Converting an imperial drawing to metirc

[Tabetha]

We do mostly architectural drawings, so we have our settings at inches. But occasionally we need to convert these drawings to metric, so we can plug the file into another computer for routing. Is there an easy way to do something like this? We just moved up to 2006, and we're hoping they added in some nifty trick to do just that.

[rkmcswain]

We do mostly architectural drawings, so we have our settings at inches. But occasionally we need to convert these drawings to metric, so we can plug the file into another computer for routing. Is there an easy way to do something like this? We just moved up to 2006, and we're hoping they added in some nifty trick to do just that.

Define "plug the file".

You could xref or insert it using the appropriate scale factor.

[Tabetha]

We have a routing machine that takes the autoCAD file and converts it to a cutting path to make very specific shapes, perforations, etc. We take the CAD file, put it onto a disk, and put the disk into the machine. Trouble is, it requires that everything be drawn in a specific order, and that it be done in metric.

[fuccaro]

Tabetha
I don't really understand you. My pencil has the same length in Romania as in England. You can say that is 5 inch or it is 127mm -this is the same length.
The CNC machine will not read the text on the dimensions. So if your 3D model is correct (at scale 1:1) it should be machined right.
You may dimension the model in Imperial units, in metric or in both of them (see the alternate units in the dim style dialog).
Am I missing your question?

You can transfer your CAD file dirrectly to the CNC machine but it is better to use a post processor program first.

[Tabetha]

This is exactly what I've been trying to tell the guys in the shop, but they were so insistent that the drawing be in metric, that I thought I was missing something.

You mentioned a post processor program - maybe that would help them better, and make them more comfortable with this process.

I'm relatively new to the company, and the CNC is even newer (we've outsourced until now), so not only am I unfamiliar with the process, but so are they - the blind leading the blind. LOL

Thank you for your help with this.

[mclaja03]

if the guys in the shop are going to be like that about it, just change the primary units setting in your dimension style to decimal, choose a precision, and put 25.4 in for a sclae factor for all dimensions

[GrizzlyT]

Well....I'm one of the guys, in the shop.
Actually, I'm from a totally different shop but have the same issue with our router, as well. (So I can feel their pain!!!)

Hopefully, i can better explain the issue, as I have scoured these boards for an answer, to no avail.

The issue is the distinction between "Drawing Units" and "Dimensioning Units". While fuccaro has pointed out that an object is still the same length, no matter how you label it (You say 25.4mm... I say 1 inch), the problem here isn't the labeling. Therefore, Dimension styles, alternate units, scaling, etc do not apply. Let me explain.

If I create a new drawing, from scratch, the wizard asks whether it is going to be in inches or metric. This is setting up the drawing in either an ANSI or an ISO-25 format. (This is evident, in the Dimension Style Manager. If it was created in inches, the Manager lists the style as Standard. If it was created in metric, it lists ISO-25.)
Now, let's say I choose inches (imperial) and draw a line 5 inches long. As I am drawing the line, I can see in the coordinate box (Lower left corner) that the line I am creating is 5 inches (units) long.
If I dimension it, it shows it to be 5 inches long. Of course, I can go in to the Style Manager and alter the scaling of the primary units, or change a multiplier, etc. The end result is that when I dimension it, it will say that it is 127mm long.

However, (And here is the real issue!) when I am doing it, the coordinate window still only shows it as 5 units long and is only converting the dimensions. The drawing is still in an ANSI format, in the background. Consequently, the router still sees it as 5 units long, not 127.

The question is how to convert the initial format (ANSI or ISO-25) to the other, so that the coordinate window sees it properly, too.

Does that make sense?

[Tabetha]

YES! That's exactly my problem!

I can make drawing fresh, from scratch, using the metric template.

The issue comes around when I try to use our extensive library of modular profiles, or any other already-completed drawing that was done in Imperial, which is what everything is created in.

Instead of starting all over (defeating the purpose of the library to begin with), ideally, I'd like to be able to cut and paste from my imperial drawings to a metric drawing.

Unfortunately, the only option I've come up with it to start every drawing over in metric, drawing each hole in the exact path the drill will travel....you know, they don't teach you this in architectural drafting....LOL

[good_m]

The only way that I can see to change a drawing like that is to go into the units dialog box and switch the units from architectural or decimal to whatever you want and then use the scale command to scale it up or down (ie. 25.4 or .039370079).
If this isn't the answer then I'm not quite sure that I understood the question.
Mike

[GrizzlyT]

Thanks good_m!!!! That was the answer I was looking for.

Everything was pointing to the Dimension Style Manager and modifying it's scale. The trick is using the generic SCALE command.

Tabetha, Here's what I did...

- set your zero point to lower left corner.
- zoom out to extents and select everything.
- Type "scale", in the command line box. <enter>
- base point is 0,0. <enter>
- scale factor is 25.4 <enter>

Of course, now the dimension style WILL have to modified because the drawing is so much bigger. (Scaling up the leaders, arrows, and text size, etc.)

At least now, when I measure a line, the coordinates match the dimensions.................Finally!!! :D

[good_m]

Grizzly,
glad to be of service. Wasn't quite sure if this is what you were looking for or not. If this is something that you're having to do often enough I qould suggest making a lisp routine of it. You can have the lisp routine scale everything and switch the dimension style to another style to suit the new scale of your drawings. If you need one let me or anyone on the forum know and I'm sure that you'll get a response fairly quickly. There are some people on here that are amazing with Lisp!
Mike

[Ako]

Here's something I found on another forum regarding converting drawings from metric to imperial.


if you ever need to convert a metric drawing into imperial (ie. meters to feet)... instead of using the traditional scale command, a neat trick is to insert the drawing to be converted as a block into an imperial template. all units will then be converted... when you explode the inserted block, even the dimensions will follow.

just make sure the your source drawing is in the proper units before inserting it to the template you want it to be converted into...

this works best in working with large drawings since it will take lesser time for your computer to process the command and dimensions are also adjusted...


Dave

[fuccaro]

Or you can copy-paste. Open the drawing created in metric units and use the COPYBASE command to copy all the objects. Use the #0,0,0 point as base. Start a new drawing and be sure it is in imperial units. Now just press CTRL+V and enter as base the same #0,0,0.