Default setings

[drlarrye]

Is there a way to set the default units for the measuring tool?  I am usually dealing with woodworking projects and would like to measure in inches.

[Moini]

You can set the 'display units' to inches then. This will make sure that each dialog in Inkscape uses them.
File > Document properties > top right corner.

[drlarrye]

That's great and will work, but I was wondering if there was a way to have every new document to open using inches?  If not it will be easy to get used to changing the document preferences the first time I measure in each document.

[brynn]

Yes, you can make your own custom default document.  Or you can make your own template, which is not the default (the one which automatically is displayed when you open Inkscape.).

Not only can you set it for inches.  You can put anything into it you want.  Like for example, if you always want a grid, then enable a grid.  Or if you would like to see the traditional checkerboard to indicate transparency.  Or just whatever you want, you can put into your own template or default document.

Here's a tutorial:  http://libregraphicsworld.org/blog/entry/using-templates-in-inkscape

[Moini]

Or you can just use one of the templates that come with Inkscape. File > New from template.