The DXF import preference settings, Use same units as in the original file (if exists) and 1 unit corresponds to, determine what units are applied to dimensions in a DXF file when it is imported into Arbortext IsoDraw. These settings are available in:

The measurement units used to create an AutoCAD drawing may or may not be saved in the DXF file. (A preference setting in AutoCAD determines if dimensions in the file are unitless or not.)

When the units applied during DXF import match the units the source DXF file was created with, the drawing sheet, 3D space, and element sizes in the target ISO file match the layout, model, and element sizes in the source DXF file. No scaling during import is necessary.

If the source DXF file includes units, you can force Arbortext IsoDraw to apply them to the target ISO file by selecting the Use same units as in the original file (if exists) check box. (See Preferences for Import.)

When the units applied during DXF import do not match the units the source DXF file was created with, the drawing sheet, 3D space, and elements in the target ISO file can be too large or too small to be usable.

For example, if the source DXF file was created in inches, but millimeters were applied during DXF import, all dimensions in the target ISO file would be 25 times too small (because a millimeter is approximately 1/25th of an inch).

If the source DXF file does not specify the units it was created with, but you know what those units are, you can select the matching units in the 1 unit corresponds to list. The units you select will be applied to the target ISO file. No scaling during DXF import will be required.

If you do not know what units were used to create the DXF file you are importing, try Use same units as in the original file (if exists) first. If the imported data is too large to fit in the ISO file drawing sheet or 3D space, try setting the units to 1 mm—or try scaling the DXF file. (See Scale.)