Measurement Tools
Measure distances, areas, heights, and get point coordinates in the viewer
Aura provides several measurement tools for analyzing your data directly in the viewer. Access them from Tools → Draw & Measure in the top navigation.
Measure Distance
Measure the distance along a path between multiple points.
Activate the Tool
Select Tools → Draw & Measure → Measure Distance.
Click Points on the Map
Click to place points along the path you want to measure. Each click adds a new point.
View the Results
The right sidebar displays:
- Segment distances between consecutive points
- Total distance along the entire path
Adjust Points
Drag any point to reposition it. The distances update automatically.
Complete or Reset
- Press Escape to cancel
- Click Reset to clear and start over
Distance measurements account for 3D geometry, measuring the true distance through space rather than just the horizontal distance.
Measure Area
Calculate the area enclosed by a polygon.
Activate the Tool
Select Tools → Draw & Measure → Measure Area.
Draw the Polygon
Click to place vertices of the polygon. At least 3 points are required.
View the Results
The right sidebar displays:
- Area in square meters or square feet
- Perimeter of the polygon
Complete the Polygon
Double-click to close the polygon, or click the first point again.
Measure Height
Measure the vertical distance between two points.
Activate the Tool
Select Tools → Draw & Measure → Measure Height.
Click the Bottom Point
Click on the lower point (e.g., ground level).
Click the Top Point
Click on the upper point (e.g., top of a pole).
View the Results
The right sidebar displays:
- Vertical distance between the two points
- Elevation of each point
Height measurement calculates only the vertical (Z) component of the distance, ignoring horizontal displacement.
Get Point Info
Get detailed information about a specific point location.
Activate the Tool
Select Tools → Draw & Measure → Get Point Info.
Click a Point
Click on any location in the viewer.
View Coordinates
The right sidebar displays:
- Latitude and Longitude
- Elevation (height above ellipsoid)
- Cartesian coordinates (X, Y, Z)
Units
Measurement units can be configured in the application settings:
- Meters - Metric units (m, m², km)
- Feet - Imperial units (ft, ft², mi)
To change units, go to Settings from the user menu.
Tips for Accurate Measurements
Point Cloud Measurements
When measuring on point cloud data:
- Zoom in for more precise point placement
- Points snap to the nearest point cloud point
- Dense point clouds provide more accurate measurements
Surface Measurements
For measuring on terrain:
- Measurements follow the 3D surface
- Use Height tool for vertical-only measurements
- Distance tool measures true 3D distance
Working with Poles and Wires
For utility infrastructure:
- Use Height to measure pole heights
- Use Distance to measure span lengths
- Get Point Info helps identify specific coordinates for Digital Grid tools
Clearing Measurements
To clear measurement graphics from the viewer:
- Click Reset in the measurement settings panel
- Or activate a different tool
- Measurements are not saved permanently - they're for analysis only
Next Steps
After measuring your data:
- Add comments to document findings
- Create cross-sections for detailed analysis
- Use Digital Grid tools to model infrastructure