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AutoCAD/How to change the ft and in symbols?

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Expert: - 7/31/2008


Question
I was wondering if there is any way to change measurements that look like this- 3'-4" to 3-4 using autocad 2004.  So basically no foot and inch symbols for my measurements

Answer
Dan:
The format of architectural units is a national standard that AutoCAD adheres to and cannot be changed.  You can design a lisp routine that will edit the dimension any way you want.  But if you make to make it read 3-4 instead of 3'-4", there would be no way to do that and keep the dimensions associativity to the distance you're dimensioning.  I find that dimensioning in architectural works OK for the most part, but I override the dimensions with a little dimvar change so that 1'-0" is 12" instead to give the dimension text a little more room.  

So, long story short, you can't modify the format for architectural dimensions without losing the dimensions integrity.  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

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Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn

AutoCAD

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Bill DeShawn

Expertise

I can address all 2-D questions and some 3-D questions. I do programming in AutoLISP if it doesn`t involve solid modeling. I can also address menu customization issues and can help you find answers to questions I can`t answer by taking your question directly to Autodesk via their newsgroups.

Experience

I used to do electronic and mechanical design for a flat panel monitor manufacturer, and now I do architectural drafting for an architect. I did and do AutoLISP and menu customization and take pride in making my lisp routines to do the work exactly the way the client likes them done.

Publications
I had a routine published in CADENCE magazine (no longer in publication and taken over by CADALYST). Some of my routines are published on my website at http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn

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