Introduction
Correct units are important in every archviz project.
If your scene scale is wrong, objects can feel incorrect, dimensions become confusing, and imported models may not match the real-world size you expect.
In this tutorial, you will set up the main unit settings in 3ds Max and learn how to type different measurement units directly into value fields.
Open the Unit Setup Window
To change your units in 3ds Max:
- Go to Customize.
- Click Units Setup.
This opens the unit settings for the scene.
There are two important areas to understand:
- System Unit Setup
- Display Unit Scale
They are related, but they are not the same thing.
Set the System Unit Scale to Centimeters
Inside the Units Setup window, click System Unit Setup.
Set the System Unit Scale to:
- 1 Unit = 1.0 Centimeters
Then keep the other settings at their default values and click OK.
Important: For architectural visualization, using centimeters as the system unit is a practical choice because it keeps scene measurements consistent and easy to manage.
The system unit is the internal scale 3ds Max uses for the scene.
This is the setting you want to keep consistent before you start modeling, importing assets, or building a project.
Choose a Display Unit Scale
After setting the system units, choose your Display Unit Scale.
This controls how measurements are shown while you work.
Use the unit you are most comfortable with.
For metric architectural work, a good setup is:
- Centimeters for general architectural projects.
- Millimeters for furniture modeling or fine detailed modeling.
After choosing the display unit, click OK.
Tip: The display unit does not have to be complicated. Choose the unit that makes dimensions easiest for you to read and type.
System Units vs Display Units
A common beginner mistake is thinking these two settings do the same thing.
They do not.
System Unit Scale
This controls the internal scale of the scene.
It is the most important setting for keeping the project consistent.
Display Unit Scale
This controls how values are shown in the interface.
For example, you may work in centimeters most of the time, but switch to millimeters when modeling small details.
Typing Different Units Directly
3ds Max can convert measurements automatically.
This is useful when someone gives you a dimension in another unit, such as inches, feet, or meters.
You do not need to calculate the conversion manually.
To test this, create a simple box.
Use a size of:
- Length
- Width
- Height
Then type different units into the value fields.
Example: Convert Inches to Centimeters
In the Length field, type:
10"
Then press Enter.
3ds Max converts this to:
25.4 cm
This means 10 inches becomes 25.4 centimeters.
Example: Convert Feet to Centimeters
In the Width field, type:
2'
Then press Enter.
3ds Max converts this to:
60.96 cm
This is the correct conversion from 2 feet to centimeters.
Example: Convert Meters to Centimeters
In the Height field, type:
1m
Then press Enter.
3ds Max converts this to:
100 cm
This is helpful when you are working in centimeters but receive a measurement in meters.
Why This Is Useful in Archviz
Architectural visualization often uses measurements from many sources.
You may receive dimensions in:
- Centimeters
- Millimeters
- Meters
- Inches
- Feet
Instead of changing your scene setup every time, you can keep your project consistent and let 3ds Max convert values when needed.
This keeps your workflow cleaner and reduces mistakes.
Recommended Setup
For a beginner archviz workflow, use this setup:
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| System Unit Scale | Centimeters |
| Display Unit Scale | Centimeters |
| Fine detail modeling | Millimeters when needed |
This gives you a simple and predictable starting point for most architectural projects.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Changing Units After Starting a Project
Try to set your units before you begin.
Changing unit settings after modeling or importing objects can make scale problems harder to understand.
Confusing Display Units with System Units
Display units are mainly for how you read and enter values.
System units control the internal scale of the scene.
Manually Calculating Every Conversion
You do not need to manually convert every value.
You can type inches, feet, or meters directly into 3ds Max fields and let it convert them.
Conclusion
Setting units correctly is a small step, but it affects the entire project.
For archviz work, setting the System Unit Scale to centimeters is a solid starting point. Then choose the display unit that feels most comfortable for the type of modeling you are doing.
Once your units are set, you can work with cleaner dimensions, avoid scale confusion, and use 3ds Max’s built-in unit conversion whenever you need it.
