Automatic dimension/measuring tool please
A tool to automatically dimension signs would be an advantage to those of us working in the sign industry who create visuals for clients. It would also assist in maintaining accuracy of the artwork created and automatic checking device. This with the removal of the artboard size limitation would create a full working drawing platform for the manufacture of large signs for the retail industry.

Here we go, the first Beta version with the Dimension tool. Still very basic, but more features are to come. Please try the Beta 27.7 (available in the Beta section in your Creative Cloud Desktop application), test the tool and give the team your feedback here in comments. and refer to roadmap to see what will be added later.
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Anonymous commented
Has anybody worked with Flexi Sign Design software? When working with Illustrator for the sign/design business, the measurement display tool is the only (besides the art size limitation - of course!) tool missing. I agree, it should be a basic tool - part of the program!
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David Cuesta commented
In response to Yogesh Sharma, have a look at Fusion 360 create drawing tool. It lets you pick sides and quick create dimensions on sides without having to draw lines and arrow heads and then having to write in dimensions.
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Marty commented
I pay for Illy shouldn't have to pay for plugin for something so "basic"
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Mike commented
I'm not sure if someone has mentioned this, but Astute graphics has a plugin called VectorScribe that adds measurements for this exact application. They have a lot of plugins at Astute that should be standard features of illy (like Phantasm)
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Russ commented
Three possibilities:
1. Vector Scribe, by Astute Graphics, is a plug-in that will do what you are requesting.
2. The Measure Tool is hidden beneath the Eyedropper Tool in the Tools palette.
3. To show your clients a certain measurement in your drawing (printed) you will need to manually add them. -
Anonymous commented
I really can't see why this hasn't been a feature since day one
Why the reluctance to include a dimension tool? -
Anonymous commented
I make some illustrations of furnitures. It is only outline drawings, but I really need to be able to add measure to the drawing so people easily can se the measure of the furniture.
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Richatd Spencer commented
A simplified version of the third-party software Hotdoor CADTools would be a great addition to Illustrator. When creating label proofs we need to show the label dimensions, having to add them manually is slow and time consuming.
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LM commented
My personal answers to @Yogesh Sharma's questions:
1. It would have to be inside Illustrator first and foremost. Personally, I frequently send pngs of an object, with measurements shown visually. The people I send these to would not likely be able to use an online service to figure out all of these measurements themselves. But- the additional separate online service idea you mentioned sounds neat, and would be cool to have in addition. Provided it is an online service that would be easy to use for people outside of the "Adobe" network, that don't have subscriptions or accounts.
2: I use mostly horizontal and vertical dimensions- but angular dimensions would be handy as well.
Details on workflow; The projects I usually need this for are when I send graphics to be screen printed onto a product, and along with the "graphic" file, I will send a second file with dimensions shown for each section. Also for sending sticker design files- with a separate file visually showing the height and width specs of the sticker.
What I'm imaging is a tool similar to like exists in CAD, where you can click a point and draw a line, then the measurement of that line just shows up to the side, and the two end points of that line show up as arrows.
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Ash commented
Our business frequently needs to create spec sheets which are graphically appealing so we can submit them for tender and post to our website. This requires dimensions to be placed on almost every item every time.
Having a pre-set dimension style(s) that allow you to quickly add dimensions, and also override that text would improve our workflow massively.
Also the ability to add supplemental text on the other side of the dimension line such as “=“, “TYP”, “O/A” etc.
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DShealey commented
Just installed 2019, CADTools doesn't work. Great.
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Keith commented
The "callout" tools (like cad tools for illustrator) are needed because we often have to submit scaled permit application drawings. It would be problematic to go from app to app and back again.
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yasir ejaz commented
i am a dress designer need body scan for men & women. share details and also suggest if that scan cloth auto cut and then stitch.
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Kim Bao commented
I'm a graphic designer that's in sign industry and just switched from corel to illustrator. I use this script https://o2creative.co.nz/shop/Powerscripts/Add_Dimensions_PowerScript_for_Adobe_Illustrator (it's better compare to https://specees.dazed.design/ and https://adamdehaven.com/blog/dimension-adobe-illustrator-designs-with-a-simple-script/) to work around the inconvenience and I have to admit it's quite faster than corel's dimension tool. The only thing I'd add to this is the option of having both inch and foot together instead of either one of those. Also it'd be great if this is live editing that would automatically changes with the object size
I'm not trying to turn Illustrator into Corel Draw, but Corel definitely has some advantage that we could learn from.
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WaldoIsOK commented
Can you please make realistic, not true view? Thank you.
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Marina Price commented
I would like to take autocad space drawings and populate with accurately sized furniture. I would like to input the ratio given by the architect and have my preliminary subdivisions of the area be accurate.
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Cool! I'd like to try your solution, Ivan. Is there a chance to test it out before buy?
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Ivan commented
I used to spend a lot of time making dimensions, color, and fonts spec for developers and clients. Therefore a few months ago my colleague and I worked very hard to developed an extension called Specees for Adobe Illustrator that can generate height, width, distance, length of straight lines, round corner radius, and color and fonts properties of multiple objects at the same time:
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Martin Hales commented
This would be great, really useful. Please add the 'true length' (path length) from object properties too.
Plus add millimeters depth to 3D rather than only points.
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Lynn Stoecklein commented
I would love this as well. I am making packaging templates and need to call out horizontal and vertical width constantly. Diameter as well. I am currently using CAD Tools and do find it cumbersome. I do like that the dimensions are live and update with the object if it changes in size. I also depend on dual dimensions. (imperial and metric)