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Monika Gause
Monika GauseCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 19, 2025

It's from way back then when each country's measure of foot was based on each country's king's foot size ... 

 

some have abolished the "unit" foot in the meantime ...

12 replies

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 18, 2025

Traditional for the users of Adobe products since 1982.

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cyrilb84643040
Participant
December 18, 2025

I can't remember if it was in InDesign or another program where you could adjust the point value.

This option would be very welcome in Illustrator.

Have a nice day.

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cyrilb84643040
Participant
December 18, 2025

Or Maybe Artpro ou PackZ ?

Don't remember

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Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 18, 2025

You cannot, Illlustrator uses the traditional PostScript point, 1/72 of an inch.

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cyrilb84643040
Participant
December 18, 2025

Traditionnal for whom ?

In France the traditionnal point is the Didot point 0,375 mm.

 

Our graphic charters are in Didot points

 

Thank's to you.

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Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 19, 2025

1/72 inch is equal to 0.352806 mm (rounded).

IIRC, the 1/72 was based on the original Mac. It was easier for the computers at the time to calculate 1/72 inch rather than 1/72.27 inch. Also, the Mac monitor resolution was 72 pixels to the inch. 

 

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David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)