Document setup
Before creating objects or dimensioning them, use the CADdocument and CADguides panels to define document settings and background grids.

CADdocument
The first General panel controls basic number format, the use of a separate dimension layer, and the use of live dimensions. Live dimensions will auto-update with changes in scale or appearance. You can always unlink live dimensions at a later time by ungrouping them.

Setting scale
Choose document-based scale for one scale on the entire document. Choose Layer-based scale to set unique scales per layer. Choose from custom, engineering or architectural presets.

Using the Scale calculator
For document-based scale, you can use the Scale calculator in CADtools 6 or 7 to create a custom or 'best fit' scale and resize artwork based on a selected object's dimensions. Before using the Scale calculator, make sure you have Document-based scale selected in the CADdocument palette. Select the object that you are using as a reference for your scale calculation. Click the Scale calculator button.

In Step 1 of the Scale Calculator dialog, the selected object's real dimensions are displayed in terms of width and height. Choose the object width or height as the reference value, then enter a desired actual value on the right.

In Step 2 of the Scale calculator, choose how the new scale will affect your art and CADdocument scale.

If you want to let the Scale calculator determine a preset scale that best fits your scale equation, choose Apply preset. Select Architectural scale or Engineering scale based on your type of project. Then select an option to resize your artwork to best fit the artboard, a specified width, or a specified height. If you choose width or height, enter a value in the field that appears.

If you want to select your own preset scale, choose Apply preset scale. Your artwork will be resized.

If you do not want your artwork resized, choose Create and apply a custom scale from the scale equation. A new custom scale will appear in the CADdocument palette, and artwork will not be resized.