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AI-BIM App provides comprehensive measurement tools to analyze distances, dimensions, areas, and volumes directly in the 3D viewport.

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Available Measurement Tools

The measurement system includes five specialized tools:
  • Edge Measurement - Measure distances along model edges
  • Face Measurement - Measure face dimensions and areas
  • Length Measurement - Create custom length measurements between any two points
  • Area Measurement - Measure surface areas by defining boundaries
  • Volume Measurement - Calculate volumes from selected elements
Reference: Measurement tools at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:26

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Accessing Measurement Tools

Measurement controls are located in the Measurement tab:
1

Open Measurement Tab

In the floating toolbar at the center of the viewport, click the Measurement tab.
2

Find Measurements Section

The section includes an “Enabled” checkbox, a dropdown menu for tool selection, and a “Delete all” button.
3

Enable Measurements

Check the Enabled checkbox to activate measurement mode.
4

Select Tool Type

Use the dropdown to choose Edge, Face, Volume, Length, or Area measurement.
Reference: Measurement UI at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:167

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Measuring Edges

Measure distances along existing model edges:
1

Enable Measurements

Check the Enabled checkbox in the Measurements section.
2

Select Edge Tool

In the dropdown, select Edge.
3

Double-click an Edge

Move your cursor over a model edge and double-click to create a measurement.
4

View Measurement

The edge length is displayed directly in the 3D viewport along the edge.
5

Create More Measurements

Continue double-clicking edges to measure additional distances.
Reference: Edge measurement at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:14
Edge measurements snap to model geometry, ensuring accurate readings along object boundaries.

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Measuring Faces

Measure dimensions of flat surfaces:
1

Enable Measurements

Check the Enabled checkbox.
2

Select Face Tool

Choose Face from the dropdown menu.
3

Double-click a Face

Hover over a flat surface and double-click to measure it.
4

View Face Dimensions

The measurement displays the face’s area and dimensions.
Reference: Face measurement at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:15
Face measurements work best on flat, planar surfaces. Complex curved surfaces may not produce accurate results.

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Creating Length Measurements

Measure custom distances between any two points:
1

Enable Measurements

Check the Enabled checkbox.
2

Select Length Tool

Choose Length from the dropdown.
3

First Point

Double-click in the viewport to set the first measurement point.
4

Second Point

Move to the second location and double-click to complete the measurement.
5

View Distance

A line appears between the points with the distance displayed.
Reference: Length measurement at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:17
Length measurements don’t require snapping to geometry - measure between any points in 3D space.

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Measuring Areas

Define custom area measurements:
1

Enable Measurements

Check the Enabled checkbox.
2

Select Area Tool

Choose Area from the dropdown menu.
3

Define Boundary Points

Double-click to place points that define the area boundary.
4

Close the Area

Complete the shape by connecting back to the starting point.
5

View Area Calculation

The enclosed area is calculated and displayed.
Reference: Area measurement at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:18

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Calculating Volumes

Calculate volumes of selected elements:
1

Select Elements First

Before enabling volume measurement, click elements in the viewport to select them.
2

Enable Measurements

Check the Enabled checkbox.
3

Select Volume Tool

Choose Volume from the dropdown.
4

Volume Calculates Automatically

The system analyzes selected fragments and calculates their total volume.
5

View Volume Display

The volume measurement appears in the viewport.
Reference: Volume calculation at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:52
Volume measurement requires element selection through the highlighter system. Select elements before switching to volume measurement mode.

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Managing Measurements

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Deleting Individual Measurements

Remove specific measurements:
1

Select a Measurement

Click on an existing measurement to select it.
2

Press Delete Key

Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
3

Measurement Removed

The selected measurement is deleted from the viewport.
Reference: Delete function at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:69
The Delete key only works when measurements are enabled and the correct tool is selected in the dropdown.

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Clearing All Measurements

Remove all measurements at once:
1

Click Delete All Button

In the Measurements section, click the Delete all button.
2

All Measurements Cleared

Every measurement from all tools is removed from the viewport.
Reference: Delete all function at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:115

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Disabling Measurement Mode

Exit measurement mode to restore normal selection:
1

Uncheck Enabled

Uncheck the Enabled checkbox in the Measurements section.
2

Highlighter Re-enabled

Element selection (highlighter) is restored for all tools except Volume.
3

Measurements Remain Visible

Existing measurements stay visible but can no longer be created or deleted.
Reference: Disable logic at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:121

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How Measurement Tools Work

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Tool Initialization

Each measurement type is initialized at startup:
1

Component Retrieval

The system retrieves measurement components from the component library.
2

World Assignment

Each tool is assigned to the world instance for viewport integration.
3

Tool Storage

Tools are stored in a dictionary for easy access by name.
Reference: Tool initialization at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:20

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Event Management

Measurement tools use event listeners:
  • Double-click event - Creates new measurements (except Volume)
  • Keydown event - Deletes selected measurements
  • Tool change event - Switches between measurement types
  • Enabled toggle - Activates/deactivates measurement mode
Reference: Event setup at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:88

