Display full version of the post: Dimension in Feet/Inches Problem

Mr Jolly
23.10.2014, 11:57
Hi AllThanks for looking at my problem! Right.. i use AutoCAD LT14, and dimension in mm as i'm based in the UK. I'm currently doing a project in the states and they require setting out dimensions in feet and inches (',"). When i change my dimension style to Architectual and precision 0'.0" 1/8, the dimension in model space turns to feet and inches. However.... a simple wall dimension of 200mm now becomes 16'.8". Which is 16 feet 18 inches yeah? how do i set the units/scale so that it should read 0.7 7/8 (which is 200mm)?Puzzled and up against it!Hope you can helpThanks in advanceChris 

philippe JOSEPH
23.10.2014, 14:03

Hello Mr Jolly, if you want to work in inches on a file drawn in mm it shouldn't be a problem if you set your units in inches or feet or an other unit ( command UNITS to set this ).
Eventually see my dwg file : FEET-METERS.dwg that you can find in the CAD Blocks library right here in the site, launch a search with FEET-METERS.
That file explains in fact the secondary units use but it's OK for your use also.
You can also work with different files to be copy/paste or inserted using different units provide the unit in each file is set and set on the good unit.
Of course if you work on a feet or inch file with the unit set on mm you must know that one inch is 25.4 mm and that one foot is 12 inches = 304.8 mm.
Please tell us if this helped or not.
philippe JOSEPH2014-10-23 14:10:17

John Connor
23.10.2014, 14:28
200mm is 0'-7 7/8" if you want to write it correctly.  Or you can shorten it to 7 7/8" leaving off the leading zero foot designation.The reason for the dimensional discrepancy is AutoCAD now thinks the line is 200 inches long (or 16'-8").  Note those of us on this side of the pond use a dash between the feet and inches not a dot.
John Connor2014-10-23 14:33:53

Mr Jolly
23.10.2014, 15:35
Thanks guys, i'm going to give it go! will report back.I think i've established that i need to re-scale a metric drawn drawing to inches.i'll report back. Jolly :) 

John Connor
23.10.2014, 15:39
You do know that it is possible to use alternate units when dimensioning in AutoCAD don't you?  You can set it up to display in both metric units and in feet/inches.  Check your Help file for further information.

Mr Jolly
23.10.2014, 16:21
Thanks again Guys... i've cracked it :)I went into Dimension Style, Modify, and put in the scale factor or 0.03937, the inverse of 25.4 (mm in an inch) and it worked a treat :) Didnt't have to scale down the whole drawing which i thought i would have to.Thanks for your professional help.Mr Jolly is in fact now... very Jolly :)