Measuring distance on a existing DWG

[mohtogh]

Hi,
I have a autocad drawing and want to measure distance between two points on this drawing:A and B.
I don't want length of line AB, But I want overall length of horizontal and vertical lines which connect A to B.
What can I do?
Please reply in step by step form because I am novice in Autocad.
Thanks for your answer.

 

[IFRs]

Use the distance command then snap to the line end points.

Type "DIST", then "ENDP", pick one dne, then "ENDP" and pick the other end.

 

[TravisMack]

If you are looking at getting a total distance, including the vertical and horizontal offsets....do a distance command from point A to B. Then add the x,y and z components. That will give you overall length.

If that is too much, "trace" the distance with the PLINE command. Then, LIST the Pline. That will give you total distance.

 

[mohtogh]

Thank you all for your quick answers. I have to try them.
MFPD: yes I want only total length.
How can I choose point "A" exactly on a line?
Thanks again.

 

[IFRs]

The "DIST" command gives you the true length, in 3D as well as the X, Y and Z components. You do not have to add them together.

To get a specific point on the line, AutoCAD can "Snap" to certain parts: "ENDP" (endpoint" or "MID" (midpoint). Type either as I have shown above in the middle of your DIST command..

 

[jghrist]

Do you want the total length of the horizontal and vertical lines connecting A to B or the net length? For example:
[tt]
4m
A---------------+
|
|
| 3m
|
B-------+
2m
[/tt]

Net length of lines 4-2 = 2m horizontal and -3m vertical would be given by the DIST command and snapping at A then B. To get total length 4+3+2 = 9m, trace a PLINE then use LIST to get total length.

 

[TravisMack]

If you want to choose point "a" exactly on a line, use the object snap of nearest or endpoint depending on where you want to choose. I suspect you want endpoints.

 

[diamondjim]

If you want only the horizontal
distance and the vertical distance
you could list the coordinates
and subtract their coordinates.
If you want to construct same,
you could draw a vertical line from point
a to (perpendicular) to point b
and then a horizontal line from
point a to (penpendicular) to point b.
Is this what you are after,
only the vertical and horizontal
distances? You could simply dimension
them using vertical and horizontal
measurements.