Inserting .dwg reference changes Rhino units if different!

Rhino Rhino for Windows
1

please try this example:

  • new rhino file,set to centimeters

  • insert a .dwg reference (I used linked+reference layers), and set the import options to meters.

-see the document units switching from cm to m in the statusbar.

just inserting a reference with meter units should change the document units.

Daniel

2

I’m not able to reproduce this here in v5 SR13. Can you post the 3dm and the dwg or email tech@mcneel.com with a link to this thread. My thought is there’s something different about your dwg versus mine… maybe the scheme?

3

Hi Brian,

thanks for you reply.

before I send you the file could you please try the following:

  • when inserting any dwg., click “options” in the explorer window for dwg, set to meters and check “always use this setting…”

-then import any .dwg (different file does not change anything on my side)

and/or on next insert simply choose “any filetype” so the options do not even show.
importing like that also gives me the bug.

but if the option “always use” is not checked things import fine in fact.

regards,
Daniel

4

Hi Daniel and Brian,
Here believe this is the issue.
AutoCAD has two units: decimal and Imperial Feet and Inches.
Decimal may be mm, cm, yards, meter, etc.
AutoCAD/clones do not have a concept of units like Meters, Years, Fathoms …etc line Rhino.
When you open or import an AutoCAD DWG into Rhino 1 unit = 1 unit. So the unit in AutoCAD = 1 centimeters in Rhino.

You will need to import the model into the any template, then change the unit in Rhino to Centimeters manually. There is no information in the DWG to communicate this to Rhino automatically.
If you change the unit in Rhino, it will offer to scale the model for you at that time or keep the original size.
Unfortunately, this unit is not part of the DWG format but it is part of the 3DM.

Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Mary Fugier

5

Hi Mary,

Thanks for the info,
I understand that Autocad/.dwg does not have internal units.

what is really baffling me is that inserting a block instance .dwg modifies the Rhino document units settings.

this messes up an entire drawing file it also changes the layout units!

somehow in certain cases, and to be honest I can still not reproduce it reliably, the .dwg import settings (model&layout units) appears to override the currently set units within the Rhino file.

please try as outlined in my previous post, to insert a dwg as block and try it alternately with “always use this setting” and without it. Sometimes centimeters are kept (when dwg import is set to meters) and sometimes they change to what is set in the dwg import dialog window

regards,
Daniel

6

Hi Daniel,
Well, I can not get the units of the current model (new, centimeters) of change who inserting a DWG with the Link and Reference options, set model units to Meters, always use this setting.
My model stays at CM, with no change.

I can’t say that the prompts about units are useful to me.
It really has always seemed odd, but I don’t know what would make it work better.

I believe that we still need your files.

  • The Current model in CM.
  • The DWG model to insert with Link & Embed.
  • Set Model Unit to Meters… What do I set Layout to?
  • Send a screen capture of this dialog and your setting.
  • Better yet, feel free to send a screen capture video. (we could also arrange to do a web meeting and look how you can duplicate the bug.)

This will require more testing and careful detail. If we can not reproduce this reliably, we will not be able to get it on the list to be fixed.

You can email the files to mary@mcneel.com.
Thanks again for letting is know.
Hope we can figure this out soon.

Sincerely,
Mary Fugier

7

Hi Mary,

thanks again for taking time on this.
I know that a proper bug report needs good documentation, and I’ll do my best to give you a clear impression of what I see on my screen.
It will probably be the end of the week until i find the time to do so.

Regards,
Daniel