How to Change Units of Measurement in AutoCAD 2018?

Changing Units of Measurement in AutoCAD 2018

AutoCAD allows users to work in various units of measurement, tailored to specific project needs. Adjusting these units is crucial for ensuring accuracy in designs. This guide presents clear steps to modify measurement units in AutoCAD 2018.

Switching from Inches to Millimeters

1. Access Dimension Style:

   • Navigate to the Dimension menu located in the ribbon interface.
   • Select the "Style" option to open the Dimension Style Manager.

2. Create a New Dimension Style:

   • Click the "New" button within the Dimension Style Manager.
   • In the dialog box that appears, select a name for your new style.
   • Set the "Start With Style" to an existing style and choose "Use For" as All Dimensions.
3. Configure Primary Units:
   • Access the "Primary Units" tab.
   • In the Suffix box, type "mm" to denote millimeters.
   • Set the Scale Factor to 25.4, considering there are 25.4 millimeters in one inch.

Converting Millimeters to Feet

1. Access the Dimension Menu:

   • Click on the Dimension menu and select "Style" to reach the Dimension Style Manager.

2. Create a New Style:

   • Click on "New" to initiate the creation of a new dimension style.
   • Assign a name, select a starting style, and confirm that it applies to all dimensions.
3. Adjust Primary Units:
   • Within the Primary Units tab, enter "inches" for the Suffix.
   • Input the Scale Factor as 25.4, similar to the previous section, for correct conversions.

Changing Units to Meters

1. Open a New Drawing:

   • Launch either AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP and start a blank drawing.

2. Enter the UNITS Command:

   • Type UNITS in the command line to open the Drawing Setup dialog.
3. Set Units:
   • Change the Units option to either "Millimeters" or "Meters," depending on your needs.
   • To ensure this setting is applied in future drawings, tick the "Save as Default" option.

Modifying Units to Meters or Millimeters

1. Utilize the Format Menu:

   • Click on the Format menu and select "Drawing Setup."
   • In the dialog that appears, switch to the Units tab.
2. Adjust Drawing Units:
   • Change the Drawing Units from Millimeter to Meter as required.
   • Click "OK" to finalize your adjustments.

Setting Units and Limits

1. Open AutoCAD:

   • Start the AutoCAD program to access your drawings.

2. Use the LIMITS Command:

   • In the command line, type LIMITS and press Enter.
   • Input the coordinates for the lower-left corner, such as (0,0), and then specify the upper-right corner, like (200,200).
3. Complete the Setup:
   • Enter "Z" to ensure the Z-coordinate is set correctly.

Changing Default Units in AutoCAD

1. Enter AECDWGSETUP Command:

   • Input AECDWGSETUP in the command line to open the Drawing Setup menu.
2. Adjust Units Settings:
   • Click the Units tab to select your preferred Drawing Units, Precision, and Angle.
   • If you want to customize the scale, switch to the Scale tab for additional settings.

FAQ

How do I check what units AutoCAD is currently using?
To determine the current units in AutoCAD, go to the Application menu in the upper left corner, select Drawing Utilities, and then click on Units. Alternatively, you can type UN in the command line to access the Drawing Units window directly.

Can I convert measurements manually without changing the units?
Yes, scaling objects manually is possible. You can select the objects you wish to scale, use the SCALE command, and then specify a scale factor to adjust your measurements accordingly.

What is the default unit system in AutoCAD 2025?
The default unit system in AutoCAD is typically set to inches. However, this can vary based on the template used when starting new drawings. AutoCAD allows for automatic conversion between inches and feet when necessary.