How to Change Units in AutoCAD Mechanical 2018

Understanding Units in AutoCAD Mechanical 2018

AutoCAD Mechanical 2018 allows users to work with different measurement units, tailoring the design environment to specific requirements. To effectively handle drawings, you may need to change the units from one type to another. Follow these detailed steps to ensure you set your units correctly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change Units

1. Open Your Drawing: Launch AutoCAD Mechanical 2018 and create a new drawing or open an existing one.

2. Access Drawing Setup: Type UNITS into the command line and press Enter. This will bring up the Drawing Units dialog box, where you can adjust various settings related to measurement.

3. Select Unit Type:

   • In the dialog box, you will see options for different unit types. Choose "Millimeters," "Centimeters," "Inches," or "Feet" depending on your project requirements.
   • If you wish to work in metric measurements, select "Millimeters" or "Centimeters". For imperial measurements, opt for "Inches" or "Feet".

4. Adjust Precision: Below the unit type selection, you will see a Precision dropdown. Adjust this setting based on the level of accuracy required for your drawings.

5. Check Insertion Scale: In the same dialog, ensure that your Insertion scale matches your unit choice. This governs how block references and drawings are scaled when inserted.

6. Set Default Units: If you want these settings to apply to all new drawings, check the box labeled "Save as Default" before clicking OK. This ensures that every new drawing you create adopts the unit settings you just configured.

Changing Units During Drawing

For situations when you need to switch units mid-project, follow these succinct steps:

1. Click on the Application menu located at the top left corner of the AutoCAD window.
2. Navigate to the "Drawing Utilities" section and select "Units." This will open the Drawing Units dialog.
3. From here, select a different linear unit type from the Length Type dropdown menu. Adjust the properties, such as precision, if necessary.
4. Click OK to apply changes to your current drawing.

Checking Current Units in Your Project

To verify which units are currently set for a drawing:

1. Access the Application menu again, and choose "Drawing Utilities" followed by "Units."
2. This will pull up the Drawing Units dialog box, allowing you to see and confirm the current settings and make any necessary adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert measurements from inches to centimeters in AutoCAD?
To convert units, you can use a scale factor. For instance, entering a scale of 2.54 allows you to convert inches to centimeters. Conversely, use 0.3937 to convert centimeters back to inches.

Can I change the dimension style in AutoCAD Mechanical 2018?
Yes, to adjust the dimension style, access the Dimension Style Manager by clicking the Annotation tab on the Home panel. From there, select the style you want to alter and click Modify to make your changes.

What are the default units set in AutoCAD?
The default units in AutoCAD are typically set to inches. However, this can vary based on the template you choose when starting a new drawing. Users can easily customize these settings to meet specific project needs.