topic Re: Dimension Perpendicular to Angled Line in Documentation

Dimension Perpendicular to Angled Line

Matt Balaam — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 23:39:23 GMT

I believe I already know the answer to this, but is there any way to directly place this dimension, at this angle, in this location, associated to the two nodes circled in red without needing to implement a workaround or extra clicks?

My experience:

Using the Any Direction geometry method only allows me to place the dimension parallel to the angled line, not perpendicular. This is where I believe the solution should lie...if I place my cursor near the perpendicular point the dimension should snap to perpendicular instead of parallel (much like the behaviour of other tools).
Using snap reference and guidelines are not helpful as the dimension tool will not snap the dimension line to them. The result is the same as not having them (plus there are extra clicks required to place the guides).
I can temporarily rotate the view so the boundary is vertical/horizontal on the screen and then place the dimensions freely, but this is a workaround and requires extra clicks.
I can place the dimension at an arbitrary angle and rotate it after it's placed, but this is a workaround and requires extra clicks.
I can draw a perpendicular line first, then use that to snap the dimension to when placing it, but this is a workaround and requires many extra clicks and a superfluous line that will be deleted later.

This should be possible without the need for a workaround as it's a very common use of the dimension tool.

Re: Dimension Perpendicular to Angled Line

Barry Kelly — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:47:17 GMT

The thing is when you place an angled dimension, the first two clicks establish the angle of the dimension line.

There is no point perpendicular from that line to the corner, so you have to establish it by using the methods you mentioned.

I personally do it with the blue guide segments - no clicking, just hovering to establish the guides.

The only thing is that the dimension will not be associated to the point on the line as there is no actual node there.

If you do want to associate, you need to create a node on the line at that point or add a hotspot, and then dimension that node or hotspot.

A temporary line will work but you have to hide it in a layer that is turned off, otherwise if you delete the line, the dimension will delete as well.

Barry.

Re: Dimension Perpendicular to Angled Line

Matt Balaam — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:13:23 GMT

Thanks for the response @Barry Kelly, your comments highlight exactly what my point is...it's all workarounds.

Yes, you can hover and use the snap guides to place a static dimension, but then you need to associate it with the line (extra clicks).

Adding a node will let you associate, but that's also extra clicks, and any movement of the home on the site means the node is no longer perpendicular (the dimension will still work though).

Using hotspots means you aren't actually associated to the line, with the hotspot becoming another element you have to maintain.

The ideal would be for the placement of the dimension to allow you to snap to the snap guides. In the below screenshot, I can create the dimension and show the perpendicular snap guide, but I can't snap the dimension to it. If we could, there would be no need for any workarounds, we could just place the dimension exactly where we want it.

Interestingly, if you have a perpendicular line somewhere (including a dimension you've already placed), you can snap the new dimension to that line/dimension and place it correctly straight up, so the functionality is essentially there, it just doesn't work with the snap guides which is where we need it to be added.

This line:

Allows us to snap the way we want:

Re: Dimension Perpendicular to Angled Line

Barry Kelly — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:40:54 GMT

@Matt Balaam wrote:

Yes, you can hover and use the snap guides to place a static dimension, but then you need to associate it with the line (extra clicks).

No extra click, just a bit of hovering to bring up the guide points and lines (or use the keyboard shortcut).

@Matt Balaam wrote:

Adding a node will let you associate, but that's also extra clicks, and any movement of the home on the site means the node is no longer perpendicular (the dimension will still work though).

Using hotspots means you aren't actually associated to the line, with the hotspot becoming another element you have to maintain.

You can then move the node or hotspot so it is in perpendicular position again.

But you are correct, it is an extra step.

@Matt Balaam wrote:

The ideal would be for the placement of the dimension to allow you to snap to the snap guides. In the below screenshot, I can create the dimension and show the perpendicular snap guide, but I can't snap the dimension to it. If we could, there would be no need for any workarounds, we could just place the dimension exactly where we want it.

Interestingly, if you have a perpendicular line somewhere (including a dimension you've already placed), you can snap the new dimension to that line/dimension and place it correctly straight up, so the functionality is essentially there, it just doesn't work with the snap guides which is where we need it to be added.

This line:

Allows us to snap the way we want:

Yes being able to snap to the guide to set the dimension angle would be the perfect solution.

You could make a wish for that and reference this post for context.

Using an already perpendicular line is a good option I hadn't thought of.

But still the dimension is not associated to the perpendicular point.

Barry.

Re: Dimension Perpendicular to Angled Line

Matt Balaam — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 03:33:30 GMT

@Barry Kelly wrote:

@Matt Balaam wrote:

Yes, you can hover and use the snap guides to place a static dimension, but then you need to associate it with the line (extra clicks).

No extra click, just a bit of hovering to bring up the guide points and lines (or use the keyboard shortcut).

Sorry, I was referring to re-associating the dimension when I mentioned extra clicks, the snap guides don't need clicks.

Yes being able to snap to the guide to set the dimension angle would be the perfect solution.

You could make a wish for that and reference this post for context.

Wish added here.