Patmo141 is working on a Python script to calculate distances on object meshes (so actually 'following' the surface). He incorporated it into an add-on that will allow you to measure the shortest path between two points on any object (see second video).
Script overview
Geodesic Path operator
4 Comments
Nice utility. I like seeing such practical multi-useful functions in Blender.
This is brilliant Bart! Just wondering if there's a way to find/print the distance (in whatever units)?
Perhaps it's best to ask that on the linked Blender Artists topic?
Sure thing!