How to Set Default Units in AutoCAD 2020?

Understanding Default Units in AutoCAD 2025

Setting the default units in AutoCAD is crucial for ensuring accurate measurements and scaling in your drawings. This article guides you through the process of establishing your preferred units.

Steps to Set Default Units

1. Access the Command Line
   Begin by entering the command AECADSETUP into the command line. This command opens the Drawing Setup dialog, which is where you’ll configure your unit settings.

2. Navigate to the Units Tab
   Once the Drawing Setup dialog appears, locate and click on the "Units" tab. Here, you can select your drawing units. Options typically include architectural, decimal, engineering, fractional, and scientific. Choose the unit type that best suits your project needs.

3. Adjust Precision and Angle Settings
   After selecting your unit type, you can adjust the precision levels to ensure your measurements fit your requirements. If angle measurements are relevant to your work, set these according to your preferences as well.

4. Edit the Scale List
   For more customization, switch to the "Scale" tab. You will find the option to edit the scale list, which can be vital if you are working with different drawing units or scales. Click on the "Edit Scale List" button.

5. Add New Scales if Necessary
   If you need additional scales, click “Add,” and provide a name for the new scale. Define its properties to ensure it aligns with your project’s needs.

Confirming the Changes

To ensure your changes are in effect, it’s essential to verify your units after making adjustments:

1. Reopen the Drawing Setup
   Enter AECADSETUP again to revisit your settings.

2. Check Unit Configuration
   Confirm that your selected units, precision, and any new scales appear as intended.

3. Save Your Settings
   Click “OK” to save your changes, ensuring they are applied to the current and future drawings.

Troubleshooting Unit Changes

If you encounter difficulty changing the units or if the settings don’t seem to save:

• Use the command UNITS from the command line to open the Units dialog directly.
• Ensure that the insertion scale and unit settings are correctly set to your preferences. You might also need to check for any existing layers that could override these settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the default unit in AutoCAD?
   By default, AutoCAD uses inches for its measurements unless set to a different unit during the drawing setup.

2. Can I change units on an existing drawing?
   Yes, you can change the units on an existing drawing using the UNITS command, but be aware that it might affect how objects are scaled.

3. What should I do if my units do not update when importing objects from other drawings?
   Ensure the "Scale Objects Inserted from Other Drawings" option is enabled in the Units settings to automatically adjust their scale according to your current drawing’s unit settings.