Measuring Tool

The scale for the measurement tool can be embedded when creating the PDF from AutoCAD using the PDFmaker macro but unfortunately if it isn't set then you cannot permanently set it in Acrobat (it resets when you exit the program).

This is an excellent feature request.

I would also like to add my 2 cents to this request.
The previous versions had the option to save the scale to each Plan, why was that removed ?

I second that. The scale ratio needs to be able to stay put between sessions until it is manualy changed. There are a few other item in Acrobat that need to be that way but are not.

I hope if I may ask another measureing tool question here. I have begun to learn about the measuring tool and have been working with the areas. How can I get in and edit the path? I need to tweek an area path to straighten out a side but I cannot do it. It seems I can when I first draw out the area before starting a new one but I cannot go back to one already drawn and make changes to it.

I definitely agree. The old version would at least keep the scale until you closed the document. Does the embeded scale also work with MicroStation, and if so, are there directions I can provide to our Designers?

On a related note, does anyone here know how to change the scale ratio of an existing measurement?

For example, I drew a dozen perimeter measurements on a map but forgot to set the scale ratio first. So the perimeters are in map inches (1"=1"), but I want them in Earth feet (1" = 5,940').

It's looking like I need to set the scale ratio and redraw the measurements. :( BTW, I'm using Acrobat Pro v9. TIA

I just figured out a workaround for my problem. Copy or cut the measurement line/polygon, change the scale ratio, then paste. The pasted item picks up the new scale ratio. Unfortunately you can only do one at a time this way, but in my case (complex polygons) it beats redrawing them.

rwurgler - measurements are stored in the PDF as comments, so can be accessed through Javascript and changed as required (they don't have a scale, they just store the measurement as a text label).

See http://uvsar.blogspot.com/2009/07/editing-value-of-pdf-measurement-tool.php for a script that works through every currently-selected measurement and asks for a new value.

It's easy enough to modify the script example in my blog so it scales every measurement by a factor instead of prompting for one, but remember the field string contains the measurement unit, so you'll have to strip it off before doing math on the variable.

I'm having the same problem. I still cannot figure out how to change the embedded scale settings. Can someone post the path of clicks that it will take to get there.

thanks for the workaround but I'd like to see a better solution

Thanks UVSAR for the advice and the script. The script allows me to change the text label but not the embedded measurement. Conversely, my workaround allows me to change the embedded measurement but not the label. Together, I have a complete solution. [For the benefit of others I've quoted USVAR's post below, in case his original post gets deleted or lost.]

Here's how I do it:

Executive Summary - Copy or cut the measurement lines/polygons, change the scale ratio, then paste. The pasted items pick up the new scale ratio.* Use UVSAR's script to change the labels if desired.

Step-By-Step Example - I measured a stretch of river but forgot to set the scale ratio (it was the default 1 inch = 1 inch but I need 1 inch = 5940 feet). The measurement shows 9.66 inches which I know is wrong, it should be thousands of feet. It's a long convoluted line, so I don't want to redraw it. Here's what I do:

1) Make sure the Measuring Tool is selected.
2) Select the measurement I want to fix, and cut it (CTRL-X).
3) Select the Measuring Tool again (yes, even though I already have it selected, I need to do this to get the correct menu in the next step).
4) Right-click anywhere in the document window to make the contextual menu pop up; select Change Scale Ratio from the menu.
5) Change the ratio so 1 inch = 5940 feet
6) Paste (CTRL-V) the measurement I cut in step 2. The label still says 9.66 inches but the value in the little Distance Tool readout shows 57396.68 feet. Perfect.
7) Drag the measurement to its original position (it pasted to the center of the window, not where I wanted it).
8) Use UVSAR's script to revise the label to read 57396.68 feet instead of 9.66 inches.

*Footnotes:
-Contrary to what I said in my previous post, you CAN fix several at a time -- hold down the CTRL key while clicking on multiple measurement objects. Cut, change scale ratio, paste. They all get new measurement values (but labels stay the same -- use UVSAR's script to fix the labels).

-Sometimes I only need the measurement value, not caring about the appearance of the object itself or what the label says. In that case, I would only do steps 1 thru 6.

-The procedure could probably be automated with a batch script. I'd be interested to hear the details if anyone develops such a thing.

End

I'm using Mac and need help changing measure scale. I need to change it to 1" = 50.0'. Help would be greatly appreciated.

I've got a question on how to measure polygon lines. I use shapes to do quantity take-offs once in a while, and polygon lines help. I remember seeing a routine that give a pop-up bubble with the line length but now I forgotten where it is, and can't find any help online. I don't want to dimension each segment (I know I can do that) but am looking for a tool (even if it's a plug-in) that will measure the completed shape.

Any tips?

The first post on this subject was posted on 2009-01-20.
Today we are 2010-10-25 and there has been no fix to this issue.
I certanly hope that Acrobat X does have a fix to this.
Thanks

I think new version is good rather than older one. In the begining you get bit dificulty in using different parameters - rajesh

After I change the scale ratio in Pro X and then try to measure the scale reverts back to the "embedded scale ratio". It worked when I was using the trial version. What is the fix? The scale ratio message box title is "Scale R&atio" which is weird. There should not be an ampersand sign.

Sounds like a bug. Did you update to the latest version?

Under Preferences > Measuring (2D) have you got the first box ticked (use scale from document when present)?

Thank you all and yes i do have this box checked