Another Imperial and Metric Conversion question, complete with Dims in blocks!

[MDrawings]

Thanks for taking the time to read my question.

 

I've made a library of fancy dynamic blocks complete with Annotative dims right in the block to save time!

All the blocks are created in imperial.

I now want to use the same blocks in a metric drawing.

But when I insert the blocks the dimensions come out 25.4 too big!

 

I also have multi leaders in some of the blocks and they work, scaled perfectly!

 

When I check the Annotative dim style all the spacing, arrow sizes and such are proper size inside the metric drawing.

 

It seems as though the inserted block is not inheriting the properties of the Dim style with the same name (simply Annotative), but the multi leaders are?

 

I've been kicking myself for days over this, what am I missing??

 

Autocad 2010

 

Please help.

Thanks in advance!

Edited January 18, 2011 by MDrawings
added version

[JPlanera]

make the dimstyle scale factor .03937 (1/25.4 = .03937)

 

DIMSTYLE

"modify"

"Primary Units tab"

Measurment scale - Scale factor: .03937

[MDrawings]

Thank you for the quick reply!

 

I should have clarified, it's the entire dimension that is coming out too big: gaps, line sizes, arrow sizes, text size...

I can deal with the units.

[JPlanera]

ok well the same type of adjustment can be made under the fit tab. "Use overall scale of"

[MDrawings]

It's grayed out because it's Annotative.

[JPlanera]

what happens if you change the insertion units???

[MDrawings]

insunits set to 1: the entire block is inserted 0.03937 smaller, but now the dim scaling is correct!

 

I must have something wrong in the source file, but I don't know what it is.

[JPlanera]

If I am not able to re create your problem. I created an imperial block and dimensioned it in the block editor. When I inserted into a metric dwg, the dim size scaled correctly and all i had to do was make my dim scale factor 25.4.

 

Are you dimensioning your blocks in this manner? If your inserted blocks are not dimensioned prior to insertion, then a new dimstyle is all you need... If I am off base with this, post some screenshots to clarify

[MDrawings]

You're right on the money with what I'm trying to accomplish.

What you described, is what I'm trying to do.

My dimension is inside my imperial block, but putting it inside a metric drawing the dimensions are all WAY too big by scale of 25.4.

Thanks for trying.

 

I'm about ready to pull my hair out.

I obviously have a setting wrong somewhere but I don't know what it could be.

Any ideas?

[JPlanera]

Post a screenshot. I am under the impression that autocad is doing what it is supposed to be doing, but you want something else.. help me, help you... help ME... help YOU.... and while you're at it, show me the money... (sorry couldn't resist the obligatory movie reference...)

[MDrawings]

Well I got it sort of working, although it's more a band aid solution until I figure it out.

I've scaled all the dimstyle measurements down by 0.03937... At least it will allow me to get this project done.

Thanks for your time in this matter JP.

[JPlanera]

I would still like that screenshot..... If you dont mind

[MDrawings]

I will sorry, looks like we posted about the same time.

I would think it was me expecting too much from Autocad, but the multileaders I have set up in the same block work perfectly!

[JPlanera]

Well I hope, in this case, for the sake of my pride, you are expecting too much!! Ill take a look at the screenshot and be able to confirm or deny.

[MDrawings]

ok screen shot attached. (I think)

 

The top is what it needs to look like.

The bottom is what I get when I insert the block.

 

And I actually got the top result by exploding the block I inserted... :/

 

But as you can see the multileader is correct, just the dims are out of whack.

 

I know my dim scale isn't set right, I just want you to see my issue.

[JPlanera]

Well, it seems the issue is only with your style..... Everythign else is fine.

 

is your style annotative? What is your MODEL scale set to?

 

Is annotative needed? Try the proccess again without it.

[MDrawings]

You're right! I didn't think of it earlier but I have the same name dimstyle (Annotative) in each of my metric and imperial drawings.

 

So because I already have the Annotative dimstyle set in my metric drawing Autocad is doing it's automatic conversation of the block by multiplying everything by 25.4, including all the text sizes, arrow sizes, gaps and such in that dimstyle of the same name... So when I explode the block, it's removing that automatic scaling of the dimensions and it appears correctly... make sense?

 

Something so simple, yet caused me headaches for days... NOW who's pride is hurt?

 

I feel like an idiot now.

 

Many thanks for your help JP, greatly appreciated.

[JPlanera]

Dont worry, be happy!! You may not have your pride, but you now have correct blocks now!!! lol

 

I'm happy to help, thank you for choosing CADTutor, don't forget to tip your waitresses, exits are at the front and back of the plane, I hope you enjoy your stay...