Measuring with RulerBoard (Beta)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Where Can the RulerBoard Be Used?
- Setting up the RulerBoard
- Taking Measurements on the RulerBoard
- Using Gridlines
- Adjusting the RulerBoard
- Summary & Beta Feedback
Introduction
The RulerBoard is an innovative tool that simplifies taking measurements on construction sites, particularly for flat surfaces such as walls, floors, ceilings, and sloped planes. By combining visual imagery with precise alignment, the RulerBoard allows you to measure distances and areas directly on surfaces with accuracy.
Whether you're measuring walls for windows, floors for materials, or ramps for slopes, the RulerBoard provides a practical and efficient way to get reliable measurements. While this is the beta version, it already offers significant value for improving measurement workflows.
Note: Note: The Ruler Board requires a 3D Dollhouse for best results in this beta release. Without it, measurements can still work, but only on perfectly level floors and walls that align closely with the 2D floor plan. Ensure these conditions are met; otherwise, measurement accuracy may be reduced.
Check out this quick intro video:
Where Can the RulerBoard Be Used?
The RulerBoard is perfect for measuring flat surfaces across a range of use cases:
Walls: stud spacing, window dimensions, or mounting clearances.
Ground/Ceilings: riser and cutout spacing, column position, or ground-level layouts.
Sloped Surfaces: take measurements on ramps, roofs, and other angled planes.
Setting up the RulerBoard
The first step to using the RulerBoard is to set it up depending on the type of flat surface you want to measure.
Below you'll find Board setup recommendations for:
- Walls using Vertical RulerBoard
- Floors and Sloped Surfaces using Best Fit RulerBoards
Setting up Vertical Boards (for Walls)
Vertical boards are the most common use case for the RulerBoard. Here’s how to set one up:
Turn on Visualizations:
Use the 3D Dollhouse View or in the Capture View turn on Point Cloud Rendering in Capture View to see the wall clearly and align the board more precisely in 3D.
Choose Your Board Orientation:
Select Vertical X or Vertical Y to align the board to the wall.
If the board doesn’t align as expected, toggle to the other option—it should be one of the two for a rectangular building.
Place the Board:
Hover your mouse over the wall to preview the board position.
Adjust until it looks aligned, then click to place it.
Finalize:
Hit Save to confirm.
Double-check the placement in 3D Dollhouse View and Capture View to ensure it’s flush with the wall.
Setting up Best Fit Boards (for Floors, Ceilings, Sloped Surfaces)
Use the Best Fit Plane feature for sloped surfaces like floors, ceilings, ramps, or angled roofs. It’s perfect for taking measurements of sloped areas in a building or construction site.
Best Fit Boards work best when you see the 3D Dollhouse or Point Cloud without obsctructions. Here’s how to set one up:
Turn on Visualizations:
Use the 3D Dollhouse View or enable Point Cloud Rendering in Capture View to make the surface easier to see.Pick Points to Fit the Board:
For a floor or ceiling: Click once on the floor or ceiling to define the plane. A preview of the board will appear.
For a sloped surface: Click at least three points along the slope to define the plane. A preview of the board will appear.
Confirm Placement:
Click Save to finalize the board. Double-check its placement in 3D Dollhouse View and Capture View to ensure it’s flush with the surface.
Setup for Angled Vertical Walls (using Best Fit RulerBoard)
Best Fit Boards can also be used to create a vertical board for walls that are not rectangular, such as walls at a 45-degree angle. This method is useful when you need to align a board to an angled wall that doesn’t fit the standard Vertical X or Vertical Y options.
Here’s how to set one up:
Use Best Fit RulerBoard and Place the Board: Click twice on the 2D Plan to trace a line that matches the angle of the wall. Press Save to create the board.
Verify Placement: Turn on the 3D Dollhouse View to check that the board is flush with the angled wall.
Make Adjustments: If needed, use the Offset Option to tweak the board position so it aligns perfectly with the wall surface.
Horizontal Boards (Floors/Ground)
For flat surfaces like floors or ground-level areas, use the Horizontal Board feature. However, in the current beta version, the Horizontal Board will only snap to a default flat plane.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Horizontal Board should only be used if you are certain the floor or ground is completely flat. If there’s any uncertainty—such as slopes, tilts, or uneven surfaces—consider using a Best Fit Board instead for better accuracy. This limits its applicability in the beta version as of writing this article.
Here’s how to set up a Horizontal Board:
Turn on Visualizations: Use the 3D Dollhouse View or enable Point Cloud Rendering in Capture View to assess the flatness of the surface.
Place the Board: Click on the floor or ground to position the board. A preview will appear.
Confirm Placement: Click Save to finalize the board. Be sure to double-check its alignment in both 3D Dollhouse View and Capture View and that it is flush with the ground.
Taking Measurements on the RulerBoard
Make sure the RulerBoard is Active
Measurements are always taken on the active RulerBoard:
When you create a RulerBoard, it becomes active by default. Any measurements taken immediately after are on that board.
To activate an existing RulerBoard, select it from the Measurement List.
Take Measurements
Once the RulerBoard is active:
Measure Distances: Click two points on the board to measure a straight line.
Measure Areas: Use the Polyline Tool to outline a shape and calculate its area.
Measure Circles, Angles, and Paths with the appropriate tool.
Important Note:
For the best results, focus on objects close to the plane of the RulerBoard or flush with it. Objects that are too far away—like elements at different depths—can cause errors due to perspective or angle distortion.
For example, In a deep ceiling, HVAC lines, electrical conduits, and studs sitting at different heights may introduce inaccuracies if measured at an angle.
If you need to measure something not flush with the board, try to position your view directly in front of the object (perpendicular to the board) to reduce distortion.
Using Gridlines
Gridlines on the RulerBoard help you take accurate measurements and spot repeating patterns, like tiles or studs.
How to Use Gridlines:
Match gridlines to repeating patterns to check spacing or find irregularities.
Verify straight rows, columns, or alignment for openings and panels.
Use them to align measurements perfectly straight—up/down or left/right.
Adjusting the RulerBoard
Once the RulerBoard is placed, you can fine-tune it using the available controls:
Grid Lines Adjustment: Use gridlines to align with repeating patterns like tiles or studs.
Adjust the spacing to match the pattern.
Click and drag the 0 point to align the grid with the start of the pattern.
Rotate the gridlines to align with angled patterns, such as stairs or framing for sloped surfaces.
Change the opacity to make the grid lines easier to see or hide.
Offset Adjustment: Use the Offset tool to tweak the board’s position slightly forward, backward, or deeper to make sure it’s perfectly flush with the surface.
Summary & Beta Feedback
The RulerBoard is a powerful tool for measuring flat surfaces with precision and efficiency. Whether you’re working on walls, floors, or sloped ramps, the ability to align boards and take measurements directly simplifies workflows and reduces errors.
While this is the beta version, it’s already opening up new ways to measure on construction sites. By following this workflow and understanding the setup nuances in this beta release, you can take full advantage of what the RulerBoard offers.
Please share your feedback with your Customer Success Manager or contact your Customer Success Manager for a walkthrough and intro to Rulerboard.