Measuring Tools in Layout?

#1

I am looking for a plugin that allows you to measure things in Layout, much the way you are able to do in Modeler. Any suggestions?

#2

You can add a Null object and apply the Ruler custom object to it. It will default at a base of 1.0. You can then rotat it into position and stretch it to determine the distance to another object. An easier way would be to add the Range Finder custom object to the null. Double clicking on the Range Finder will bring up an interface where you can determine the range to the specific item in question. For example, if you wanted to know the distance to a specific light, just choose the light in the Item requester of the Range Finder properties. Then keyframe the Null at your “From” postion and it will automatically readout the distance to the “To” position (or object). By using two nulls, you can set up an easy measuring system with the Range Finder null acting as your source and the other acting as your destination.

Hope that helps,

Steve

#3

Steve, that was a great tip!
Btw, your book-LightWave 3D [8] Modeling - A Definitive Guide-
will it come soon?

#4

Thanks, Thiger. :slight_smile: The book will be out later this year. Look for a video through Kurv Studios covering most of the same material sometime this summer.

Cheers!

Steve

#5

Oh…thats great! I love videotutorials! For sure I will get both of them! Thats really one thing I want to improve-modeling!

Thank you , Steve!

#6

Well, like I said I am looking for something just like the measuring tools in Modeler, but in Layout. I am not interested in measuring distance as much as I am interested in measuring objects. I am having a scaling issue in layout with some of the object I am loading in from another scene. Therefore the need for a tool.

#7

um…scratches head…why not measure the objects in modeler?

#8

Gotcha. My bad. Well, there’s no measure tool in Layout like there is in Modeler. You can use the technique described above to get the same effect, but if you don’t want to go that route, then you’re best following biliousfrog’s advice and do it in Modeler.

Cheers,

Steve

#9

Yep the only measuring tool that I know of is in modeler.

It’s under Contruct | Utility | Measure | Measure Tool

That will activate the tool and will tell you have far you have dragged after you have clicked on the starting point.

That’s about all I can contribute to this. Hope you get it working.

#10

Yep the only measuring tool that I know of is in modeler.

It’s under Contruct | Utility | Measure | Measure Tool

That will activate the tool and will tell you have far you have dragged after you have clicked on the starting point.

That’s about all I can contribute to this. Hope you get it working.

#11

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