Articles in this section

How to cut and measure

This article will show how to make cuts and measurements using the Locations module.

Table of contents

  1. How to make cuts
  2. How to make measurements in 3D
  3. How to make measurements in 2D

How to make cuts

Horizontal or vertical cuts

To cut in a model, go to Locations, and choose the building. Click on an element of the model, that will be your starting point for the cut. Then click the -icon.

If you click on a horizontal element, your model will be cut horizontally. If you click on a vertical element, your model will be cut vertically. 

(Click the image to enhance)

To remove the cut, click Remove cut.

 Tips and tricks

You can also use CTRL+ the scroll wheel to move the cut up or down.

You can create several cuts at the same time.

Box cut

If you want to cut in multiple directions at once, you can use a box.

To do so, click on an element, and click under the Cut. Then select 'Box cut'.

This creates a box cut that can be adjusted using the different directional arrows. To remove the cut, click Remove cut.

(Click the image to enhance)

Ignore cuts

You can ignore a cut for a model file or a specific category to get more context for these elements. To do this, after you used a DaluxIcon_cut.pngCut, select an element and click on either 'Ignore category' or 'Ignore file' to exclude them from the cut and isolate the elements.

  • Ignore category: excludes all elements from this category from the cut
  • Ignore file: excludes all elements from the file of the selected object from the cut

The shown example ignores the file of the MEP model from the cut:

(Click the image to enhance)

This works for all cut methods mentioned above.

How to make measurements in 3D

 Tips and tricks

To speed up your workflow, try using these shortcuts:

  • The space bar sets the view perpendicular for 2D cuts
  • Ctrl+Z to undo the latest measurement
  • 'Enter' to activate the most recently used measure tool
  • 'Esc' to exit the measure mode
  • Click the arrows on a measurement to alter the measurement

Point to point

The point to point measure allows you to measure between two points.

Go to Locations and find the element you want to measure Measure 'Point to point'.

(Click the image to enhance)

You can make as many measurements as you wish by clicking 'Point to point' again.

To remove a measurement, hold your mouse over the measurement, and click .

(Click the image to enhance)

 Tips and tricks

You can change your measurement from a locked perpendicular direction to free form, by holding down Shift while measuring.

3-axis laser

The 3-axis laser tool creates measurements in three directions originating from the same point. It works similarly to having a laser measurement tool on the construction site.

Go to Locations and find the element you want to measure Measure '3-axis laser'.

Then click somewhere in your model, to place the laser. You can move the laser around, by clicking and dragging it.

Multiple lasers can be added by clicking '3-axis laser' again.

(Click the image to enhance)

 Tips and tricks

You can use the arrows at the end of the measurement to move expand or retract the laser to the next surface.

When using a point to point or 3-axis laser to measure round objects, the measurements will be taken from the center of the object.

(Click the image to enhance)

Position marker

You can get the precise position of your model by using the position marker measurement

Click Measure 'Position marker' Click somewhere in your model, to place the marker.

(Click the image to enhance)

You can copy the position coordinates by clicking or remove it with .

(Click the image to enhance)

How to make measurements in 2D

 Tips and tricks

If your drawing does not have a scale, you can set a temporary scale for the drawing.

(Click the image to enhance)

Point to point

The point to point measure allows you to measure the distance between two points.

Go to Locations and find the element you want to measure Measure 'Point to point'.

Select two points you want to get the distance between by clicking on the drawing. In addition to the distance, you also get the angle to a horizontal baseline.

When selecting points, a snapping feature helps you to accurately find corners in your drawing. It also helps you in finding 90° angles for straight surfaces like walls and doors.

(Click the image to enhance)

Area

This feature will calculate both the area as well as the perimeter of a polygon. Click and drag on your drawing to create a rectangular shape.

Alternatively, click to create individual points on the drawings that will be connected. Once you are done, select your starting point again to calculate the area.

(Click the image to enhance)

Laser

With the laser feature, you can select any point on your drawing and Dalux will find the nearest distances to surrounding surfaces.

After measuring, click and drag  daluxicon_laser.png at the center to move the position of the measurement.

Click on an arrow of one of the measurement endpoints to change the measurement to the next line.

(Click the image to enhance)

More resources

  • Dalux Academy

    Transform your professional development with our e-learning platform. Experience customized education designed to match your specific construction role

  • Webinars & sneak peeks

    We hold regular product sneak peeks and online training sessions for beginner and advanced users on various topics.

  • Videos

    Browse our video tutorials, release note videos, and more on Vimeo.

  • LinkedIn

    Follow us on LinkedIn