Distance

The Info->Distance command is available in all modules except Tools. It allows you to measure the distance (in SOFTIMAGE units) between any two points on one or more objects. This command is especially useful in calculating depth fading, layer fog, and near and far plane calculations involving the camera.

You can start and end from the following three anchor points:

• A point in 3D space
• A control point
• A centre

For example, you can measure the distance from one vertex to another, from an object's centre to any reference point or vertex, between two objects' centres, and so on.

You can drag the second reference point around, and the distance is automatically updated in the status line. This allows you to compare relative distances interactively.

Procedure

1. Choose the Info->Distance command.
2. Pick the first and second point (vertex), following the instructions in the mouse status line:

• Left mouse button picks a vertex. The vertex picked is the closest one to the mouse click.
• Middle mouse button picks a location anywhere.
• Right mouse button ends the mode.
• If you make a mistake picking the first point, you can drag the mouse around to highlight another point.

3. If you wish to pick an object's centre as a reference point, press the Shift key and then follow the (slightly different) mouse line instructions:

• Left mouse button picks the object's centre by clicking anywhere in the window.
• Middle mouse button picks a location anywhere.
• Right mouse button ends the mode.

4. The points are highlighted and a yellow line is drawn between them. The distance (in SOFTIMAGE units) between the two is displayed in the status line at the bottom of the screen.
5. Keeping the mouse button held down, you can drag the end point around and see the distance updated in the status line at the bottom of the screen.

Last updated 02-apr-1998