3ds max units setup

This setting remains in effect until you change it. These controls provide a system unit calculator to help you determine the unit scale for your project. The resolution of measurement diminishes as the distance to the origin of space increases, so you need to consider space granularity when you choose a scale for your project.

If you're modeling an island, for example, this calculator can help you determine the smallest object you should model on the island. In other words, don't use a unit scale of millimeters if you plan on modeling an island that's many miles across. When you use the slider or the text field to enter a distance from the origin, the Resulting Accuracy changes to show what the round-off error will be at that distance.

These controls don't change the unit settings in 3ds Max. They don't reflect the extents of the current scene, either. The slider covers distances from 0 to the maximum distance that's accurate to one system unit. For example, if units are in feet and decimal inches in Customize menu Units Setup, and you type 1' , 1 foot in the Accuracy field, a value of '0.

If you move an object that's one foot across, at this distance away from the origin of space, a round-off error will occur, and the shape of the object will be compromised. Warning: Change the system unit value before you import or create geometry. Do not change the system unit in an existing scene. Note: The Rescale World Units utility alters the scale of world units throughout the entire scene, or selected objects. Click System Unit Setup. The system unit is the standard measurement throughout 3ds Max.

You should only change the system unit value before importing or creating geometry. It is important to note the distinction between System and Display units. Display units only affect how geometry is displayed in the viewports. System units determine the actual scale of geometry. This can have a significant impact on your scene, which is why it's important always to set up the system unit before you import or create geometry.

To change units to feet and inches:. To enter fractions in numeric fields:. To enter a fraction and a units specifier, place the specifier after the divisor. To convert between unit types:. The number is converted to the current unit display type. The US Standards are as follows:. For the last two items, you can specify which unit is assumed when you enter a value in a numeric field and press Enter without including a units specifier, such as ' for feet or " for inches.

For example, if Feet is the default, typing 5 followed by Enter results in 5 feet. Typing 5" followed by Enter results in 0'5". If Inches is the default, typing 5 followed by Enter results in 0'5".

Typing 5' followed by Enter results in 5 feet. Use the drop-down list to choose whether light values are displayed in American or International units. System vs. Display Units It is important to note the distinction between System and Display units.

Choose from among the display options on the drop-down list. If you want to display measurements as feet with inches, choose how inches should appear: fractional or decimal.