A proper measure distance tool

[guido77]

Hi there,

Measure distance and tape tools in 3DS Max are outdated. There should be something similar to Autocad or Sketchup.

Regarding "Measure distance" command:
1- Once you activate the command, there's no way to toggle snap. You need to cancel first, choose snap, and then execute "Measure distance" command. This is really bad.

2- Second, once you clicked on the first point, if you move the viewport the line moves with it. The line should stay on the object regardless of how you move around.
3- The measurement shows up down below in the mini maxscript window. It should show directly on the viewport, on top of the line.

Regarding "tape measure":
1- it stays on the viewport like an object. Fine, maybe someone needs this. But...

2- Again the distance doesn't show on the line itself.

Please, update it and just make it simple, with the dimension showing on the viewport, no dashed lines (solid and bold), clearly showing the first selected point, able to move around on the viewport after selecting the first point, and being able to choose the type of snap after clicking on the first point.

Thank you!

[guido77]

A clarification:

What I meant with this:

"Regarding "tape measure":

1- it stays on the viewport like an object."

Is that you're basically creating an object that doesn't go away when you're done measuring. In other softwares you right click and the command is over. There's no reason for a measuring tool to stay in the scene as an object most of the times.

[dswahn]

I suggest at least create something similar to a measurement tool I made myself. It does not create any objects in the scene, but it will show each measured distance and the sum of multiple ones above the cursor. All picked points are world-space coordinates and the lengths are printed to the listener for convenience. Various modes can lock the measurement axis for non-parallel points. Change of snap can be made while measuring.

I use this tool all the time and I find it invaluable when doing precision work. I hope it can inspire someone.

[darawork]

Hi, while I agree that the Tape Measure needs to be updated, sometimes having it remain in the scene as an object can be very handy. I use it to quickly align or rotate the Reference Coordinate System. In the dropdown, at the end, there is a 'pick...' option. Picking a Tape Measure works in this regard.

[Mr.Mxyzptlk]

Even a minor display upgrade would be welcomed. Maybe when selected it brings it to the top. As you can see here I have it selected and it's not showing over the spline. Meanwhile randomly, the non selected one is showing. Everything is at zero on Z.

[guido77]

I've been using the one by DesignToolBox pretty much since I posted this request and it's great. So, this is a recommendation or a request to AD to copy it. 🙂