1. Help section
  2. Measurements

Measurements

The Queensland Globe utilises the Web Mercator map projection. This projection is the most commonly used coordinate system used in web applications to show world extents. Its strength is that it preserves direction and the shape of data, however the downside is it distorts distance and area.

The use of the Queensland Globe for the purposes of precise measurement is not advised. For more information, please refer to the Locational accuracy section or the Disclaimer notice on the Welcome page for further details.

Measurement tool

The measurement tool provides a quick way of measuring features on the map. It will display a temporary measurement, visible until the tool is deselected or a new measurement is drawn.

The measurement tool is available via the menu bar. Expand the menu to view the available options.

Click on the Measurement icon to activate the tool.

Activate the Measurement Tool

Measure line

To measure a line using the Measurement tool
  1. Zoom to a location on the map you wish to measure.
  2. Expand the toolbar and select the Measurement tool.
  3. Click on Measure line and adjust the unit of measurement, if required.
    4. measure line

  4. Click on the map to start drawing a line. The length value will appear over your line, and update dynamically as you draw. The segment length, overall length, and bearing appear in the bottom left corner of the map.
    5. measure line start

  5. Click again at each bend in the line to create a vertex.
  6. Double click to finish the line.
  7. View the measurement result on the screen.
  8. To remove the measurement from the map, click New Measurement
    9. new measurement

If the line needs adjustment, the individual vertices can be picked up and moved. Please note this tool differs from editing a place in that no new vertices can be added, nor can the whole object be picked up and moved. Line measurements with multiple vertices can only be made in 2D view mode.

measure line adjustment

Measure area

To measure an area using the Measurement tool
  1. Zoom to a location on the map you wish to measure.
  2. Expand the toolbar and select the Measurement tool.
  3. Click on Measure area and adjust the unit of measurement, if required.
    4. measure area

  4. Click on the map to start drawing an area line. An area value will appear over your polygon, and update dynamically as you draw. Area and perimeter values will also appear in the bottom left corner of the map.
    5. measure area result

  5. Click again at each corner of your area to create a vertex.
  6. Double click to finish the area measurement.
  7. If the area needs adjustment, the individual vertices can be picked up and moved.
  8. Note that no new vertices can be added, nor can the whole object be picked up and moved.
  9. To remove the measurement from the map, click New Measurement.
    10. new measurement

Measure height

To measure the height of a 3D object
  1. Zoom to a location on the map you wish to measure.
  2. Ensure the view mode is either 3D or 360 for the option to appear under the Measurement tool.
  3. Draw a 3D object using the drawing tools or include a scene service via the user-added data tool.
  4. Expand the toolbar and select the Measurement tool.
  5. Click on Measure height.
    6. measure height tool
  6. Then click on at a point on the 3D object you wish to measure the height.
    7. measure height result
  7. The height (above sea level) and height (from ground) will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the map.
  8. The height from the ground to the point on the 3D object is delineated on the map and the height value is also displayed.
  9. If an extrusion has been applied to a 3D object, then it will take the extrusion into account when calculating the results.
    10. measure height extrude

Measurement options

Distance and area can be measured by using the measurement and drawing tools. The measurement tool provides a quick method for obtaining measurements without the need of drawing a place. Whereas, the drawing tools allow you to retain measurements to save into your map for later use or for printing.