# How to measure a distance that doesn’t use guide points
**URL:** https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422
**Category:** Modeling Questions
**Created:** [December 19, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422 "2023-12-19T16:20:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bobsammer](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/bobsammer)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/1 "2023-12-19T16:20:52Z")
In the sketch I have attached I have been trying to figure out how to measure this vertical distance between two lines or planes that are at a 30° angle to horizontal, but parallel to one another. Do I have to make extra geometry in order to measure this dimension or can I measure it using the solid bodies that already exist?
---
### Author:  [@Dino12](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Dino12)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/2 "2023-12-19T20:22:40Z")
The only way I would know how to do it would be to create a three point plane on the stairs edge and then you can measure by selecting the plane and the face of the top rail.
---
### Author:  [@bobsammer](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/bobsammer)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/3 "2023-12-19T21:38:31Z")
Thanks for the suggestion Dino.
I made a construction plane using three points on the bullnose of two treads. This gave me a plane that was parallel to the top surface of the handrail.
When I selected the Measure command and tried point to point, I couldn’t pick anything on the construction plane to get a vertical measurement to the top surface of the Handrail.
Am I missing something?
Bob
---
### Author:  [@Dino12](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Dino12)
#### Post date: [December 19, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/4 "2023-12-19T21:58:05Z")
Don’t use the measure command. Select your plane then if you are using a keyboard, shift + select the top face of the handrail so that they are both selected. at the bottom center of the screen it will say “1 Plane & 1 Face” followed by the measurement.
---
### Author:  [@H\_Daniel](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/H_Daniel)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2023, 8:26am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/5 "2023-12-20T08:26:29Z")
Hey @bobsammer,
You don’t need to create extra geometries, just select the top face of the rail and an edge of a step and pick parallel distance in measurements. As long as your steps are parallel with the rail it’ll give you the right measurement.
---
### Author:  [@bobsammer](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/bobsammer)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/6 "2023-12-20T12:54:19Z")
Thanks for the advice Daniel.
I may not have drawn it correctly for you to see that I’m interested in the vertical distance between the two angled and parallel planes. You are correct however if I wanted the normal distance between the two parallel planes.
Bob
---
### Author:  [@H\_Daniel](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/H_Daniel)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/7 "2023-12-20T13:07:37Z")
Sorry for the misunderstanding Bob. You could use a vertical construction plane to split the body in the desired place and measure the distance between the edges.
---
### Author:  [@bobsammer](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/bobsammer)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-measure-a-distance-that-doesn-t-use-guide-points/29422/8 "2023-12-20T13:22:41Z")
Thanks again for your assistance, Daniel.
Bob