Re: DXF Files and Autocad

Ben Ritter · 23 Jan 2008, 04:33

Hello everyone,

I'm looking or suggestions on where to look in Autocad to change how it opens .dxf files, specifically, how the drawing units are determined.

When I open a particular .dxf file, the drawing units become millimeters. When a co-worker opens the same file, it comes in as feet and inches, which is what I want.

I can eventually get the units and all object distances converted to feet/inches, but that process is not as clean. I'm running 2006.

Thanks for your help.

Ben

Krisidious · 23 Jan 2008, 05:14

units are not automatically converted in autocad per program but per file.

each file should have it's own units. I could be wrong but I would doubt that you two are opening the same file saved on the same machine, he has changed the units, or your speaking of dimensioning and not the actual drawing units.

under the format menu on top of AutoCAD. you'll find two areas of help.

first and foremost is the actual units of the drawing you are viewing which is found under "Drawing Setup"

the other is "Dimension Styles" this is where you set up how you will dimension your drawing, what unit tolerances, text styles and sizes and such.

I hope this helps, if not let us know...

also I wanted to add that DXF files are flat or 2D files that lack the colors, line-types and fonts that the DWG carries.

Ben Ritter · 23 Jan 2008, 05:15

Kristoff,

I appreciate your suggestions.

The other guy is opening the same .dxf file, I watched him do so. After opening the file, we go to Drawing Properties and the Units are shown as Feet on his computer, Millimeters on mine.

Thanks again, Ben

Ben Ritter · 23 Jan 2008, 05:16

I meant to say Drawing Setup, not Drawing Properties.

PeterCharles · 23 Jan 2008, 05:16

From the ACAD 2007 programmers help file

Header group codes :-
$INSUNITS 70
Default drawing units for AutoCAD DesignCenter blocks:
0 = Unitless; 1 = Inches; 2 = Feet; 3 = Miles; 4 = Millimeters;
5 = Centimeters; 6 = Meters; 7 = Kilometers; 8 = Microinches;
9 = Mils; 10 = Yards; 11 = Angstroms; 12 = Nanometers;
13 = Microns; 14 = Decimeters; 15 = Decameters;
16 = Hectometers; 17 = Gigameters; 18 = Astronomical units;
19 = Light years; 20 = Parsecs

Open the DXF file in a text editor and check the setting.

Anssi · 23 Jan 2008, 05:18

From Help:

MEASUREINIT system variable

Type: Integer
Saved in: Registry
Initial value: varies by country

Sets the initial drawing units as imperial or metric. Specifically, MEASUREINIT controls which hatch pattern and linetype files an existing drawing uses when it's opened. Also controls which template is used.

0 Imperial; uses the hatch pattern file and linetype file designated by the ANSIHatch and ANSILinetype registry settings

1 Metric; uses the hatch pattern file and linetype file designated by the ISOHatch and ISOLinetype registry settings

Anssi

Ben Ritter · 23 Jan 2008, 05:19

PeterCharles,

Here is what I found when opening the file in Notepad:

$CECOLOR
62
0
9
$LUNITS
70
2
9
$LUPREC
70

I'm not sure if this means my units are feet or what?

Thanks

Ben Ritter · 23 Jan 2008, 05:20

Anssi,

Thanks for your suggestion. My MEASUREINIT setting was and is "0".

Ben