Measure distance between multiple points

You might remember a while ago I told you about a new way to measure geometry in AutoCAD LT 2010 and 2011. MEASUREGEOM is a handy little feature, because it combines a lot of different measurement types and has a nice heads-up display for visual results.

But it turns out that the good old DIST command also includes one of the MEASUREGEOM functions – the ability to measure the distance between multiple points.

(Note: Don’t get DIST confused with DISTANCE. The first is a command; the second is a read-only system variable that stores the last value of the DIST command. Of course, the command alias DI works too.)

After you start DIST, pick your first point, then check out the command line.

Notice there’s an option to enter M, for Multiple. Once you do, you get a bunch more options, including Arcs.

As you continue to select points, whether along lines or around arcs, the running total is displayed on the command line.

Pretty neat, isn’t it?

I’m not sure when this was introduced (I don’t have access to all my old versions today), but it’s at least good through 2010. If someone wants to check an earlier version and let me know the result, I’ll update the post.

Update: Apparently this doesn't work in 2008. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that it doesn't work in 2009 either, that it was put in with the updated Measure Geometry tool in 2010. Again, if you have info to the contrary, just let me know!

Comments

[Trent]

Cool tip. I love your blog. I'm running LT 2008, and this option isn't available. Yet another reason to long for an upgrade . . .

[Joao Santos]

Hi Kate
DIST and AREA have been changed when MEASUREGEOM was launched (V. 2010). As a trainer and writer, since then I always advised to use DIST and AREA instead of MEASUREGEOM, faster, easier and doesn't turn on Dynamic Input.

Joao Santos
QualiCAD manager (ATC)
www.qualicad.com
Trainer, writer and beta tester
Portugal

[Julio Franco]

Hola, soy Guatemalteco, trabajo como dibujante de construcción, tengo problemas para ver estas páginas, pues no hablo ingles ¿sabrás de alguna que esté en español?

[Kate Morrical]

Autodesk ha foros en español aquí: http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Espa%C3%B1ol/ct-p/157 (Google culpa de mi español.) :-)