Knowledgebase

Problem:

How do I change the units of measurement that the Measuring Tools use?

The Measuring Tools are the Distance Tool, Perimeter Tool and Area Tool.

Resolution:

1. Click Comment in the RibbonToolbar.

2. Click the desired tool.

3. Click the Format toolbar.

4. Use the Scale number boxes in the Format Toolbar to determine the units of measurement:

Please note:

• The number box and dropdown menu on the left determine the first half of the scale. These units will be used in the document itself.

• The number box and dropdown menu on the right determine the second half of the scale. These units will be displayed on the lines that measurement tools create. They illustrate what the size measured in the document represents. The example detailed above defines one inch as equal to one metre. Therefore, an inch measured in the document represents a metre in actual size, and the measuring tool will display metres when it is used to create annotations.
• Use the Calibrate Measurement feature to determine custom scales. This feature is detailed here.

PDF-XChange Viewer

Please note that the units of measurement for the Measuring Tools can be set independently of the default units of measurement determined in the Preferences section, which determine units for page sizes, grids, guides and rulers. The software is designed in this manner to make it possible for each object that the Measuring Tools create to have independent units of measurement. Follow the steps below to determine the units of measurement for the Measuring Tools:

1. Click Tools in the Menu Toolbar.

2. Hover over Measuring Tools.

3. Click the desired tool.

4. Use the Ratio Unit dropdown menus in the Properties Toolbar to determine units of measurement:

Please note:

• The number box and dropdown menu on the left determine the first half of the scale. These units will be used in the document itself.

• The number box and dropdown menu on the right determine the second half of the scale. These units will be displayed on the lines that measurement tools create. They illustrate what the size measured in the document represents. The example detailed above defines one inch as equal to one metre. Therefore, an inch measured in the document represents a metre in actual size, and the measuring tool will display metres when it is used to create annotations.