Measuring Distances in PCB Design with Flux

Streamline your workflow with quick and precise validations using Flux's intuitive automatic and manual measurement tools.

Overview

Accurate measurements are essential for successful PCB design, ensuring components fit correctly and manufacturing requirements are met. Flux provides both automatic and manual measurement tools to help you validate your designs quickly and precisely.

Automatic Measurement

Flux's automatic measurement system displays distances in real-time as you work, making it easy to verify spacing without interrupting your design flow.

How Automatic Measurements Work

Measurement lines and text appear automatically on the canvas when you select an object and hover over another object:

By default, measurements display in a straight line between the closest points
The units are inherited from the selected object
Hovering near the edge of an element results in edge-to-edge measurements
Hovering near the center shows center-to-center measurements

Customizing Automatic Measurements

Use these keyboard shortcuts to customize how measurements are displayed:

Action	Shortcut
Display measurements on X and Y axes	Hold ⇧ (Shift)
Measure elements within components	Hold ⌘ (Command) on Mac, or CTRL on Windows
Combine axis and component measurements	Hold ⇧ + ⌘ (or ⇧ + CTRL)
Toggle automatic measurements on/off	Press ⇧ + M

Manual Measurement

For more deliberate measurements, use the manual measurement tool to precisely measure the distance between any two points on your PCB.

Using the Manual Measurement Tool

Select the empty canvas (click on any area without components)
Right-click and select "Measure Distance (M)" from the context menu
Click on the first point you want to measure from
Click on the second point to complete the measurement
The distance will be displayed in millimeters (mm)

Keyboard Shortcut

Create a manual measurement: Press M while the canvas is selected

Best Practices for Accurate Measurements

Use edge snapping: When measuring between components, click precisely on edges for accurate results
Verify critical clearances: Double-check minimum clearances between high-voltage traces or components
Measure at multiple points: For irregular shapes, take measurements at several points
Use X/Y axis measurements: Hold Shift for separate horizontal and vertical measurements when checking alignment

Practical Applications

Component clearance verification: Ensure components have sufficient spacing for assembly
Trace width validation: Verify trace widths meet current-carrying requirements
Manufacturing constraint checks: Confirm your design meets fabrication house specifications
Thermal management: Measure distances between heat-generating components

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Inconsistent Measurements

Issue: Measurements seem inconsistent or inaccurate
Solution: Ensure you're clicking precisely on component edges and check your grid settings

Measurement Tool Not Responding

Issue: Manual measurement tool doesn't activate when pressing M
Solution: Make sure you've selected the empty canvas first, not a component

Units Display Problems

Issue: Measurements display in unexpected units
Solution: Check the units setting in your project preferences

What's Next

Now that you understand how to use Flux's measurement tools, you might want to explore:

Design Rule Checks - Learn how to automatically verify design constraints
PCB Rules Reference - Understand how to set up rules for consistent spacing
Component Placement Guide - Master techniques for optimal component placement
Manufacturing Preparation - Prepare your design for fabrication

Managing Units

Model Selection