• Home
  • Training Books
  • Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
  • About
    • Contributors
    • Feedback
    • Contact
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookie Policy

CADnotes

CAD Tutorials and Best Practices for professionals and students

  • Featured
  • AutoCAD
    • AutoLISP
  • Revit
    • Revit Architecture Basic
    • Revit MEP Basic Tutorial
  • Inventor
  • MicroStation
    • MicroStation Basic Tutorial
  • CADnotes on YouTube
You are here: Home / AutoCAD / Convert AutoCAD units using -DWGUNITS

Convert AutoCAD units using -DWGUNITS

March 19, 2013 by Edwin Prakoso 18 Comments

I posted about converting AutoCAD drawing unit from one unit to other unit. The method I use in that post was to create a new drawing, then insert your old drawing to that new drawing. Your drawing will adjusted and use the new settings.

There is another method that you can use: using command line.

The reason why I didn’t mention about it before is because it’s not documented. Some novice and occasional users probably not familiar with all the options.

Building a house

However, converting the unit using command line is a popular method, so I thought I should share this with you.

Converting DWG units

The command to convert the unit is –DWGUNITS. Notice the –  prefix. You have to include it or AutoCAD will not recognize the command.

Now all you have to do is to set the new setups. Below is the questions sequence:

Command: -DWGUNITS

Drawing units:
1. Inches
2. Feet
3. Millimeters
4. Centimeters
5. Decimeters
6. Meters
Unit for length <3>: 1

Drawing unit display formats:
1. Scientific
2. Decimal
3. Engineering
4. Architectural
5. Fractional
Linear display format <4>:

Architectural linear display precision formats:
0. 1″
1. 1/2″
2. 1/4″
3. 1/8″
4. 1/16″
5. 1/32″
6. 1/64″
7. 1/128″
8. 1/256″
Linear display precision <4>:

Scale objects from other drawings upon insert? [Yes/No] <Yes>:

Match INSUNITS to drawing units? [Yes/No] <Yes>:

** WARNING: you have changed the unit for this drawing database.  **
** All new objects will be drawn according to the new unit, but   **
** existing objects will not change size unless you specifically  **
** ask to have automatic scaling occur.                           **

Scale objects in current drawing to reflect change in units? [Yes/No] <Yes>:

Include objects in Paper Space? [Yes/No] <Yes>:

Scaling the entire database…
Scaling AecDbObject(s)…
Scaling entities in Model Space…
Scaling entities in Paper Space…
Scaling entities in Paper Space…

So which one do you think is better? I prefer inserting the drawing, but you may find this is more convenient way for you.

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Solution Consultant in Datech Solutions, Tech Data Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn. If you want to have my new articles sent to your email inbox, you can subscribe to the newsletter.

Filed Under: AutoCAD Tagged With: autocad tips, convert unit, dwgunits

1 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

18 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
thajmul hussain
thajmul hussain
6 years ago

hi

i had followed your instruction but again i facing same problem about dwgunits. when i save in meter then again opening autocad comes inches. i have really disgusting about this issue(dwgunits). how can i solve this problem? could you solve me?i hope you will understand.

best regards

hussain

0
Reply
ashfaque ansari
ashfaque ansari
6 years ago

i selected option 4.
after converting from mm to inch, the dimension is in inch but, the dimension style is in decimal.
why is it not in architecture

0
Reply
« Previous 1 2
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz
Join Our Free Email Newsletter
  Thank you for Signing Up
Please correct the marked field(s) below.
1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2

Featured

What’s New in Revit 2021 – part 1: General Enhancements

Revit 2021 has been released! See what’s new in part 1. More to come!

Recent Articles

  • Revit 2024.1 Update is Released
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: Bending Detail
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: The Dark Theme

Advertisement

New on CADnotes

  • Revit 2024.1 Update is Released
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: Bending Detail
  • What’s New in Revit 2024: The Dark Theme
  • Autodesk Build: Using Assets for Progress Tracking
  • My Home on the ACC Unified Platform

Meet the Authors

avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for
avatar for

Get Connected

CADnotes on FacebookCADnotes on InstagramCADnotes on TwitterCADnotes on YouTube

© 2009 – 2023 CADnotes · Feedback · Privacy Policy · Become an affiliate

wpDiscuz