or radius for circles. These values default to inches if no unit is specified, but any number with a length unit can be used.

Scale ruler vs normal ruler

When Use Measurement Scale is on, the numbers typed in are interpreted based on the measurement scale. If you think of the canvas as a piece of physical paper with the size specified by canvas size, then Use Measurement Scale is like using a scale ruler to draw points and lines, instead of a normal ruler. So, if the measurement scale is 5, then lines drawn by typing in the length will be 5 times shorter if Use Measurement Scale is on.

Example

Say the measurement scale is 10 and Use Measurement Scale is on. If you start a line and type in 20 in, the line will be 20 inches when measured by a dimension label, but it will be 2 inches long if printed and measured with a normal ruler (if the canvas scale is set to 1).

Turn Use Measurement Scale on or off:

While in a 2D canvas, click Use Measurement Scale in the toolbar.

Another option:

In the toolbar, select Draw>Use Measurement Scale.

Notes:

Numbers typed in for coordinates are treated as inches if no unit is specified, but any number with length units works: 2.3 ft, 512 mm, 0.001 mile, etc.