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Manual / Interface & settings

Measuring and inquiry (DIST, AREA, LIST)

Measure distance, angle, area, radius and point coordinates, and summarise a drawing with DIST, AREA, ID, LIST and STATUS.

What it does

These commands report sizes and information without changing the drawing. The results appear in the prompt bar and the command line history.

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Draw › Measurement › Measure ▾ (Distance, Angle, Radius, Area, Coordinates) and Area
  • Ribbon: Manage › Drawing Cleanup › Drawing Status

Commands

Command Alias Meaning
DIST DI Click 2 points to see the distance, angle, dX and dY.
AREA AA The area and perimeter of the selected closed objects (you can combine several).
ID – Click a point to see its X and Y coordinates.
MEASUREGEOM MEA MEASUREGEOM <Distance|Angle|Area|Radius> combines the measure modes. Angle = click the vertex, then the two arms. Radius = the radius, diameter and circumference of the selected circle.
LIST LI The number and type of the selected objects.
DBLIST – Counts every object in the drawing by type, and the number of layers.
STATUS – A summary of the drawing: the number of objects of each type, the number of layers, dimensions and the current layer.
TIME – The time the drawing has been open, the time used in this session and the number of edits.

Steps: measure the distance between holes

  1. Type DI and press Enter.
  2. Click the centre of the first hole (Object Snap picks the Center).
  3. Click the centre of the second hole.
  4. Read the result in the prompt bar, for example DIST: 223.6068 angle 26.57° dX 200.0000 dY 100.0000.

DIST result between two holes
DIST result between two holes

Steps: find an area

  1. Select a closed shape (rectangle, circle, closed polyline or region).
  2. Type AREA and press Enter. The result reads, for example, AREA: 1963.4954 sq units, perimeter 157.0796 (1 profile(s)).

AREA, LIST and STATUS results on the command line
AREA, LIST and STATUS results on the command line

Note: The Properties palette also shows the Area and Perimeter of the selected closed object, in the Measured section.

Try it: How much flooring for an L-shaped living room?

Before you order laminate, you need the floor area and the skirting length. Measure an L-shaped living room with AREA, DIST and CAL.

  1. Draw the room: choose Polyline - Closed Loop, type 0,0 5000,0 5000,3000 2500,3000 2500,4500 0,4500, then press Enter.
  2. Click the outline and type AREA. It reports AREA: 18750000.0000 sq units, perimeter 19000.0000 (1 profile(s)), which is 18.75 m² with a 19 m perimeter.
  3. Add 10% for cutting waste: type CAL 18.75*1.1. The answer is 20.625 m² to order.
  4. Will a 5.8 m sofa fit diagonally? Type DI, then 0,0 Enter and 5000,3000 Enter. The Prompt bar shows DIST: 5830.9519 angle 30.96°.

L-shaped living room, 18.75 m², with the 5830.95 diagonal
L-shaped living room, 18.75 m², with the 5830.95 diagonal

Challenge: The real skirting length is the perimeter minus the door. Try CAL 19000-900 for a 900 door.

See also