The Metric System

[remus]

Try copying everything from the old file into a new file that is already in metric. This may convert all the units to metric...

[Jean Lemire]

Hi folks.

I understand Madllama problem.

Switching to Metric system will convert the units but will not convert components from imperial standards to metric standards.

For example, windows can be found in multiples of feet and inches. When converted in metric, you get non rounded values in millimeters or centimeters or whatever.

To get metric components that are rounded to whole values in millimeters or centimeters or whatever, you will have to search on the net. Begin with the 3D Warehouse. Maybe some european companies have 3D files that can be imported in SU.

Just ideas.

[madllama]

Hi Jean!

Thanks for your answer. I will take a look at the 3D wharehouse, otherwise I'll do the door myself

[Gidon Yuval]

Hi madllama,
Living and working in Israel I have the same problem. We also use the metric system but most of the models and components out there are, alas, in inches.
So here's what I do:

Lets say I've got an openning in a wall that's 90cms wide by 210cms tall. The door component doesn't fit. So first I position one corner of the component in place and then put the component into edit mode.

Then, being careful to include only the parts the need to be moved in the left-to-right window, I move those parts into position.

I do the same thing with the top of the door frame.
Then I close the door, slide the door back so that it's snug up against the door frame and do the edit-move thing on the front edge of the door together with the door handles.

Open the door again and you're done.

Now you can right click on the component and save it under a new name for future use.

Hope this helps.

[Mike Lucey]

Nicely explained Gidon. I actually do the same
thing as Metric is also the system here although
we spec mm rather than cm

Mike

[Gidon Yuval]

Thanks Mike.
I know that the U.K. is metric and it always puzzles me that the currency isn't. I've never understood the Brittish currency system.
Funny that in the States it's the other way around with the currency being metric while dimmensions are in inches.

[remus]

When you say the british currency system isnt metric, are you refering to the fact we've not changed over to the euro yet?

I reckon british currency is pretty simple really, 100 pence=1 pound, but then it would make sense to me having lived with it for my entire life

[Gidon Yuval]

Remus, I was talking to friend of mine from Glasgow and he was trying to explain the different coins to me and I couldn't make heads or tails of it (no pun intended ).

But we're going way off topic here guys.

[Gaieus]

Gidon, the Brits changed to a system where 100 pence make a pound in the seventies. Until then 20 shillings made a pound and 12 pence made a shilling (a Guinea was 21 shillings to make it more precise - still used at snobbish auctions).

The fact that some Brits still use the "names" of the old currency does not mean they are not "metric" (if we can use this term here). It's like they - in everyday conversation - still use terms of the "imperial" system (like pounds and such).

Note however that Mike is from Ireland

[Gidon Yuval]

@gaieus said:

Note however that Mike is from Ireland

Does Ireland have a currency of it's own that's different from England?!

[Gaieus]

€

[pilou]

Is that related?

@unknownuser said:

In 1999 the probe Mars Climate Orbiter (MCO) is crashed on Mars!
Loockeed-Martin society transmited datas in Feet & Miles and Nasa controlers received it in metric system !
So just 96 kms difference and 125 000 000 dollars losted

[Gaieus]

Yeah, I heard this story, too. It's just like importing dwg files

[madllama]

Thanks for the guide Gidon!
It really helped.
Finally I can finish my models.

[Gidon Yuval]

Any time