The Design->Units of Measurement dialog is where the action is:
In addition to the selection of metric or english units the new Units of Measurement dialog allows the user to format those units in a large variety of ways. There are three sections: on the left are selections which affect both metric and english unit choices; on the right are the specific details for english and metric. Finally, on the lower left are some facilities to see the result of the selections made.
Starting on the left, the first selection labelled Numbers is a pair of radio buttons that select whether the displayed measurement is to be rounded at the last decimal place or fraction, or simply truncated. Rounded is the default selection.
Next is a series of yes/no decisions made with checkboxes. The first asks Display Trailing Zeros?, and refers to whether zeros on the right end of a decimal number are to be suppressed. For example, "4.100" would be changed to "4.1" if this is selected. The left side of the decimal point will always display at least "0". Default value for this control is no.
The second decision asks Suppress trailing decimal point? If this is selected, then the value "32." would be changed to "32". Note that this takes place after zeros are suppressed according to the preceding selection, so both acting together could change "7.00" to simply "7". Default value is no.
The next question is Add space before units? This selection and the next are only available if a units indicator is selected in the metric or english sections. If true, this will add a space between the numeric part of the final notation and the units designator (such as "in" or "mm"). Default is no.
The final question is Add a dot following units?, and is only available if a units indicator is selected. It would, for instance, change "4mm" to "4mm.". Default is no.
The next two selections determine the punctuation used inside the numbers. The Thousands separator allows groups of three digits on each side of the decimal point to be punctuated. Selection values include comma, blank and none. Comma is traditional in America, but causes confusion in other countries; the blank separator is usually used where confusion might be a factor. None may be selected, wherein the groups are not designated at all. Default is none.
The next filed is Decimal Pt, which allows for selection of the decimal point character. Again, traditional American use is the period character, but many countries use a comma for that. Default is period.
The last field in this section is an entry box for a dimensional multiplier, and we'll address this below.
So far I have been mentioning defaults. There are two default conditions: Punch! defaults, which results in the numbers looking exactly as they do in the Punch! plan, and a standard default, which follows such standards as exist. I used the US Bureau of Land Management's "Metric Handbook" as my guide for these defaults. Note that these defaults do not select the basic english or metric style, they apply after that selection is determined. In any case, you may reset the entire Unit of Measurement selection set (except english/metric) by pressing one of the two buttons labeled Reset to Punch! Defaults or Reset to Standard Defaults.
Let's bounce over to the other side of the dialog to consider the english unit section. Next page, please.
Dimensions in Detail and the contents of this help file are
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