How to Set Metric Units in AutoCAD

To set metric units in AutoCAD, follow these detailed steps to ensure your drawings are configured correctly for metric measurements.

Accessing the Drawing Setup

1. Launch AutoCAD and open your existing drawing or start a new one.
2. Navigate to the command line and input UNITS, then press Enter. Alternatively, access the Drawing Setup by clicking on the Utilities menu.

Selecting Metric Units

1. A dialog box will appear showing various options. Locate the Units tab within this window.
2. Under the Drawing Units section, select a metric option from the dropdown menu. Common choices include:
   • Millimeters
   • Centimeters
   • Meters

Configuring Additional Settings

1. Adjust the Precision setting to dictate how many decimal places will be displayed in your measurements. This can range from no decimal places to several, depending on your needs.
2. If you intend to insert objects from other drawings with different units, check the option labeled Scale Objects Inserted from Other Drawings. This ensures compatibility with other metrics.

Saving Your Settings

1. After making all necessary adjustments, click OK to apply the changes and exit the dialog.

Verifying Unit Changes

1. To confirm that your settings have been applied, use the command line to input MEASURE and select the option to check your measurement units.
2. Draw a simple line segment and measure it to ensure that dimensions are being recorded in the selected metric units.

Utilizing Model Space with Metric Units

1. With the units set, you can now proceed to create models in model space. If you’re preparing a layout for printing or sharing, manage the scaling to suit metric output in the Layout tab.

Adjusting Paper Space Scale

1. If working with viewports in paper space, select the viewport and adjust its annotation scale through the status bar. Choose a suitable metric scale from the options provided to align with the models created.

FAQ

What is the default unit in AutoCAD?
The default unit in AutoCAD is typically inches, but this can be changed to metric options such as millimeters or centimeters by following the setup instructions.

How can I convert existing drawings from imperial to metric?
To convert an existing drawing, first change the units to metric in the Drawing Setup as described. Then, use the Scale command to adjust the size of the objects proportionately to fit the new unit system.

What common conversions should I be aware of when using metric units?
Familiarize yourself with basic conversions, such as:

• 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters
• 1 foot = 0.3048 meters
  This knowledge helps ensure accurate measurements during the drafting process.