When you build a model in Midas Civil, you often need to check the distance between two nodes, for example to confirm a span, a column height, or a spacing. Here are three simple ways to do it.
Method 1: Use the Measure tool
This is the quickest way.
- Go to Tools > Measure > Distance.
- Click the first node in the model window.
- Click the second node.
Midas Civil shows the straight-line distance between the two nodes, along with the difference in the X, Y, and Z directions.
Method 2: Calculate from node coordinates
- Open the Node Table (Tables > Structure Tables > Node).
- Note the X, Y, Z coordinates of both nodes.
- Use this formula:
Distance = √[(X₂ − X₁)² + (Y₂ − Y₁)² + (Z₂ − Z₁)²]
Example: Node 1 at (0, 0, 0) and Node 2 at (3, 4, 0):
Distance = √(3² + 4² + 0²) = √25 = 5 m
Method 3: Check the element length
If a straight beam element connects the two nodes, the node distance equals the element length. This is a handy way to confirm your element geometry.
Tips
- Check your units. The current unit system is shown at the bottom right of the screen (for example KN and m). Make sure you are reading meters, not millimeters.
- Coordinate system doesn’t matter. The distance between two points is the same in the global or a user-defined coordinate system.
- Watch for offsets. If an element has an end offset or a rigid link, the node distance may differ from the effective member length.
Which of these methods do you use in your models?
