RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Units conversion in CAD programs

in autocad all you need to do is change the "measurement scale factor" to
0.0393700787401574803149606299212598

i have some drawings of artwork that i have drawn in mm, but needed to
dimension in dual dimensions and print in inches.
i did this by drawing it in mm, dimensioning in dual with inches and mm,
with a scale factor of 0.0393700787401574803149606299212598 to get you
inches, and the second scale factor at 1, and print with a custom units of
25.4 drawing units equals 1". most other drawing packages i have used use a
similar system.
in autocad, when you change the measurement scale factor for an individual
dimension style (you can have many different styles) it automatically
updates all the dimensions of that style.
IF you want to make all of your dimensions to one style use a dim <enter>
update <enter> all <enter>
and that will set all your dimensions to the current style, using the
current measurement scale factor
like i said before, the units are essentially meaningless, they are only
there for clarity, and typically dont mean anything! try not to think of
units in inches and mm, just as units, a fundimental building block... and
give them a definition in your mind when you actually have to do something
with them (dimension, print..etc.... machine...)
good luck---Dave L.

-----Original Message-----
From: James Owens [mailto:wotisname@...]
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 11:59 AM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Units conversion in CAD programs


Hi,

I think the question was, can an existing drawing be redrawn automatically
from metric to imperial. I don't think so. I usually just change the units
in the options and then re-dimension. This only takes a few minutes unless
it is a huge drawing.

Regards,

Terry