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.

A couple of questions on this:
1. Would it be okay to have a separate spec creation service much like the upcoming Adobe XD service? On this service, anyone with a link, can select any objects, and view its dimensions (W/H), colors, fonts etc. Or should it be inside Illustrator.
2. Are you only going to create horizontal, and vertical dimensions? Or would you also like to have angular dimensions as well?
Please share more details about your workflow.
Thanks,
Yogesh
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Oliver Malms commented
Right now we are using PowerScript Dimension from o2creative for this. It fits our needs very well, so an Adobe-Tool should at least have the functionality of this tool to make us think of using a native Illustrator-Tool instead of it.
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Anonymous commented
Usecase from corrugated board printer:
We are preparing files to print, sometimes it requires moving object so we need to measure distances to technical drawing. Basically if technical drawing is a square, and we have a circle, which was centered, and we had to move it, we will measure distance from top line of square to most top point of circle, bottom line of square to most bottom top of circle, and analogically with left and right distance.
Auto updating when resizing would be cool. When for example there was a measure created for a rectangle diagonal - resizing the box could update size of the diagonal.
Would be probably harder when measured is distance between to objects, but there are still two anchors.
So in case of measuring distance between two anchors, it could be just like keeping additional data for those two points, that they were connected with measure, and there should be drawn line with label about distance. Not sure if there is a need to be able to add measures for empty space - not attaching it to any points. Then it probably shouldn't update?
During few years never used scaling myself, but for architecture it's probably important.
Also - each company has it's own brand etc. - customization of font, color, thicnkess of lines, ending arrows would be a great addition - maybe some measurement styles? - you could create them like regular border styles.
Diagonal measurements are also helpful, although not so common, but not having them would hurt.
Radial measurements - angles etc. are not so needed in that usecase.I'm thinking about where those dimensions should be kept, maybe another 'eye' icon on each layer which would show/hide the dimensions on specific layer? It would be some upgrade over the CadTools in my opinion. Or just a sublayer created for each layer where dimensions are being drawn, but allowing and forcing dimensions to be drawn there, so it's easy to grab them later.
Currently using HotDoor CadTools, but waiting for their late releases is a pain.
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Chrissy Smith commented
For my wok flow, pages are printed out to aid in production, the measurements need to be able to be added to the page. Horizontal, Vertical, angular, radius, diameter.... all are used. I also need to show art at multiple scales to fit on a printed page. I use a plugin that allows scales to be assigned to a layer That would be a super handy addition as well.
See the attached examples of my work.
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Helga commented
1.) An integration in Illustrator would be highly appreciated to be more efficient
2.) More flexibility than horizontal and vertical would be really nice to have. I'd use it e.g. for measuring exhibition booth plans where 3D objects are not only rectangles parallel to the booth area. -
Anonymous commented
Agree with everything in the previous comment. Often in my work we are designing pieces that are laid out on top of architectural drawings, so the ability to se dimension to standard architectural scales (ex: 1/2'=1'-0") as well as any custom scale would be great.
It would also be good to be be able to make dimensions on angles as well.
The ability to have the dimensions auto update is important. There are many plugins on the market that will add dimensioning, but most of them require the dimension to be re-drawn once the object is re-sized. CadTools is the only plug-in I'm aware of which updates as objects are re-sized.
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Anonymous commented
Need to be able to select two points and add a dimension. Or select a line segment. Radius or diameter of a circle/arc
Length of path, area of a shape.
Set dimension unit and scaling 1:2 etc, text size. Automatically adjust if object scale changes
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Roger commented
We have been using PowerScript Dimensioning. It is simple dimensioning, but enough for us for now.
https://www.o2creative.co.nz/Dimensions_PowerScript_Plugin_Extension_for_Adobe_Illustrator.php
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Miguel Rosero commented
Yes, dimensioning is an important tool for anyone working in productions. I work in the film industry and we are constantly creating different kinds of signage with elevations and angles. Linear and angular dimensioning is a must. The plugin HotDoor CAD Tools is an option but it slows down the application and makes it buggy. Please Adobe this is a must.
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Anonymous commented
1000 of comments, but since 5 years and longer nobody seems to care at adobe. it is realy not a big deal, yes it is work but adobe is leading and the want to be the best of the best with there tools. so why do they stop here and leave us alone. It is like asking for a litte LED lamp in your cordless screwdriver. It is of course not needed, but it be so good to have it in a dark place.
What is your problem, Adobe????
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
dek27 commented
Yes add the automatic dimension tool (both linear and angular) just like in AutoCAD. Its very very useful for packaging design.
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Martin Hales commented
Please, please, please … add dimensioning, it’s been soooooo long now !
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Anonymous commented
Yes, we've been waiting far too long......Adobe seem to think illustrator should just be used for illustration where as they should be celebrating it's versatility as a design package too. GIVE US A DIMENSION TOOL JUST LIKE COREL DRAW!!!!!
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Derek Jenkins commented
I would think almost 5 years would be enough time to get the info you need.
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Michael Jennings commented
Much like (read:exactly like) Corel Draw has had for nearly two decades, add the ability to automatically dimension without an expensive third party plug-in
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Rachel Block commented
Is there any update on adding this feature? Would be so helpful to have something built-in. For years I've used a 3rd party plug-in (HotDoor CadTools) but something that's more seamlessly integrated would be helpful!
I mainly use its horizontal, vertical, angular and radius dimensioning tools. AND- their tool to set your page to an architectural scale is great, especially for storefront signage when I'm doing a layout on a blueprint.
But every time Adobe updates its software, having to wait for the CadTools update is frustrating. And their software is expensive to keep up to date. And- the fact that the line weights and font sizes on dimensions don't have a way of automatically sizing with your document is less than ideal. If I'm working on something that's 10 ft wide, I'd like a big font. But if it's 10 in wide, a small font.
As others have mentioned, it really helps for ensuring no mistakes at sign shops, and when presenting finished designs to make sure everyone is on the same page about sizing.
Thank you!
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Mario Arizmendi Duarte commented
See this video to see how it should work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mOVh3YALYwor this other way
http://jlg.outils.pagesperso-orange.fr/videosdimensionfr.html#This request has too many votes, why is it not implemented yet?
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Robert Farrar commented
Is it possible to add a dimensions tool to Illustrator? would be very helpful when showing print die suppliers the size of the printed area. Just need a tool that, when clicking 2 points or lines, will draw arrows in both directions with text dimensions in the middle.
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Alessandro, the advice Chris gave is for Acrobat, not Illustrator.
Thera are some scripts and plugins (like DynamicMeasure and CADDimensions) that can do that already.
Also, what do you mean by 'quotes and snap'? -
Alessandro commented
in the latest version of illustrator, the measurement tool does not have the functions you describe ... I tried to follow your directions without success. When I select the measure tool the information window opens which tells me only the distance, no area, no perimeter and scale factor. Am I wrong something?
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Chris Jordan commented
Click on the Measuring tool, and then pick one of the Measurement types: Distance, Area or Perimeter. Hover over the page and right click (Mac OS: Control+click) and chose Change Scale Ratio from the context menu.
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