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Highlighter Integration

Measurements interact with the highlighter system:
  • Volume tool - Highlighter remains enabled to allow element selection
  • Other tools - Highlighter is disabled to prevent selection conflicts
  • On disable - Highlighter is re-enabled for normal operation
Reference: Highlighter setup at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:80

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Volume Measurement Process

1

Element Selection Detected

When elements are selected, the highlighter’s select event fires.
2

Fragment Map Retrieved

Selected element IDs are converted to a fragment map.
3

Volume Calculated

The getVolumeFromFragments method processes the geometry.
4

Result Displayed

The calculated volume is shown in the viewport.
Reference: Volume generation at /src/components/Toolbars/Sections/Measurement.ts:52

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Measurement Units

Measurement units depend on your IFC file’s unit definitions:
  • Units are inherited from the IFC model
  • Common units: meters (m), millimeters (mm), feet (ft)
  • Volume units are cubic (m³, mm³, ft³)
  • Area units are square (m², mm², ft²)
Always verify the units used in your source BIM model to correctly interpret measurements.

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Best Practices

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For Edge and Face Measurements

Zoom in close to the element before measuring to ensure accurate cursor placement and edge/face detection.

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For Length Measurements

Use the camera’s orthographic mode for more accurate point placement when measuring in 2D planes.

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For Area Measurements

Define area boundaries on a flat plane for most accurate results. Complex 3D boundaries may not calculate correctly.

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For Volume Measurements

Select entire elements rather than partial fragments for accurate volume calculations. Use the element highlighter, not manual fragment selection.

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Combining with Other Features

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Measurements + Data Analysis

1

Use Charts to Isolate

Use the data visualization charts to isolate specific element types.
2

Measure Isolated Elements

With elements isolated, take measurements to analyze that specific category.
3

Compare Results

Use AI queries to get total quantities and compare with individual measurements.

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Measurements + Element Selection

1

Select Elements

Use the highlighter to select elements of interest.
2

Focus Camera

Use the Focus button in the Selection toolbar to zoom to selected elements.
3

Take Measurements

Enable measurement tools and measure the focused elements in detail.

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Quality Verification Workflow

1

Query AI for Expected Dimensions

Ask the AI about element dimensions or quantities from IFC properties.
2

Verify with Measurements

Use measurement tools to verify that actual geometry matches expected values.
3

Document Discrepancies

Take screenshots of measurements that differ from expected values.

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Troubleshooting

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Measurements Not Creating

  • Ensure the Enabled checkbox is checked
  • Verify you’re double-clicking, not single-clicking
  • Check that the correct tool is selected in the dropdown
  • For Volume, ensure elements are selected first

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Delete Key Not Working

  • Measurements must be enabled
  • The correct tool must be selected
  • Click the measurement to select it before pressing Delete
  • Check if your browser or OS is intercepting the Delete key

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Inaccurate Measurements

  • Zoom in closer to ensure precise point placement
  • For edge/face measurements, ensure you’re clicking the intended geometry
  • Check your model’s unit definition in the source BIM software
  • Curved surfaces may not measure accurately with planar tools

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Volume Not Calculating

  • Ensure elements are selected (highlighted) before enabling volume tool
  • Select complete elements, not partial fragments
  • Some element types may not support volume calculation
  • Check browser console for error messages

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Measurements Disappear

  • Measurements are cleared when you click “Delete all”
  • Switching between tools doesn’t delete measurements
  • Check if another user or script cleared measurements

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Can’t Select Elements While Measuring

  • This is expected behavior for Edge, Face, Length, and Area tools
  • The highlighter is automatically disabled to prevent conflicts
  • Only Volume tool allows element selection
  • Disable measurements to restore normal selection

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Performance Considerations

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Large Models

  • Volume calculations may take several seconds for complex elements
  • Creating many measurements can impact viewport performance
  • Use “Delete all” periodically to clear unnecessary measurements

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Memory Usage

  • Each measurement stores geometry data
  • Hundreds of measurements may consume significant memory
  • Delete measurements when no longer needed

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Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Delete - Delete selected measurement (when measurement mode is enabled)
  • Double-click - Create new measurement (for Edge, Face, Length, Area tools)
The Enter key and other common shortcuts are not currently mapped to measurement functions. Use the UI buttons or Delete key.

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Tips for Effective Measuring

Start with Edge measurements for quick distance checks, then use Length for custom measurements that don’t follow edges.
Use Volume measurements to verify total material quantities against AI query results.
Take screenshots of measurements for documentation - they’ll be visible in the captured image.
Lock the camera (in Camera toolbar) while taking measurements to prevent accidental view changes.

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Next Steps

Expand your workflow:
  • Combine measurements with data analysis for comprehensive model review
  • Use AI queries to cross-reference measured values with IFC properties
  • Master 3D navigation to position views optimally for measurement accuracy

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