AutoCAD - Converting drawing units or dimension display to feet show incorrect value by factor of 1/12

[michelleUQC9V]

Thank you in advance for reading/helping, I’m super stuck.

The issue( see attached photo): i.e. the dimension length showing "900.00[decimal unitless units] displays the correct value, BUT is supposed to be 900 FEET. If you display the dimension in [architectural or engineering feet-inches] format, it divides the value by 12 and shows the incorrect value of 75' for that same line. 

I need help with solving this scaling issue. I am using the geolocation map within the AutoCAD software (originally set with AutoCAD Map 3D, CA State Plane Coordinates in Survey Feet). I’m using the internal map/capture region as a background to my plans/vicinity map. I need to make sure that I can show proper, accurate dimensions when I draw/measure on top of that map. 

..I need to show dimensions in [FEET'-INCHES"] format. 

In my photos, the red represents the length in [FEET'-INCHES"] dimension style, ARCHITECTURAL.
The green dimension shows [STANDARD} dimension style, DECIMAL (unitless unit).

[ The subject line of this post has been edited for clarity by @handjonathan Original: Help with Scaling Issue in Autocad/Map 3D:Drawing Decimal Unit Shows Correct number in Feet, but Converting drawing units or dimension display to feet show incorrect value by factor of 1/12 ]

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @michelleUQC9V 

If you want your green dims (Standard Style) to look like the red dims (FEET.INCHES Style) then do this.

1. Modify Standard style.

Image-1

2. On the Primary Units tab, make selection as shown below.

Image-2

3. Exit the Dimension Style Manager.

Image-3

Note"

You are working in a State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS). This means your DRAWING UNITS are in feet. They're in feet because the drawing units will adopt (or inherit) the units of the ASSIGNED COORDINATE SYSTEM. In your case in CA83-VF (California, State Plane, NAD83, Zone 5, FEET).

[Pointdump]

Hi Michelle,
Thanks for posting your drawing.
Your drawing units are inches. Use command -DWGUNITS to check. You can change to feet units and when it asks to scale, click no. Then you can change your Standard Dimension Style to Scale = 12.
Dave

[michelleUQC9V]

David, 

Thank you so much. That definitely solves the "how the dimensions appear" issue. 

A related issue I have been having is that this whole time I would like to be able to insert dynamic inputs in architectural/engineering style too, inputting line lengths in [feet'-inches"]. 

I tried to fix the dynamic input issue by switching the "current drawing units" option on the bottom right corner to "architectural style." However, when I input 900' for example, the line is drawn way too large--relative to both my map and everything else that was drawn while things were set to "decimal style" 

This is super tricky. lol I fear going forward I'm always going to have these weird scaling issues when we pursue more solar farm work--So I'm hoping to solve this and gain a better understanding of scale and dimensioning in AutoCAD as soon as possible. 

[michelleUQC9V]

Thanks for taking the time to reply--this didn't quite solve my issue, but I really appreciate input.

[Pointdump]

Michelle,
"...when I input 900' for example, the line is drawn way too large..."
Don't add the apostrophe, just type "900". (AutoCAD already knows you're using decimal feet.)
Dave

[michelleUQC9V]

Then the only issue is that in geometry, the "length" appears as 75'...

I think I'll just have to leave the current drawing units in "decimal" and alter how the dimensions display as you guided me with. 

Wow quick response from you, thanks again. 

[Pointdump]

Michelle,
I forgot to check UNITS on your latest drawing. Length Type is set to Architectural (Inches).
When it comes to units there is a disconnect between AutoCAD and Map 3D and Civil 3D. Sometimes you just can't fix a drawing and have to start over. This may be one of those times.
Dave

[RobDraw]

---

@Pointdump wrote:

Sometimes you just can't fix a drawing and have to start over. This may be one of those times.

---

Huh?

Isn't this just a matter of scaling the drawing when changing units?

[Pointdump]

Hi Rob,
"Isn't this just a matter of scaling the drawing when changing units?"
I sure wish there was an easy button to fix mixed units in a drawing. I haven't found it yet.
Dave

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @michelleUQC9V 

Barstow, correct?

The drawing you uploaded is in the Unite States and is using State Plane coordinates. What does this mean? It means your drawing has an assigned coordinate system and has modelspace units that match the assigned CS, which in your case is Feet. Unlike an architectural drawing where the drawing units are typically inches, your drawing is in feet, due to original author who assigned it State Plane.

<<If you want to draw a 3foot radius manhole cover in an architectural drawing you need to enter 36 for radius because 36inches=3ft, In surveying and engineering design, however, you need to enter 3 for radius because 3feet=3ft. It's important to be cognizant of the drawing units in modelspace because different units can be to used create the same real world sized manhole.>>

In your drawing you can turn on Bing Hybrid aerial imagery to verify the geospatial position of your line work. As @Pointdump has already mentioned, enter Units on command line then change the Length Type from Architectural to Decimal. Changing the length type to Decimal will eliminate the feet tick mark (the apostrophe) that's  displayed in the Properties Palette. If you want to create dimensions in feet-and-inches format like an architectural drawing (and not like and engineering one that uses decimal-feet format), then you need to change UNIT FORMAT on the Primary Units Tab of your Dimension Style and simultaneously maintain the 'Decimal' length type in Units.

Note: 

If you simply scale all your linework then your 'point' coordinates (and your line endpoint coordinates) will change by a factor of 12. As the aforementioned factoring changes your x- and y-values, you'll un-reference the objects in the drawing and take them out of their correct geospatial position. And when your objects aren't georeferenced, Bing won't be consistent with your linework.