Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

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iOne iTwo
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Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by iOne iTwo » Wed Nov 19, 2025 9:15 am

For dimensions there's a "measured value":
Capture.JPG
Capture.JPG (7.91 KiB) Viewed 2335 times
I would like to be able to set at least two units for that measured value, e.g.:
  • Measured value display type one: inch
  • Measured value display type two: cm

So a resulting visible label of:

<-------------------- 16" (40.64 cm) +- ----------------->

Regardless of the units of the drawing itself.

What I find myself doing is manually overriding the "measured value" to do the same thing, with the danger that it becomes inaccurate.
A check function for accuracy of the measured value vs. display value seems too fragile to suggest.

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Husky
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Re: Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by Husky » Wed Nov 19, 2025 4:58 pm

iOne iTwo wrote:
Wed Nov 19, 2025 9:15 am

What I find myself doing is manually overriding the "measured value" to do the same thing, with the danger that it becomes inaccurate..
Hi, may I ask you for what do you need those imperial/metric dims?
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iOne iTwo
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Re: Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by iOne iTwo » Tue Dec 16, 2025 6:42 am

Hi, may I ask you for what do you need those imperial/metric dims?
I prepare plans and specifications for a product sold internationally. Thus dimensions in both systems are critical,
and need to be correlated and correct. Which means formatting them both for the native audience without making mistakes.

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Husky
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Re: Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by Husky » Tue Dec 16, 2025 7:03 am

In other words, none of your customers need two different Units, right?
Why not convert the drawing according to the recipient customer? Or provide different sets of the drawing for each unit. Anything else is just confusing and not standard practice!
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HJ Seef
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Re: Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by HJ Seef » Tue Dec 16, 2025 10:36 am

Imperial is old skool measurement from the dark ages. Since 1975 the NIST recommends for international trade the metric International Standard (System Internationale) in mm.

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Husky
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Re: Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by Husky » Wed Dec 17, 2025 4:02 am

Yes, I am aware of that. Now imagine if everyone had started phasing out the imperial system 50 years ago and no one had tried to find a way to keep it alive through the back door, then—and only then—would we have succeeded in eradicating this
HJ Seef wrote:
Tue Dec 16, 2025 10:36 am
Imperial is old skool measurement from the dark ages.
.Back to the question: What would you like to see changed in the dimensions? :wink:
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CVH
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Re: Feature: Especially for Inch/Imperial users more choices for measured value (e.g. inch + cm on the same line)

Post by CVH » Wed Dec 17, 2025 6:29 am

Husky wrote:
Wed Dec 17, 2025 4:02 am
What would you like to see changed in the dimensions?
iOne iTwo wrote:
Wed Nov 19, 2025 9:15 am
I would like to be able to set at least two units for that measured value
QCAD does not support alternative readouts.
Not all common and all possible Dimension features are fully implemented.
Not everything mimics other applications. (e.g. Radial, Diametric)
The list of open requests contains various nice proposals and many are simply supported by the DXF standard.
Another frequent issue with Dimensions are cached Dimension Blocks used by other applications.

I think that 'Keep it simple' is the corner stone here.

It is highly likely that it will not be implemented, not at all on short time notice.
Two drawings in different units is certainly an option and also the most clear.

Converted and rounded it may not be the same.
1/4" (6mm) is not correct in my book.
Good enough for a customer, incorrect for a workshop.
Perhaps a bit too simplistic example. It is the general idea that counts. :wink:

Looks easy ... What with (trailing) tolerances?

A custom script could automatically adapt the labels in a post-process.
Note that a longer label also needs more place and this without user interaction.
It may even conflict with the re-render process by QCAD standards.
That can even re-run on any Dimension entity change with a listener.
(e.g.: Centroids, Selection Groups)

The main question here is:
  • How big is the demand for this feature?
Regards,
CVH

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