When you begin Part Editing, the selected part will open for editing in the main window. The Status Bar information in conjunction with the tools property sheet is used for accurate placement and measurement.

In this discussion, we will create drill holes using the Multibore tool in conjunction with an End Left part of a Floor cabinet displayed in machining view in the main window. Then we will determine:-

• the Start and End coordinates using the Model information on the Status bar;
• the distance and angle using the Dist information on the Status bar;
• What Is Delta?
• how to move points using movement tools including the Precise Movement dialog.

Start and End Coordinates

In this example we will discuss the Model information in the Status Bar.

• Click on a tool - in this example the Multibore tool -
  • Remember to first Unlock and you may need to double click on the tool to open the Property Inspector.
• Start measurement by clicking at applicable start point on the part.
  
  • The Model X,Y coordinate on the status bar is 1mm,0mm (this caters for the 1mm edging)
    • this corresponds with the Start Point on the Property Inspector

    Example of Start measurement

    When you hover over the part, the results are shown interactively.

    

• End measurement by moving/dragging your cursor to the end point on the part and releasing.
  
  • The Model X,Y coordinate on the status bar is 1mm,730mm
    • corresponds with the End Point on the Property Inspector
    • Overall length is confirmed in the Geometry box and on the Status Bar (Dist:730mm) with additional detail of the angle i.e. 90degree (discussed next).

  

Distance and Angle

For this example, we create a diagonal line. (Click on 'Revert' to clear previous dimensioning).

• Click on a tool - in this example the Multibore tool -
  • Remember to first Unlock and you may need to double click on the tool to open the Property Inspector.
• Start measurement by clicking at applicable start point on the part.
  
  • The Model:X,Y coordinates on the status bar is 1mm,0mm (this caters for the 1mm edging) and corresponds with the Start Point on the Property Inspector.
• End measurement by again moving/dragging your cursor to the end point on the part and releasing.
  
  • The Model:X,Y coordinates on the status bar is 544mm,730mm and corresponds with the End Point on the Property Inspector.
  • The Distance on the status bar shows an accurate measurement of 909.8mm (confirmed in the Geometry box on the Property Inspector)
  • The Angle is shown as 53.4deg.
  

  Click to view more on Angle and the standard convention used 

What Is Delta

In the example above, we are measuring the part from bottom LH corner to top RH corner. The vector movement is given as a distance of 909.8mm at an angle of 53.4 degrees.

But it can also be expressed as a movement of 543mm in the X direction then 730mm in the Y direction. The X and Y movements are two sides of the right angle triangle shown and the diagonal of that triangle is the direct movement distance.

This sometimes makes it easier to view the distance you actually want to know.

For example if you have two parallel vertical lines you can click anywhere on the first, followed by anywhere on the second, and you will always get the same delta in the X direction (but different Y deltas) where the delta X is the distance between the two lines. Similarly, you can look at delta Y for the constant distance between two parallel horizontal lines.

Movement and Precise Movement Input dialogs

There a number of ways to Move points but first you must click on the 'Select' command and the Unlock commands.

Then you can click on hole/s you want to move and...

1. Click and drag to size (relevant dimensions are displayed in real time as you move the mouse);
   or
2. Use the Insert > Movement tools including Quick Lengths;
   or
3. Precise Movement Input dialog to manually type in a dimension (open with the keyboard dot  ).

Click here for discussion on the three ways to move points

Video

This video tutorial discusses how to use the Quick Lengths tool and the Precision keyboard dot to chamfer or fillet the corner of a machine part. [3:02 mins]