A three-dimensional (3D) measuring system and a method of determining a distance is provided. The 3D measuring system includes a display and an imager device. The imager device having a projector, a first camera and a second camera arranged in a predetermined geometric relationship, the first and second camera each having a photosensitive array with a plurality of pixels that transmit a signal in response to a wavelength of light. The projector projects a pattern that includes at least one element. The system further having one or more processors operably coupled to the display, the projector, and the first and second camera. The processors are responsive to computer instructions for determining a distance to the at least one element and changing an indicator on the display corresponding to the distance relative to a predetermined projector-to-object distance.