Measure up your world

Get a rough idea of distance with Apple’s own augmented reality app

There’s a brand-new app in iOS 12, Measure, and it’s available on iphone and ipad. The app uses Apple’s augmented reality (AR) tech, ARKit 2, to measure the distance between points on flat surfaces.

Third-party apps beat Apple to this task when ARKit was first introduced, but the point is Apple now bundles an AR app with iOS.

Note that while the app can measure distances between points on flat surfaces, it can’t be used to measure the length of an arc on a curved surface, say.

To see more of what ARKit can do – at no cost – go to developer. apple.com/arkit/gallery in Safari. Browse a sample of 3D models, put them on surfaces in the camera’s view, then pinch to resize, twist to turn, and move around them.

1 Find a surface

You’ll be asked to move your device around, so the app can find flat surfaces in the view. A circular overlay will align with the detected plane and follow your aim.

2 Measure things

Tap the + to mark a point in space, point the camera elsewhere on the surface – distance is shown as you do – and tap + again to record the measurement.

3 Take note

The app will snap to an existing point if you aim it nearby. The arrow undoes a step, Clear starts over, and the other white circle takes a photo of the current view.