# Simplify ruler to a straight line

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/simplify-ruler-to-a-straight-line/8241>\
**Category:** Development\
**Created:** [August 30, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/simplify-ruler-to-a-straight-line/8241 "2019-08-30T18:07:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rprueckl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/rprueckl/32/4240_2.png) [@rprueckl](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/rprueckl)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/simplify-ruler-to-a-straight-line/8241/1 "2019-08-30T18:07:20Z")

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Hi,  
I want to use the ruler as a generic line for different purposes. I can simplify it to a degree where it nearly fits my requirements. Only the start and end markers (see picture, marked with yellow arrows) are still there and I cannot find where they are implemented. Can someone direct me to the code that is the basis for those noses?

 ![Bild%201](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/8/b/8b941809829895e3612b35fee8c2fb53234cac43.png)

As an alternative I also tried with vtkLineSource, however, I cannot set a thickness there and it is not rendered in the slice views (only in 3d views). vtkCylinderSource is also not optimal as the radius would have to be dependent on the camera position and the projection onto the slice views always results in a rectangle.

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**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2019, 6:57pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/simplify-ruler-to-a-straight-line/8241/2 "2019-08-30T18:57:04Z")

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You can use markups line in recent preview releases.

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**Author:** ![jcfr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/jcfr/32/17825_2.png) [@jcfr](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/jcfr)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/simplify-ruler-to-a-straight-line/8241/3 "2019-09-03T13:42:26Z")

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@Johan_Andruejol This may be useful

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**Author:** ![rprueckl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/rprueckl/32/4240_2.png) [@rprueckl](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/rprueckl)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/simplify-ruler-to-a-straight-line/8241/4 "2019-09-04T19:11:50Z")

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I will keep that in mind, however I have to work with a stable version for now. Thanks.