Announcement
July 8, 2013

Posted July 8, 2013 by Jim Swain, Project Manager, Manufacturing Solutions:
Note: AutoCAD Mechanical uses a drawing variable, AMSYMSCALE, to hold the current scale factor for Power Dimensions, symbols and some other objects. This isn’t the same as the AutoCAD Annotative objects and their scales. Annotative objects were introduced in R2008, while Mechanical’s symbol scaling has been around since before R2000. The two aren’t compatible. The AutoCAD Annotative scaling should not be used with AutoCAD Mechanical.
Custom symbol scales can easily be added to AutoCAD Mechanical’s symbol list. This is done through the AM:Preferences tab of the Options dialog box.

Click on the System button, and expand the Acad/M list.

Click on the Title entry in the left hand list. Two scale lists are shown in the right hand list.

Two scale lists are shown in the right hand list. Which one is used for any given drawing is controlled by the Measurement setting on the AM:Standards tab in the Options dialog box.

To edit the list right click on the list’s name and choose Edit from the pop-up menu.

Add the desired ratio to the list, such as 1:1219.2, followed by a comma.

Now the ratio will be available in AutoCAD Mechanical’s Scale drop down lists.

Please note that this is a machine setting, so it is available to any drawing opened on this machine.
If you run into trouble or have questions, contact us.  We can get you on the right track.
Happy Designing,
Jim
Jim is Synergis’ Project Manager for Manufacturing Solutions and has been with Synergis since 1997.  Prior to joining Synergis he worked in the consumer electronics and automotive industries as a design engineer, a test engineer, and as a CAD administrator. He has also taught design classes at the college level. Jim’s broad knowledge base helps him to understand customers’ problems and offer appropriate solutions. Jim earned BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University. Jim is a certified Inventor Expert, having been in the first group of people to take and pass the Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert Exam at Autodesk University in 2003. He has also presented classes at Autodesk University since 2003.  Email Jim with a question or request.
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