Measure the distance between a cylinder face and a flat face

[Anonymous]

I created a cam roller that is mounted to a flat plate.  I want to know how far the surface of the roller is from the closest edge of the part it is mounted to.  When I try to measure it and select the cylinder surface and the flat surface, I do not get the correct length.  Can I change what is measured to see what I want?  I would prefer not to have to create any extra geometry.

Thanks!

[asiteur]

I must say that you could have provided a clearer picture, but from what I see it would be sufficient to measure the distance between the edges. Hence clicking on the circle edge first and then on the straight edge. It will then show a blue line from edge to edge.

If the edges are not in the same plane, watch the Delta X, Y, Z in the measurement window.

If your measurement task is more complicated than this, you probably need to create workplanes before you can measure.

Hope this helps!

[mcgyvr]

Just take 2 measurements (X and Y) and subtract to get your distance (Z).. 

Or place a view in a drawing and just dimension to get the Z

[admaiora]

Hi Ronald,

at the moment you can do this.

Here an idea to improve the tool (i want this too.)

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/multi-measures-and-calculator-tool/idi-p/5124776

[admaiora]

Ops.

I didn't  see the @mcgyvr answer. 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, when I pick the edges is just gives me the shortest distance between them.  I am looking for something different.  Thanks for the help though.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like I have to create geometry or do extra steps to get what I want.  Not the answer I had hoped for.

The image below is what I was used to and had hoped I could do something similar.  You thought the last picture looked bad, sorry in advance.  Basically, when I pick the two faces, I am given the option to chose center points or surfaces.  It defaults to surfaces, so the operation takes three clicks and I never leave my work flow. The dx in this case is what I am looking for.

Thanks @asiteur, @mcgyvr and @admaiora for the tips and suggestions.  They are all work arounds.  I am going to upvote the idea.