Unit String

[s.mccarthy]

Hello,

I have had a request to display imperial dimensions using a unit string "in." (no quotes). The default Inventor 2011 display does not include the period. Can the default be modified, or a new option added to the list?

[Ktelang · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Work around but you can add a

suffix as a period in Dimension style.

For angle dimensions create a different dimension style

without the suffix.

Hope this helps

[s.mccarthy]

Thank you. I forgot about those.

[s.mccarthy]

The request changed again. I have been asked if the dimension display can be changed to append a period after the "in" along with changing the brackets for alternate units to parentheses. (Adding the period as a suffix appends it to the end of the string.)

So I need to get to this...

10.0 in. (254 mm)

...from this...

10.0 in [254 mm].

Anyone?

[Rich.O.3d]

how about using the inch symbol

ie. 8"

After dealing with drawing offices in Europe, China, India, RSA and Australia for the best part of 25 years, i have never annotated a drawing with ' in ' for inches I have always used "

I have been adding this to wish lists since inventor7

Can someone pleasantly surprise me and tell me this feature got added at some time over the last 5 years.

[SBix26]

>>along with changing the brackets for alternate units to parentheses.

This seems like a really bad idea, since parentheses are used to indicate reference dimensions.  I suppose they could make the argument that alternate unit dimensions are reference dimensions.

[s.mccarthy]

Whether or not you may feel that this is a "..really bad idea..." is actually irrelevant. This is an issue of being able to, or not being able to, meet a client's specific request, however obtuse that may be. For that job, the only workaround I came across was to override the dimensions, which is the worst possible answer. I had to place copious notes on the drawings indicating which dimensions were overridden so I could track the inevitable changes/revisions. A huge waste of my time, and the client's money. I do it differently now, by using 2 separate dimensions with different styles. The dimensions are co-linear and I have to position each correctly so that no portion of either dimension line shows between the 2 values (looks like a 'minus' sign otherwise). Still extra work, but the dimension values update correctly, which is the important issue.

A "Worst Case" scenario regarding my mistrust of overridden dimensions: I recently finished a structural steel job where all of the layout data was provided in a dwg format. Many of the dimensions were overridden by several individuals, and to their credit, were notated. As a result, however, the values in the dimension strings did not add up. I pointed this out to the client, who responded "Don't worry about it. We'll take care of it in the field." In the interests of CYA, I was forced to request, and received, a release of liability prior to submitting my data. Apparently they are still "..taking care of it..." as the job has exceeded budget due to "Field Modifications."

[dan_inv09]

You could always make a parameter for each thing you will be dimensioning in the drawing (presumably most of your drawing dimensions would already be model dimensions) and make a user parameter referencing each of those which would have the other units. Then you put text in your dimension with the parameters and whatever formatting you would like and hide the dimension value. It shouldn't take too much more work that overriding all your dimensions, and you shouldn't have to worry about them not updating.

[ulasdeniz]

Sorry as an metric guy I don't know how to type measurements in imperial units in dimensions when I in sketch mode. My template is  imperial. I know how to type  inch and fraction and I Can set up it. (E.g. 5 1/2"  as typing 5 + Space +  1/2 and it shows automatically 5 1/2)  Hovewer I cannot type the 5' 3 1/2" without typing each qoute and double qoute. Any help please.