AutoCAD Units

Hi,

This may be a very simple question but...

We have a number of drawings from 3rd parties that have different unit
setups. For example, in one drawing 1 unit = 1 meter, in another 1
unit = 1 mm, in another, 1 unit = 1 micron...

We use the ID and DIST commands a lot in AutoCAD 2007 LT for measuring
distances for use in developing some visualisations. It would be much
easier if, when using the DIST command, the result was always returned
in (say) meters. The UNITS command does not allow this kind of
control, and there is no clear way of being able to achieve this
without actually rescaling the whole drawing, which is not really what
we want to do. Instead, we just want to be able to read/refer to
measurements in a more sensible/unified way, rather than having to do
in-the-head calculations to divide or multiply by 10/100/1000/1000,000
all the time.

So, is this possible? What is the best/easiest/most efficient way to
do this?

Hopefully someone will be able to help?

Thanks,

Andy

 

Customize the functionality in a lisp that translates the DIST output
depending on the UNITS setting. One of the greatest thing about acad is the
ability to design custom routines for yourself that speed up your work.
Anyone who doesn't take advantage of this isn't being nearly as productive
as they could be. (I've made dozens of these things over the years. Many
only make sense in my protocol, but others are universal. They're on my
site.)

 

Hi Andrew

I think the easiest way would be do create a dimension style for each
conversion u want to make and in that you can set it up such that it
shows you that calculated correct measurement!

Then whenever you want to measure just make that dimension style
current and use it.
Lemme know if this works out for u!

-Rutu

 

First of all, I'd like to distinguish two possible problems.

First is that the drawing itself is drawn with scale factor (case when
people who made it aren't competetive in AutoCAD). Then I don't know other
solution then scaling the drawing.

Second, as you mentioned, is when drawings have different unit setups. It is
easy to change it in Format > Units... and under Insertion Scale to change
the value in Units to scale inserted content field. You should just decide
wich unit you'd like to be the reference, and set in all drawings the same
one. It seems to be the pretty simple procedure (about four mouse clicks)
so it's not too annoying to repeat it before opening every single drawing.
Such a problem I have when getting drawings from different people, and try
to use them in all of mine drawings that are all set in meters.

The point is that the unit you set on the Units to scale inserted content
menu actually becomes the mesuring unit witch are the drawing units
representing.

Again, the different thing is if there is a problem of drawings drawn
already in some specific scale. Namely, the concept should be based on
making the drawing in model space using the scale factor 1:1.

 

The OP said he doesn't want to go through this process but wants to query
the model , regardless of the unit sertup in the drawing, and have the
answers always come put in a certain unit system. So far he has a custom
lisp solution from me, and a dimension style with scaling factor approach
from rutu. Rutu's solution could be up and running in minutes, but isn't
quite what the OP said he wanted....mine would take a lisp-novice several
days to do.