BLOCK scaling in model space

[mcloughlin]

This is probably some damned "style" issue, but I have a block for an iron pipe monument.  I have a drawing at 1"=30'.  In Model Space, I insert my block, setting its scale at 30.  The block appears in the drawing.

 Just for fun, I LIST it to check its scaling.  Instead of saying "30," as I might have expected, the Scale listings say "360.00," which seems somewhat cumbersome given the situation (see appended image). Similarly, if the block is inserted at a 40 scale, it is listed at "480.00."  

How do I set Civil 3D 2014 so that when entities are listed in model space, the list readout gives their simple scale rather than some multiple thereof?  

Thanks.  

[ccoles]

Check your 'units' settings. Civil 3D does some strange things if the 'units' settings is for inches and the drawing settings are for feet. It loooks like the drawing the block is in may have been set for inches and the drawing your inserting them into is set for feet. Civil 3D is automatically adjusting the block scale to accout for that.

[wfberry]

Perhaps you may have a previous Architectural version file.  12 (12"=1') x 30 = 360.

This happens quite frequently.

Bill

[mcloughlin]

Well, my Units are feet, and I have no Architectural settings. I don't know what's going on.

[ccoles]

Sorry, let me try to be a bit clearer. Check the units setting of your block. If you look at the block information, the 'Insunits' is set to inches, probably from within the block definition. Right below it is the block scaling that Civil 3D is applying automatically, 0.08, which is a truncated equivalent to 1/12. Then, Civil 3D needs to boost the scale to 360 to get the desired visual 30 scale you want (30 x 12).

[kcobabe]

I think what both of the other users are talking about is.  You have to check the AutoCAD settings and make sure it's set to feet.  Then go into Prospector and the settings tab and check the Civil 3D drawing settings.  Next you will want to check the units for the block.  On most of my C3D blocks I set the block units to unitless.  It will read exactly the way I built it and I have never had an issue with the way other parts of the object read.

[ccoles · Accepted solution]

Only one caveat with the 'unitless' setting is to go to 'options' and, under 'user preferences', set the Insertion scale to default to 'Feet' if the units are set to unitless. Out-of-the-box Civil 3D has this set to inches and that can also cause the same problem, as I found out the hard way many moons ago. 

[mcloughlin]

Ccoles saved me. That was the issue. Many thanks!