It is important to know not only the distance between the two points but also the angle of the pipe with respect to the coordinate axes during creating and modifying a model. I would like you to add another item to the Tools menu called Angle Measurement or to extend the existing Measure Distance menu with angle measurement. This extension could be optional, the angle between the pipe axis and the coordinate axes would be calculated after filling in the check mark. Therefore, three new items (the angle alpha, beta and gamma) would be added to the existing three items (dx, dy, dz) in the result window.
PM Note - Enhancement 96025:Ability to measure angles of piping
Would a show option that shows all angles in model be a solution that would work for you. Measuring tool would only work on a single angle, show would work on all.
With some of the new requirements with B31J and angles (i.e. <=45 deg) for laterals, to ensure that it is easy to measure the angles, especially since AutoPIPE doesn't include 45 deg in their B31J compliance only less than 45, this would be really handy to for the stress engineer to ensure the intended model is behaving correctly for the expected SIFs and Flexibility factors associated with B31J.
We submitted this as an idea back in 2009 as well and could be really handy when needed.