How to measure heights in 3D

Measuring heights in 3D can be used to determine the heights of your 3D features such as buildings. Also, vertical height measurements can be extremely useful for performing simple analysis above and below the surface, such as measuring the vertical distance between two points in 3D.

To measure heights, you can use the Measure Height tool on the Measure dialog box. Measuring heights in 3D can be thought of as measuring using an upright ruler where you can drag the measure in a positive or negative direction.

Steps:

1. Click the Measure button on the Tools toolbar.
2. Click the Measure Height button .
3. Click at the location where you want to measure the height in 3D.
4. Move the pointer up or down to measure height (or depth) in 3D.
Moving the pointer sideways widens the reference circle at the end of the line to assist in identifying the top of the 3D height measurement.
The height is displayed on the Measure window.
5. Click again to start a new line for another height measurement.
6. To change your perspective view of the measured height, you can use one of two methods:
   • Press the ESC key once. This freezes the height graphic. You can then press and hold the ALT key to navigate in the scene. Use this method after you are done measuring and want to define the view differently—for example, taking a screen capture. Releasing the ALT key does not return you to the same measure segment. Clicking in the view again will create a new measure sketch.
   • Press and hold the ALT key in the middle of an active height measure to navigate in the scene. Releasing the ALT key will return you to the sketch to continue measuring height. In this instance, you are not pressing ESC to freeze the graphic, so you can return to interacting with it.