How to get AutoCAD to display area values in square feet instead of squar inches

[Anonymous]

I am working in model space, 1:1 using (AutoCAD 2015) and can't get it to display the area command in SFT instead of SQ INCHES.?

Help please.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous

I will try to help you with your issue. It appears that your drawing is set up in Architectural units. These are based upon the (Imperial) inch. This is why you see the areas listed in sq. inches. If you increase the width of the properties dialog you will see that the Area field actually also includes Sq. Ft.

You can also select the calculator icon which will allow you to copy the area so you can paste it into a text or Mtext entity.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

John,
Sorry but I couldn't follow your instructions.

"If you increase the width of the properties dialog you will see that the Area field actually also includes Sq. Ft"?

As you can see, I have widened the properties dialog box to the full size of my screen and still don't see the option to change from SQIN TO SQFT??

Any other hints?
Curt

Edited by
Discussion_Admin

[john.vellek]

I'm sorry Curt that you didn't understand my post.  You can't change to sq. ft. for area but the area field actually contains both sq. in. and sq. ft.concurrently.  This is true if your units are set to Architectural.

[Anonymous]

If indeed you are just using the "Area" command and selecting the object (Closed Polyline)

Maybe you need to stretch the command line up so you can see all the returned info (See attached image of the command line

[Anonymous]

Thank you however that didn't work either.
I opened another drawing though and I am getting both the area in sq inches and sq ft.
So there is something with this drawing file that is different.?


Curt
Curt Carlson, PE/LEED AP
Facilities Engineer/Project Manager
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[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

Please attach the file and I can take a look for you.

[JDMather]

Compare settings for both

Units and 

-dwgunits (with the preceeding - symbol)

on your two files.  (read the command line when you run -dwgunits)

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi JD,
That worked although it changed my dimensions which were in feet to inches. Then I clicked through a series of prompts and it changed it back so the area command now reads both area in sq inches and sq ft. and it changed my dimensions back to feet.
So everything is good---I'm not sure what all the other questions were about? I will google the command (-dwgunits) and find out more.
Thanks,

Curt

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

I tried another suggestion from JD MATHER

I typed -dwgunits in the command line and it changed inches to feet ...it changed my dimensions on the drawing but at least it converted the area to sq feet. then i went back to the -dwgunits and changed back to inches and now I get area in both sq in and sq ft. Yeah!!

I'm not sure why or what the prompts in the -dwgunits does to a drawing...I will have to investigate more later.

Thanks,

Curt