How to inspect part geometry and dimensions in Sawdust

Published on October 19, 2026

Select any workpiece in the 3D scene to compare its top, edge, end, isometric, and dimensioned plan views in the part inspector.

Orbiting the full assembly shows how a project fits together, but checking a joinery shoulder, bevel, or miter length is much easier when you isolate the single workpiece. Clicking any part in the workshop opens its part inspector in the upper-right corner of the canvas.

Before continuing, review How to start your first woodworking project in Sawdust if you have not added stock to a project yet.

Compare orthographic and isometric views

1. Click the part in the 3D scene (or select it in the Build rail) to open the floating inspector card.
2. Check the header to confirm the part name and its bounding dimensions (for example, 48" x 5 1/2" x 1 1/2").
3. Switch between top, edge, and end to inspect the board straight down each axis without perspective distortion.
4. Select iso to see how cuts on different faces meet in three dimensions.
5. Select plan to view the orthographic shop drawing with explicit length, width, and thickness callouts.

What to check before changing a cut

A bevel or compound miter can look square from one viewing direction while angling across another face, and a dado or rabbet on the underside will not appear in an unprojected top view. Check at least two orthogonal tabs (top plus edge or end) alongside plan before editing the operation that created the cut.

For mitered parts, compare the long-point and short-point callouts on the plan tab so you know which edge the saw fence is measuring against. If you want to see the exact sequence of saw setups that produced the piece, click Show me how at the bottom of the inspector card.

Continue with How to watch a part's fabrication with Show me how and How to read a Sawdust cut sheet.