Preferences for working units and the display of values

Here you set the units of measurement used during work and how their values are visualized in tables — for example, in the Layers & Objects tab — and on dimensions lines.

I. To set global units for distances

In Distance units, set the default working units for distances and distance dimensions — for example, line length, arc/circle radius length, the distance between parallel lines.

NOTE: Learn how EngView displays values in the selected unit. You can edit this visualization.

Alternative units. These are applicable only to dimensions measuring distances. If you want to see distance dimensions displayed in, for example, both millimeters and inches, you set millimeters as a default unit and inches as an alternative unit. In the graphical area, both units appear at dimension lines:

The use of an alternative unit is optional; you can choose not to use one at all.

IMPORTANT: For EngView to display the alternative units at dimension lines, in the Preferences | Dimensions section, select the Show Alternative Units check box.

Setting the Display Format

In Display Format, select how you want EngView to display values in the default unit. You can choose between decimal and fractional pattern. For example, for millimeters you can choose between 2.54 mm or 2 1/2 mm.

NOTE: EngView uses what you choose here to round the actual computed value. That is, if the actual value is 23.7865423 and you have chosen the 2.54 mm format, EngView will display 23.79 mm. You can override this display format by using Extended Precision.

Depending on the pattern you have chosen in Display Format, the precision option activates in Precision. Here, you set how precise the displayed value will appear:
- For the decimal display, how many decimal places will appear in the decimal part: 2, 3, 4 and so on.
- For the fractional display, how precise the fraction will appear: 1/2; 1/4; 1/8; 1/16; 1/32; 1/64.

In Sample, you see the pattern of display as you have set it so far.

Using Extended Precision

The section that follows explains Extended Precision and how to use it.

What Extended Precision is and why use it

The display of values in Extended Precision lets you see values in greater precision than the one set in Display Format.

TIP: A good use of Extended Precision is if you have set Display Format to fractional display but need accuracy that fractions cannot produce. In this case, using Extended Precision display causes EngView to display the value in much greater precision.

The use of Extended Precision is optional and you can choose not to use it.

The display of Extended Precision is decimal only

EngView displays the Extended Precision value as a decimal. This means that the number that you set in Ext. Precision indicates how many places there will be in the decimal part of the displayed value.

When you use Extended Precision, you see:

For decimals: Values are displayed up to the set precision, overriding the value in Display precision. If Hide ending zeros is selected, it does not apply to (L)ength.
For fractions: When none of the applicable fractional precisions can display the precise value in fractions or mixed numbers, the value appears as a decimal, with as many digits in the decimal part as is the number you set here.

TIP: Spend some time playing with the units. In the Sample columns, you will see the effect of the values you set in Display Format and Ext. Precision.

Conditions for the application of Extended Precision

To use Extended Precision, the following conditions must be met:

In the Relations tab, the Use Auto-Grid check box must be selected.
A value other than zero must be entered. Otherwise, Extended Precision will not apply.

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II. To set global units for area

In Area units, select the unit that you want EngView to use for displaying area values.
In the table, set the default display format and the Extended Precision format.

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III. To set a display format for angles

EngView uses degrees as working units for angles. You set the display precision in the Angles group.

In Precision, set how many places will be in the angle value's decimal part.
In Extended Precision, set how many places will be in the decimal part if you want to see the value Sin greater accuracy than the rounded one in Precision.

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