Distance Tool

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Distance Tool


 

Editor-Icon Distance Tool

 


 

Click Distance Tool to measure the distance between two points:

 

11.distance.tool.location

Figure 1. Tools Tab Submenu. Distance Tool

 

When the Distance Tool is selected the pointer will become a crosshairs icon. Click to designate a starting point from which to measure. A red arrow will appear and the Distance Tool information box will be displayed in the lower right corner of the active window. Drag the crosshairs to the location to which the measurement is to be made. The distance from the first point will be displayed as the pointer is moved. Further details are available in the information box. Click to determine the measured distance. The baseline is then established. Click again to set the baseline as the final distance to be measured. Alternatively, move the pointer either up or down to reposition the baseline at a parallel position within the document and create perpendicular leader lines at either end. Click to complete the process:

 

11.distance.tool.example

Figure 2. Distance Tool Example

 

The Distance Tool calculates and displays distances measured according to the active scale. The Scale option in the Properties Toolbar is used to determine the active scale. The scale reference figure will be displayed above the line. Right-click lines and select Open Pop-Up Note to customize the appearance of the scale reference figure.

Click and drag the control points at either end of the baseline to adjust the length of the adjoining perpendicular lines.

Click and drag the second pair of control points to adjust the length of the baseline and the angle of the annotation.

Click and drag lines to reposition them.

Use the arrow keys to reposition lines.

Use the editing aids detailed here to assist in the precise placement of lines.

Hold down Shift to create lines at increments of fifteen degrees.

Right-click lines for further options. See here for an explanation of these options.

When the Distance Tool is selected, the following options are enabled in the Properties Toolbar:

Fill Color determines the fill color of the Line Starting/Ending Styles, detailed below, when closed-shape options are used.

Stroke Color determines the color of lines.

Border Style determines the style of lines.

Border Width determines the size of the Line Starting/Ending Styles, detailed below.

Line Starting Style determines the style used at the start of lines.

Line Ending Style determines the style used at the end of lines.

Opacity determines the level of transparency in lines.

Blend Mode determines the manner in which lines blend with underlying content. These options are explained here.

The Scale number boxes can be used to determine the scale of selected objects. Alternatively, click Scale to select/manage predefined scales or calibrate a new scale.

Keep Selected determines whether or not the Distance Tool remains selected after a line has been created. If this option is enabled then the tool will remain selected and can be used to create several lines consecutively. If this option is not enabled then PDF-XChange Editor will revert to the designated default tool immediately after creating the line.

Exclusive Mode simplifies the process of using the Distance Tool. When Exclusive Mode is enabled, the pointer ignores all interactive elements of documents other than base content. This makes it possible to create lines on areas that overlap with other content without the risk of accidentally selecting undesired items. When Exclusive Mode is disabled, the pointer recognizes and interacts with all underlying elements in the standard manner.

Click Properties to view/edit the Distance Tool Properties pane. See here for information on tool properties.

The Comment Styles Palette can be used to save customized distance line styles for subsequent use. Right-click the Distance Tool icon in the Commenting Toolbar to view existing styles and/or access the Comment Styles Palette.