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How to Change Dimensions from Decimal to Fraction in Inventor

Published in Inventor Dimension Styles 4 mins read

You can efficiently change dimensions from decimal to fractional in Inventor by first selecting the desired dimensions and then applying a dimension style specifically configured for fractional units.

Changing dimension formats from decimal to fractional in Autodesk Inventor involves selecting the dimensions and then applying or creating a dimension style that uses fractional units. This ensures consistency and accuracy across your technical drawings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying a Fractional Dimension Style

If you already have a dimension style configured for fractional display, applying it to your existing dimensions is straightforward:

  1. Select Dimensions: Use Ctrl + Left click to meticulously select all the dimensions you wish to convert from decimal to fractional.
  2. Access Annotate Tab: Navigate to the Annotate tab on the Inventor ribbon.
  3. Locate Format Panel: Within the Annotate tab, find the Format panel.
  4. Open Styles Dropdown: Click on the Styles dropdown menu.
  5. Apply Dimension Style: While your dimensions remain selected, choose the dimension style that is set to display values as fractions. Inventor will automatically update the selected dimensions to the chosen fractional format.

Creating or Modifying a Fractional Dimension Style

Often, a pre-existing fractional dimension style might not be available or might not meet your specific precision requirements. In such cases, you'll need to create a new style or modify an existing one. This is the fundamental way Inventor controls how dimensions are displayed.

To configure a dimension style for fractional units:

  1. Access Styles Editor:

    • Go to the Manage tab on the Inventor ribbon.
    • In the Styles and Standards panel, click on Styles Editor. This will open a powerful dialog box where you can manage all drawing styles.

  2. Navigate to Dimension Styles:

    • In the Styles Editor, expand the Dimension category in the left-hand pane.
    • You can either:
      • Create a New Style: Right-click on "Dimension" and select New, then give your new style a descriptive name (e.g., "Fractional Dimensions").
      • Modify an Existing Style: Select an existing dimension style (e.g., "Default (ANSI)") and modify its settings. It's often recommended to create a new style to preserve the original.

  3. Configure Units for Fractions:

    • With your selected or new dimension style active, click on the Units tab in the right-hand pane of the Styles Editor.
    • Under the Linear Unit section, you will find settings for how linear dimensions are displayed.
    • Format: Change the dropdown from Decimal to Fraction.
    • Precision: Select the desired denominator for your fractions (e.g., 1/16, 1/32, 1/64). This determines the level of accuracy displayed.
    • Display Zero Inches: (Optional) You can choose whether to display leading zeros for inches (e.g., "0'-6" vs. "6"").
    • Display Zero Feet: (Optional) Similarly, choose how zero feet are displayed.

  4. Save and Close:

    • After configuring the units, review other tabs (e.g., Text, Lines, Display) to ensure the style meets all your requirements.
    • Click Save & Close at the top of the Styles Editor to apply your changes and exit.

Practical Insights and Best Practices

  • Consistency is Key: Once you've created a fractional dimension style, use it consistently throughout your drawing to maintain a professional and readable appearance.
  • Drawing Templates: To avoid reconfiguring dimension styles for every new drawing, save your custom fractional dimension style within your drawing templates (.idw or .dwg files). This ensures the style is readily available for all future projects.
  • Individual Overrides vs. Styles: While Inventor allows you to override individual dimension properties (including unit display), using dimension styles is the recommended approach for managing drawing standards. Styles promote consistency and make global changes much easier.
  • Precision Matters: Choose a fractional precision that is appropriate for your manufacturing process. Too high a precision (e.g., 1/128) might be unnecessary and clutter the drawing, while too low (e.g., 1/4) might lack required detail.

By understanding and utilizing Inventor's dimension style capabilities, you gain full control over the appearance and format of your drawing annotations, making your technical drawings clearer and more precise.

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