Methods and systems for accurately determining dimensional accuracy of a complex three dimensional shape are disclosed. The invention in one respect includes determining at least a non-critical feature and at least a critical feature of the 3-D component, determining a first datum using at least the non-critical feature, aligning the first datum to at least a portion of a reference shape, determining a second datum corresponding to the critical feature subsequent to the aligning, and determining the dimensional accuracy of the 3-D component by comparing the second datum to another portion of the reference shape.