Changing Units in AutoCAD Mechanical 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding Units in AutoCAD
Before making changes to the units in AutoCAD, it’s essential to grasp the different unit types available. The primary unit systems include Imperial (inches and feet), Metric (millimeters and meters), and architectural. Changing units can impact the measurements and scaling of your drawings, hence understanding each type is crucial.
Step 1: Starting a New Drawing
To begin the modification process, open AutoCAD Mechanical 2019 and initiate a new, blank drawing. This ensures that any changes made to units do not affect existing projects.
Step 2: Accessing the Units Command
On the command line at the bottom of the screen, type the command UNITS and press Enter. This action opens the Drawing Units dialog box, where various unit-related settings are managed.
Step 3: Modifying Drawing Units
Within the Drawing Units dialog box, you will notice several options. Locate the drop-down menu for “Type” and select the desired unit system. For instance, if you want to change to metric units, select “Millimeters” or “Meters.”
Step 4: Setting the Insertion Scale
Next, focus on the “Insertion scale” section. This will define how units are interpreted when you insert objects into the drawing. For a metric-based layout, choose “Millimeters” or “Meters” based on your previous selection.
Step 5: Saving as Default
To avoid repeating these steps in future drawings, check the box that says “Save as Default.” This will ensure that your current settings are applied to new projects automatically.
Step 6: Confirming and Exiting
After making your choices, click the “OK” button to apply the changes and exit the dialog box. The new unit settings will be activated and reflected in your drawing.
Step 7: Adjusting Object Properties
It’s also important to check the properties of existing objects, especially if they were created with a different unit setting. Use the Properties panel to adjust dimensions as necessary to maintain the integrity of your design.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I view the current units in AutoCAD?
To check the current unit settings, use the UNITS command. This will bring up the Drawing Units dialog box, displaying your existing configurations.
2. Can AutoCAD automatically convert dimensions when changing units?
AutoCAD will typically maintain the size of existing objects but will interpret them according to the new units. Manual adjustments may be required to update dimensions to match the new unit system.
3. Is it possible to switch between different unit systems for the same drawing?
Yes, you can change units at any time using the UNITS command. However, ensure you adjust dimensions accordingly to align with the new settings, as the interpretation of existing dimensions will change.
