Topic: Challenge: Imperial Dimensions in a Metric World

[Birdy]

Our standard template is set to draw everything in metric units (mm).
We do architectural millwork, and all our CNC equipment is metric.  No big deal, but there is NO chance they will change to imperial.
Here's my problem:
When I draw doors, for example, they are always imperial, so I must draw a 3/0 door at 914.4 (dont get me started on why it must be to 0.1mm.  :ugly:  Ok, that one I have memorized, along with many other equivalent dimensions.  But when I need to draw something at 7'-5 11/16", I waste all kinds of time converting to get the metric equivalent.  No one higher up the food chain seems to care, but they always care about the time spent! (?!?!)

Is there any way (using our current template where units are formatted decimal) to draw a line by entering 36" or 3' and having it drawn to it's metric equivalent 914.4 units?
I know if the units are set to architectural, I can enter 3' or 36" and get the same length line.  I have searched, but not found a solution.
Any help appreciated.

edit: I guess what I am looking for is a tool that will let me enter units in imperial or metric and draw the correct line, kind of like it does in Inventor.

[CAB]

Maybe this:
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=30093.0

[Birdy]

Thanks CAB.  Seems to work pretty good.  Not sure how I missed this before.
There are a few quirks, but I may be able to sort those out.
thanks again!
 

[CAB]

You're welcome.
If you improve on the routine please post it here. 

[Birdy]

Not sure my skills will afford much improvement, but I certainly will.

Post it, that is. 

[adalea03]

About 10% of my work is is for metric dwgs.
I use a metric dimension style,
but the drawing units are set to imperial (Architectural).
When I draw a line, I enter imperial units for length; when I dimension it
the dim is in metric units.
I also use a little app to compare units.
The "Feet" function doesn't always work, but I'll attach it and you can weak
it as you like.

Tony