STEPFILE.comFree, alpha release

Measure Volume

Vol gives the volume of the material in the model. The button is named Vol, in the Advanced drawer of the Measure tab. It does not change the model.

Step by Step

  1. Open a 3D model, click the Measure tab, click Advanced, then Vol. The readout says "Tap the object to get its volume."
  2. Click anywhere on the model. The whole model lights up orange and the volume is written at its center, in cubic units like 6.25 in cubed.
  3. The readout says Volume, and beside it the weight in pounds and the material, then "that is the actual material; outer envelope is" followed by the volume of the box around the part.
  4. The result is kept as a numbered pill. See Kept Measurements.

What Is Counted

  • The volume of the parts that are showing. Hide a part in the Model Tree and it drops out of the total.
  • The actual material, not the box around it. A part with holes has less volume than its outer envelope, and the readout shows both.

When the Button Is Not Available

  • On a flat DXF drawing the button is greyed out. Hover over it and it says "Volume needs a 3D model."
  • While you are sketching it is greyed out too (hover text: "Volume is for the solid; exit sketching"). If Volume was the tool in use when you start sketching, the tool switches to Point.

Tips and Common Problems

  • The number looks too small. A part you hid is not counted.
  • I want the weight. Use Measure Mass, or see Materials and Weight.
  • Units. Cubic units follow the unit you chose on the Measure tab.

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