Scaling blocks in AutoCAD
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Author | Erhan Toker |
| Profession | Architect M.Sc. | |
| Autodesk Authorized Consultant | ||
| Software Specialist | ||
AutoCAD 2002 and higher versions
Since AutoCAD 2002, there is a new concept as dimension unit (block unit) for blocks. According to this, AutoCAD changes the scale of the block and adjusts it according to the drawings (1) when creating the block and (2) when inserting the block. For instance, by using this feature, a block that has been prepared as “inches” is enlarged 2.54 times when it is inserted into a drawing, drawing unit of which is “cm” (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1
Now, let’s examine together how to do this: First of all, let’s take a look at the block definition window (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2
The block that we have created is a square with 10×10 dimensions. Ws are selecting ‘Block unit’ as ‘inches’. By selecting this, we are accepting that this block is created in a drawing, unit of which has been prepared (or accepted) with inches. In the previous versions, if we insert this block in a drawing, unit of which is accepted to be cm, it would have 10×10 dimensions. However, blocks represent real objects in real life. If our block with name SQUARE that can be foreseen to represent a coffee table of 25.4×25.4 cm dimensions ( 1inch = 2.54cm ) is shown as 10×10 cm in our drawings than this is unacceptable. For this reason, since AutoCAD 2002, feature of scale unit that is taken from Architectural Desktop is introduced to users. In second stage, we have to enter the value that we accepted as the dimension unit to AutoCAD. To do this, we are using UNITS command or ‘Format/Units…’ menu (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3
When we change ‘Units to scale inserted content:’ setting as ‘cm’ in this window, then our SQUARE block will come to the required scale when it is inserted. As you can also understand, it is really a very useful feature. However, it is necessary for you to define unit while creating all of the blocks in you block library ( Fig. 2). Thus, it is not possible to use this feature for you old block library.
Related Articles: Understanding scale concept and units in Autocad
Technorati Tags: AutoCAD, Blocks, units, Daily AutoCAD
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April 24th, 2007 08:26
[…] there are deviations while inserting the block, you can refer to article Scaling of Blocks in AutoCAD about this subject. Of course, you should pay attention to the new page that you have created will […]
April 30th, 2007 13:29
hi
i was wondering if its possible in the 2007 or 2008 version to scale solids by 1 dimention (non uniform scale)
and still be able to edit them afterwards
i went looking on the internet
there was a possible solution by creating a block of the solid and on insert enter the scaling factor
but then its not possible to explode the block anymore
any ideas?
i’d really apriciate it
greets
bert
May 16th, 2007 07:22
thank you
November 15th, 2007 18:56
As an addition to referring to the UNITS and INSUNITS sysvars, users should also be aware of the sysvar called DWGUNITS which is vertical application (eg. Land Desktop) equivalent for UNITS and INSUNITS.
If a drawing file was created using Land Desktop or Architectural Desktop (etc) then its DWGUNITS settings will override what the plain vanilla settings are.
I remember trying to insert a block between two drawings with the same units, but it was inserting incorrectly. I then discovered that DWGUNITS in one drawing was set incorrectly. DWGUNITS is available in plain vanilla AutoCAD, but there doesn’t seem to be any documentation on it (which is why it took me forever to figure out my problem)
November 19th, 2007 16:52
***CORRECTION*** The actual sysvar is called -DWGUNITS (note the hyphen)
Sorry for any confusion