Expert: Bob - 10/27/2009

Question
Hi Bob,
I am new to auto cad and am currently using 2010 model. I have completed my drawing but drew it in the wrong units. Is there a way to change the units of the drawing without redoing the entire drawing?

Thanks,
Peter

p.s. please respond asap, as I am getting close to the deadline

Answer
Peter
-- I am responding fast, so be patient with me when I tell you this: AutoCAD is about precision. Your question lacks precision, so I need to take the time to guess what you did, so I must write more, to cover possibilities. (If you had written "I drew in inches, but I need mm", I could tell you the conversion factor -- or maybe you mean you drew in Engineering Units, but you need Architectural Units)
You also left out whether you are trying to teach yourself AutoCAD (a dangerous idea, especially lacking a good book), or if you are in school and missed the teacher's instructions.
I will do the best I can to reply.

SO --
A-- if you drew full size in the correct system (Metric or Imperial), changing the UNITS of the drawing will not affect the model, and it will be correct.
B-- if you drew in the wrong of the 2 systems I mention, you need to change the units, but you also need to select the entire model and use SCALE to make it larger or smaller. SCALE up by 25.4 to make an Imperial drawing the right size for Metric, down by  0.03937 for the reverse.

It is important to start your drawing by using the correct AutoCAD template -- then you do not have this problem.

Pardon me if I come off as impatient, but it is approaching midnight --- and the question would take 1/4 the time to answer if I knew more precisely what the story was.
Write back if I have guessed the story wrong.

BOB

PS "model" refers to the contents of a drawing --- We say the RELEASE you are using is AutoCAD 2010. Again, please don't think I am being petty: if everybody uses the same terms, there is less confusion.