3D printing makes virtual things real. Sometimes those things need to match back up with an object in the real world after they are made, such as a lid for a can or a joint between two poles. Sometimes you're printing a replacement for a broken part. So it is often very important that, when planning, accurate measurements are made and applied to the modeling of a 3D object.

Some measuring tools you may already have around your house. Some may require you to buy special tools you don't have but should probably consider getting.

In this chapter, we will cover:

Measuring with a ruler

Most homes have a ruler on hand that can, in many cases, provide relatively accurate measurements. For irregularly shaped objects, it may be difficult to use a ruler. But if the object is flat on at least two adjacent sides, rulers work fine in a pinch:

Simply lay the object on its flat edge, move one side to line up with the 0 mark, and measure the other side of the object. It's not the best method for measuring complex shapes, but sometimes a ruler can be enough.