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Convert drawing unites between imperial


and metric
By: Support
Dec 11 2017

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Issue:
A drawing needs to be converted from Imperial to Metric, or from Metric to imperial.

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Use the INSERT command:
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1. Start a brand new blank drawing using a template that is in the target units (for
example acadiso.dwt for Metric or acad.dwt for Imperial).
2. On the command line, enter INSERT.
3. In the Insert dialog, browse to the original DWG file (that is in the units that need to be
converted
4. Check the box for 'Explode'.
5. Click OK and specify an insertion point.

Use the SCALE command:

1. On the command line, enter SCALE.


2. At the Select objects prompt, enter all.
3. Press Enter to exit the Select objects prompt.
4. Enter 0,0 for the base point.
5. When prompted for scale factor, enter the appropriate scale factor for the units to be
converted (see the list below).

For the SCALE command method, adjust the dimension text and arrowhead height in the
dimension style as needed.

Scale Factors:

Inches to Millimeters = 25.4


Millimeters to Inches = 0.0393701

Inches to Centimeters = 2.54


Centimeters to Inches = 0.393701

Feet to Millimeters = 304.8


Millimeters to Feet = 0.00328084

Feet to Centimeters = 30.48


Centimeters to Feet = 0.0328084

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Core/files/GUID-A54B17F4-2EB5-4C62-A7C5-E3B2265FAB68.htm)
To Convert a Drawing from Inches to Centimeters
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