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Did you know that you can take a picture of the layout of an object, then later get its measurements? This wikiHow will teach you how to measure distance in a photo using Adobe's Photoshop on your computer.
Steps
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Open Photoshop. You'll find this in your Start Menu or Applications folder.
- If you don't have Photoshop, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial here . You can select a plan ranging from $9.99/mo to $52.99.mo.
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Open your photo in Photoshop. You can either go to File > Open within Photoshop, or you can right-click the file in your file browser and select Open with > Photoshop.Advertisement
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Select the Ruler Tool. If you don't see this in your Tools menu, click and hold down on the Eyedropper Tool.
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Click and drag from the starting point of your measurement to the end point. You'll see the ruler between the two points you've clicked. If you want to maintain 45 degree increments, press and hold the ⇧ Shift key as you drag the ruler.
- If you want to add another measurement angle, press Alt (Windows) or ⌥ Option (Mac) and drag your cursor to the other end point. In the case that you've already un-clicked from the last end-point, you can double-click the line to pick it up again. [1] X Research source
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QuestionHow do you measure distance in a photo? (This article doesn't actually cover that.)G InnesCommunity AnswerEvery fixed lens has a fixed angle of view. Using graph paper or other known target, take a picture. Now you have a reference image that can be overlaid on unknown targets. You will at least get the size as an angle-of-view (in degrees). For example, the moon or the sun is about 0.47 degrees in size. To convert into linear distance, it is necessary to know how far away the target is. Google maps may help for outdoor targets. Clues from geometry in the frame may also help establish distance. For example, a road may have painted markings or signage at known distances or of known size near the target. Sometimes it will be necessary to reconstruct the scene using 3-dimensional software.
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QuestionWhich drawing program should you use?G InnesCommunity AnswerThe freeware OpenOffice has drawing software that is compatible with the text editor and spreadsheet of the same suite. It is more modern than Microsoft Office software, especially using a trackpad. (Zooming is really easy and helps with detailed work.) You can save files in both OpenOffice and Microsoft formats.
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QuestionHOW DO YOU GET A REFERECE DISTANCE?G InnesCommunity AnswerEvery fixed lens has a fixed angle of view. Using graph paper or other known target, take a picture. Now you have a reference image that can be overlaid on unknown targets. You will at least get the size as an angle-of-view (in degrees). For example, the moon or the sun are about 0.47 degree in size. To convert into linear distance, it is necessary to know how far away the target is. Google maps may help for outdoor targets. Clues from geometry in the frame may also help establish distance. For example, a road may have painted markings or signage at known distances or of known size near the target.
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About This Article
Article Summary
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1. Open Photoshop.
2. Open your photo in Photoshop.
3. Select the Ruler Tool.
4. Click and drag from the starting point of your measurement to the end point.
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 39,903 times.
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