I don’t think it’s that hard to communicate, I understand your feature request. We were just discussing current options and changes made in recent versions regarding inputting dimensions in units other than the model unit. Nobody said we did not understand your request.
I get that you want a toggle, it would need to be a modifier key other than toggle that already exists for all those tools including the tape measure. Maybe a separate keyboard shortcut.
I go back and forth between imperial and metric all day long, I understand what you are talking about but I don’t find it so hard to do both. I often resize and place objects to metric dimensions within my imperial based model. Works fine for me. I do not measure things in non model units though, this confuses me a bit. In any case I understand your feature request and see how some might find it useful, I don’t think I need it.
I like your message. Thank you too. I don’t “want” it which sounds aggressive. I suggested it under “Feature Request” politely. Then I couldn’t believe all the communication… I still get by with a calculator on the side on the screen and use when I need. But then it appeared as a “no brainer” to have this feature included in such a comprehensive yet easy to use software such as Sketchup. I guess I understand now the modifier key complications. I am not a mac user. On Windows it appeared to me that the ALT key is available or combination of Ctrl-Shift etc. like you use with the the SELECT tool to subtract from a group of selections.
You are welcome. I do understand the request, it’s not unreasonable, and I think it could be implemented with keystrokes. I don’t think I would use it much though. I get it that lot’s of stuff is only available with dimension information in one set of units. If I need to place a 30cm wide object into my model I make it 30cm by typing in the dimensions. Once it is sized I don’t need to measure it in metric ever again, unless I change it, then I type the new dims in metric. I guess my point is that I don’t really need to see the alt dimensions displayed to be using them.
I do sometimes wish that Layout had an option to automatically place both imperial and metric dimensions side by side on my model for drawing output, so that drawings contain both and can be read easily by users of both units. That I would find useful. Cheers.
Hello again. Thank you for your reply. I found myself needing these unit conversions when I am contemplating on changes or having to explain something to a third person. I am an active engineer and have been a US resident for a long time like 30+ years. My thinking and distance perception to make judgments or decisions are still dominated by metric units. I go into the model start taking measurements…
Part of that communication is on my account. Sorry for sort of “highjacking” your thread. My post was just to allert users that Chromebooks, at least mine face the impossibility to enter feet and/or inches when current setting is in m, cm or mm.
It’s probably “just” a Chrome/Chromebook issue, that’s why.
if I type ’ or " while entering values plus units no units visually appear in the ‘Measurement’s’ box. As if these units don’t exist. Unlike typing text when using the ‘Text’ tool.
While dragging a tool cursor around (say the ‘Line’ tool cursor or the ‘Rectangle’ tool cursor) I can see the units in the ‘Measurement’s’ box.
Solution: I recently found out that I do have to use the [alt gr] key simultaneously with ’ and with " for them to appear in the ‘Measurement’s’ box and thus being able to enter whatever units despite of my current units settings.