Changing the Unit of Measurement for New Files

QUESTION

When I start a new drawing, my walls and other objects are measured in metric units. How do I change my unit of measurement for new files?

ANSWER

While it's possible to display both imperial and metric dimensions for any given plan, it's important to start a project using the preferred measurement type, as the measurement system assigned to the file cannot be changed after it has been created.

It is also critical that you use U.S. Unit files for your U.S. Unit templates and metric unit files for your metric templates, as the measurement system assigned to the file is used regardless of the Preference setting.

To specify the unit of measurement for new files within preferences

1. Select Edit> Preferences if you're on a Windows computer or Chief Architect> Preferences if you're on a Mac.
   
   
   
2. On the New Plans panel of the Preferences dialog, select between two measurement types: U.S. Units, also known as standard, imperial, or SAE, or Metric Units, also known as SI. 
   
   
   
   

   Note: The default plan templates for U.S. Units are the "Residential Template.plan" and "Kitchen and Bath Template.plan," while the default plan templates for Metric Units are the "Residential Template - Metric.plan" and "Kitchen and Bath Template - Metric.plan." Metric templates will typically include "M," "Metric," or "ISO" in the file name. 
   
   The default layout template for U.S. Units is the "ArchD 24x36 Layout Template.layout", while the default layout template for Metric Units is the "ISO1A 594x841 Layout Template.layout".

   
   

   If the radio button is set to U.S. Units, but the template specified is a metric template, or vice versa, use the Browse button to navigate to and select the appropriate template. 
   
   If you don't see the Browse button, click on the drop-down arrow next to Edit Path, then click Browse.
   
   Never specify a *.layout file as your plan template.

   
   
3. Click OK to apply the change. The file that is currently open will not be affected by the change; however, when you create a new project, plan, or layout, the specified measurement system will be used or selected, by default. 
   
   

To specify the unit of measurement for new files upon creation*

*Applies to X17 and newer versions when using Project Management. For more information on Project Management, see the Related Articles section below. 

1. Select File> New Project . 
   
   
   
2. In the New Project from Template dialog: 
   
   
   
   
   • Specify the desired Measurement Units using the drop-down menu. 
     
     
   • If Include Plan and/or Include Layout are checked, you can specify a Plan and/or Layout Template using the drop-down menus. The default selections will match the templates specified in Preferences.  
     
     
   • Click OK and the new file(s) will be created based on the chosen settings.
   
   

Additionally, when a new plan or layout file is added to an existing project, an Add New Plan/Layout to Project dialog displays, where the Plan/Layout Template can be specified.