Changing dimension units in AutoCAD is a simple and essential task for any designer or drafter. It allows you to work in the units that are most convenient for your project, whether it’s millimeters (mm), meters (m), or any other unit of measurement. In this tutorial, we will focus on changing dimension units from millimeters to meters in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Access the Drawing Units
To change dimension units, we first need to access the Drawing Units dialogue box. There are several ways to do this:
- Method 1: Type “UNITS” in the command line and press Enter.
- Method 2: Click on the “Format” menu at the top of the AutoCAD window, then select “Units” from the drop-down menu.
Step 2: Set Length Type
Once you have opened the Drawing Units dialogue box, you will see various options. The first option is “Length Type.” Here’s what you need to do:
- Select the “Architectural” option from the drop-down menu.
- Type “M” (without quotes) in the “Insertion Scale Factor” field.
The “Architectural” option ensures that dimensions are displayed as feet and inches. By typing “M” in the “Insertion Scale Factor” field, we indicate that we want dimensions to be converted to meters.
Step 3: Apply Changes
Now that you have set the desired length type and insertion scale factor, it’s time to apply these changes:
- Click on the “OK” button to save the changes and close the Drawing Units dialogue box.
Step 4: Verify the Changes
To ensure that the dimension units have been successfully changed from millimeters to meters, you can create a new dimension or edit an existing one. The displayed units should now be in meters instead of millimeters.
Note: It’s important to remember that changing dimension units doesn’t affect the actual size of objects in your drawing. It only affects how dimensions are displayed.
In Conclusion
Changing dimension units from millimeters to meters in AutoCAD is a straightforward process. By accessing the Drawing Units dialogue box, setting the length type to “Architectural,” and specifying “M” as the insertion scale factor, you can easily work with dimensions in meters.
Remember to apply the changes and verify their effect on your dimensions. Happy designing!