How to Use Different Units from the Drawing on Your AutoCAD Dimension Style

If you work with the metric unit, you usually work with millimeters. At least the default template available is in millimeter. However, sometimes it makes more sense if you show the dimension in meter. For example, when showing building dimensions, many people are more comfortable to see it in meter.

We will show you how you can draw in millimeter but showing the dimension in meter.

Working with Dimension Style

You can change the settings in the dimension style. Type DIMSTYLE then press Enter. Select your Dimension Style then click Modify.

Changing Scale Factor

In the Primary Units tab, Measurement scale group, change the Scale factor to 0.001. It’s the conversion factor from mm to m.

Now when you draw 3000 in your drawing, the dimension will show 3.

Using m as Suffix

You can add m as the dimension suffix.

It means you can see m at the end of your dimension value.

Adding m as Decimal Separator

Now let’s take it a bit further. Can we show 2m50cm or 1m25cm instead of 2.5m or 1.25m?

You can use m as decimal separator and limit the decimal number to 0.00. Because if you want to show in cm, you only can show two decimal digits.

First, let’s open the Dimension Style again.

Make sure the Linear Dimensions> Precision is 0.00.

Turn of the Zero Suppression> Trailing. By turning off this option, the two decimal numbers will always show even they are 0.

If you check in the Decimal separator list, you only can choose period, comma, or space. You can’t type a custom separator. But there is a workaround.

Close all dialogs then select a dimension. Press Ctrl + 1 to open Properties Palette.

In the Properties Palette, find the Primary Units category. In that group, change the Decimal separator to m and change the Dim suffix to cm.

Now you can see the dimension changed.

Creating Dimension Style from an Existing Dimension

However, we only change appearance for one dimension. We want to make a dimension style from that dimension.

Select the dimension then right click. In the context menu, choose Dimension Style> Save as New Style.

Now you can use it as a dimension style. All of your dimension will have two decimal places, m as decimal separator, and cm as the suffix!

The Instruction Video

You can also watch how to create and use the dimension in this video.

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 also active in Autodesk discussion forum.
I'm an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) for Revit Architecture and AutoCAD. I'm also a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, appreciation for individuals who give contribution to Autodesk community.
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