Understanding Units in AutoCAD
Changing units within AutoCAD requires careful steps to ensure your drawing reflects the correct measurements. Below is a guide on how to modify and set units effectively in AutoCAD.
Changing Units from Inches to Centimeters
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Access the Scale Tool
Navigate to the Home tab and locate the Modify panel. Click on the Scale option. -
Select Objects
When prompted to select objects, type "all" and press Enter. This action selects all entities in the drawing. -
Choose the Base Point
Specify a base point for scaling. You can use *0,0 (the origin) as your base point. - Set the Scale Factor
Enter a scale factor of 2.54 to convert inches to centimeters. Press Enter to apply the scaling.
Setting or Changing Units in a Drawing
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Open Application Menu
Click on the Application button in the top left corner of the AutoCAD interface. -
Access Drawing Utilities
From the menu, select the “Units” option found in the Drawing Utilities section. - Select Unit Type
In the Drawing Units dialog, choose your preferred linear unit type from the Length Type drop-down menu. This defines how measurements will be displayed and measured in the drawing.
Changing Default Units in AutoCAD 2025
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Open Drawing Setup
Click on Utilities and select Drawing Setup. -
Choose the Units Tab
Access the Units tab within the Drawing Setup dialog. -
Select Desired Units
Within the Drawing Units section, pick your desired units from the list of available options, including both metric and imperial units. - Save as Default
If you want these units to be the default for new drawings, check the box for “Save as Default.”
Converting Units to Millimeters
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Open New Drawing
Launch AutoCAD, preferably including AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP, and start with a new blank drawing. -
Enter UNITS Command
Type "UNITS" in the command line to open the Drawing Setup dialog. -
Change Units to Millimeters
In the units options, select "Millimeters" or "Meters" as per your requirement. - Set Default Option
Opt to check the “Save as Default” box if you want these settings for future drawings.
Checking the Current Units in AutoCAD
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Access the Application Menu
Click the icon in the top left corner to open the Application menu. -
Select Units
Choose the “Drawing Utilities” option and then “Units” or simply type "UN" in the command line. - View Settings
The Drawing Units window will show the currently defined unit settings based on the active template.
Changing Layout Scale in AutoCAD
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Select Viewport
Click on the layout viewport that you wish to adjust. -
Open Properties
Right-click and select Properties from the context menu. -
Unlock Display
If the display is locked, click on “Display Locked” and choose “No” to unlock it. - Modify Standard Scale
In the Properties palette, find the Standard Scale option and select a new scale from the available options to apply it to that viewport.
Changing Dimensions to Feet and Inches
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Access Dimension Style Manager
Type "DIMSTY" in the command line to open the Dimension Style Manager. -
Choose Dimension Style
Select the dimension style currently in use from the list. -
Modify Settings
Click on the Modify button, navigate to the Primary Units tab, and set the Unit Format to Decimal. - Set Precision and Suffix
For whole inches, set the Precision to 0 and add the inch symbol (“) in the Suffix box. Finally, click OK to apply the changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I convert from metric to imperial units in AutoCAD?
To convert from metric to imperial, follow a similar process as described above, choosing the suitable imperial units in the Drawing Units dialog or using the scale factor as necessary.
Q2: Can I set my own custom units for AutoCAD?
Yes, by using the Drawing Setup dialog, you can define custom units by adjusting the settings and saving them.
Q3: How do I reset AutoCAD units to defaults?
To reset units to default settings, open the Drawing Units dialog and select the default unit type for the software, usually inches for imperial or millimeters for metric, then click OK.
