How to Measure Dimensions in CATIA

Start the Measure Between tool

In the Measure toolbar, click Measure Between. Its icon shows two arrows pointing left and right. The cursor highlights the tool as you select it.

Measure the distance between two planes

Select two planes on the part to measure the minimum distance between them. The Measure Between dialog appears with these values:

• Selection 1 mode: Any geometry
• Selection 2 mode: Any geometry
• Calculation mode: Exact
• Selection 1: Plane in Pad.1...Part1
• Selection 2: Plane in Pad.1...Part1
• Minimum distance: 207.179 mm
• Angle: 0 deg

The measured distance appears in green on the model.

Rotate the model to inspect the measurement

Rotate the 3D model to see the measured distance from another angle. The selected planes and the 207.179 mm measurement stay highlighted. The Measure Between dialog stays open, so you can adjust or confirm the measurement.

Measure the distance between two lines

Select a line on the pocket feature and a line on the pad feature. The dialog updates with these values:

• Selection 1: Line on Pocket.1...Part1
• Selection 2: Line on Pad.1...Part1
• Minimum distance: 318 mm
• Angle: 0 deg

The distance appears in green on the model.

Measure the distance between a line and a surface

Select a line on the pad and a surface on the pad. The dialog updates with these values:

• Selection 1: Line on Pad.1...Part1
• Selection 2: Surface in Pad.1...Part1
• Minimum distance: 48.379 mm
• Angle: 0 deg

The distance appears in green on the model.

Measure the angle between two planes

Select two planes on the part. The dialog updates with these values:

• Selection 1: Plane in Pad.1...Part1
• Selection 2: Plane in Pad.1...Part1
• Minimum distance: 0 mm
• Angle: 139.312 deg

The angle appears in green on the model.

Measure the distance between two planes in a pocket

Select two planes inside the pocket feature. The dialog updates with these values:

• Selection 1: Plane in Pocket.1...Part1
• Selection 2: Plane in Pocket.1...Part1
• Minimum distance: 160 mm
• Angle: 0 deg

The distance appears in green on the model.

Measure the radius and center of a circular edge

Select the arc or circular edge in the pocket feature. The Measure Item dialog appears and shows:

• Radius: 25 mm
• Center point: x = 159 mm, y = 0 mm, z = 0 mm

The radius and center coordinates appear in green on the model.

Analyze the inertia and physical properties of the part

Open the Measure Inertia dialog for the part. The dialog shows these values:

• Volume: 0.005 m^3
• Area: 0.242 m^2
• Mass: 5.277 kg
• Density: 1000 kg/m^3
• Center of gravity: Gx = -4.703 mm, Gy = -3.185 mm, Gz = -1.161 mm
• The inertia matrix and principal moments

The part is highlighted, and the dialog stays visible so you can review or export the results.

Inspect the model from different angles

Rotate and zoom in on the model to examine the geometry and the highlighted features used in the inertia calculation. The Measure Inertia dialog stays open and shows the same values. The circular feature and reference planes are clearly visible, which helps you verify the geometry you selected.

Return to the default view

Rotate or zoom out to return to a standard isometric view of the part. The Measure Inertia dialog is still open. The part, reference planes, and highlighted features remain visible for a final review.

Close the Measure Inertia dialog

Click OK or Cancel, as appropriate, to close the Measure Inertia dialog. The workspace returns to the standard CATIA V5 environment with the part and reference planes visible. The Sketch-Based Features, Dress-Up Features, Reference Elements, and Measure toolbars remain accessible.