# Why doesn't XSI have US unit notation: n'n""?
**URL:** https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174
**Category:** Xsi
**Tags:** modeling
**Created:** [March 3, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174 "2003-03-03T02:01:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@timberoz](https://forum.highend3d.com/u/timberoz)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174/1 "2003-03-03T02:01:52Z")
I am currently using the softimage experience 3.0 demo and I set my units to feet but when I create an object such as a sphere I can't seem to specify it in standard feet/inch notation.
I can't type in 1'3" to make a sphere one-foot-three-inches in radius. I have to use decimals: 1.25 feet
this gets EXTREMELY complicated when you get into complex fractions such as 1'1" or 1'1/8" etc etc.
Does softimage plan on adding this VERY BASIC modeling feature to its whopping $6500-$13000 program?If not it makes it nearly impossible to do any sort of precision modeling in that I have to keep punching conversions into a calculator for ever length I model.
Anyone know who I can email at Avid to discuss getting this feature implemented?
thanks
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### Author:  [@vmpre](https://forum.highend3d.com/u/vmpre)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2003, 4:06am UTC](https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174/2 "2003-03-04T04:06:23Z")
[Support@softimage.com](mailto:Support@softimage.com)
You can also join the mailing list. There are always Soft people there listening as well.
HTH
Vmpre
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### Author:  [@esperdiv](https://forum.highend3d.com/u/esperdiv)
#### Post date: [April 29, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174/3 "2003-04-29T17:48:04Z")
You can also use expressions in most text fields. So if you want to have 1'3"" with 1 feet per softimage unit, you could type 1+(3/12) and that will allow you not to have to punch conversions into a calculator.
PS: for fractions of inches (1'1/8'') just use 1+(1/8/12) that will work too.
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### Author:  [@atyss](https://forum.highend3d.com/u/atyss)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174/4 "2003-04-30T14:57:21Z")
You can also create a table where you will put all the values you need for most common fractions, like x/8, x/16, x/32, and refer to this table when you need it.
Cheers
Bernard
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### Author:  [@zajooo](https://forum.highend3d.com/u/zajooo)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://forum.highend3d.com/t/why-doesnt-xsi-have-us-unit-notation-nn/61174/5 "2003-09-03T02:12:14Z")
Setting units to 'feet' in the user preference dialog has no effect, this is not plugged to anything. Only setting the color unit to RGB or HSV works, and is used as the default mode for color sliders (not interpolation - color is always RGB internally)