How to Change Units in Vectorworks?

Understanding Vectorworks Units

Vectorworks is a versatile design software used for architecture, landscape, and entertainment design. One crucial aspect of working with this software is setting the correct units of measurement, which ensures that your designs are accurate and align with industry standards. This guide will walk you through the steps to change and customize units in Vectorworks efficiently.

Accessing Document Settings

To begin the process of changing units in Vectorworks, follow these steps:

1. Open your project or start a new document in Vectorworks.
2. Locate the main menu at the top of the screen and select the File option.
3. From the dropdown, choose Document Settings. This will open a submenu where you can find various configuration options related to your document.

Changing Units

Once you are in the Document Settings:

1. Click on Units. This will prompt the Units dialog box to appear.
2. In the Units dialog box, you will see several options for length, area, and volume units formats.
3. To change the units for length, click on the dropdown menu next to Length and select your preferred measurement system, such as inches, millimeters, or centimeters.
4. Adjust the options for area and volume in the same manner, as necessary for your specific project needs.
5. After making your selections, click OK to apply the changes. This update will affect all dimensions moving forward in the document.

Customizing Unit Display

If you want to customize how units are displayed in your workspace:

1. Return to the Units dialog box as outlined previously.
2. Here, you can set additional parameters, such as the precision of your measurements.
3. Explore any options for display settings and adjust them according to your preference, ensuring that your dimensions will be clear and easy to interpret.

Verifying Unit Changes

To ensure that your changes have been implemented correctly:

1. Create a simple shape in your document, such as a rectangle or line.
2. Use the dimension tool to measure the shape; the dimensions should now reflect the units you’ve chosen.
3. If you notice any discrepancies, revisit the Units dialog box to confirm all settings were correctly applied.

FAQs

1. Can I change units midway through a project?
Yes, you can alter the units at any point in your project. However, be aware that existing dimensions will automatically update to reflect the new unit settings.

2. Does changing the units affect my existing drawings?
Changing the unit settings will convert all existing value representations in the document to the new units. Therefore, it’s essential to double-check measurements after making changes.

3. What unit options are available in Vectorworks?
Vectorworks offers a variety of units, including inches, feet, millimeters, centimeters, area units such as square feet and square meters, and volume units like cubic feet and cubic meters. You can select the most appropriate units based on your project requirements.