FR: Dimensioning Tool in Adobe InDesign Similar to Illustrator

[Ben-ind]

Does anyone know if Adobe InDesign will ever get a Dimensioning Tool like the one Illustrator has?

Thanks,

Ben

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[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Ben-ind,

I understand that this functionality is important to you, and I apologize for its unavailability at this time. Would you mind creating a UserVoice for this feature request [here on Adobe InDesign's UserVoice page](https://adobe.ly/4fHwSbb)? Adding your comments there will help us prioritize this request, and you’ll be notified of any updates.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We’d be happy to help.

Thanks,  
Abhishek Rao

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I am in what is probably a small subset of users who does use InDesign for (simple) illustration purposes. My skill level, both with ID and with "drawing" tools of every type, is sufficiently high that there's not much advantage to switching over to Illustrator or my workaday CAD program to do simple technical illustratiosn and the like; at most I create a secondary INDD doc and draw my little pictures and diagrams.

But that's nothing I'd recommend as primary use of the tool. For most users, selecting a tool better suited to such drawing, precise scaling, dimensioning, 3D modeling, etc. is a better choice.

Mark me down as pretty much a permanent "no" on adding features that add functionality best served by an outside resource, such as this. 🙂 It's a mark of professional growth to understand and reject Maslow's Hammer.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Without inside knowledge, I would say "no". InDesign is a page-layout software, not a drawing program. It has some Illustrator-like tools, but mainly to make page layout easier. Note the lack of photo-editing tools. Adobe likes to keep its programs separate that than the "Swiss Army knife" approach of everything in one program.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Why did you ask basiclly the same queston you asked a month ago?

[Ben-ind]

For more engagement.

Ben

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Doesn't work that way. It's a good way to get blocked.

[Ben-ind]

I got a nice reply from Abhishek suggesting that I make a feature request. That's pretty constructive, wouldn't you say?

Ben

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Yes, but you already did that. Adobe employees have to be nice no matter what! 😜

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

BTW, I know it's for Illustrator, but have you ever looked into the CADtools plugin?

[Ben-ind]

I made the feature request after seeing Abhishek's reply - but now I better understand yout frustration lol.

No, I havn't looked into the CADtools plugin for Illustrator. After working in Illustrator for a bit I don't see it as a good substitute for CorelDraw or InDesign.

Now, if InDesign had a CADtools plugin or any good dimensioning plugin... that is something I'd be interested in.