Measuring Between 2 Windows

[mattpeneguy]

Sooo...I modeled something and modified it in not such a parametric way. The result was that I needed to modify a driving sketch part, but the math wasn't easy. So, I had to iterate to get the result I wanted. Should I have fixed the part to be correctly parametric? Yes...But that's beside the point.
What annoyed me is that I needed to measure between 2 edges to iterate and get my result. So, the genius that I am, I said, hey SW allows me to open two windows, I'll just zoom in to each edge in 2 different windows and measure between them...It doesn't work...WHY?

[AlexLachance]

Well, for instance because the measures would have no starting point from one model to the other, unless it used the origin as a reference but then again I'm pretty sure that would cause issues. So if you were to measure from a part to an assembly, the desired measure might not be the one you'd actually get.

[DanPihlaja]

I don't know why you can't measure between 2 windows with the same part.

But you CAN measure between two viewports.

[DanPihlaja]

Well, for instance because the measures would have no starting point from one model to the other, unless it used the origin as a reference but then again I'm pretty sure that would cause issues. So if you were to measure from a part to an assembly, the desired measure might not be the one you'd actually get.

He means using the "New Window" command under the Window drop down. It opens a new window of the same part. Not a different part.

[mattpeneguy]

I don't know why you can't measure between 2 windows with the same part.

But you CAN measure between two viewports.

image.png

image.png

No, YOU can, I can't.
I didn't try "Viewports" I was using a new "Window". I guess I was doing it wrong. I hardly ever have this need and didn't try the viewport...Still it should work for new Window, IMO.

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a shot.

[mattpeneguy]

Thanks again @DanPihlaja, Viewports work.

[DanPihlaja]

No, YOU can, I can't.
I didn't try "Viewports" I was using a new "Window". I guess I was doing it wrong. I hardly ever have this need and didn't try the viewport...Still it should work for new Window, IMO.

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a shot.

I guess what I meant to say was "I don't know why it is impossible to measure between 2 windows....because I can't either."

[mattpeneguy]

I guess what I meant to say was "I don't know why it is impossible to measure between 2 windows....because I can't either."

I wish Jim or someone was still around that could jump in and tell us the reason for having viewports vs. windows and which you'd use when.

[SPerman]

My guess is a new window is a new instance, where a new viewport is just a new display of the same instance.