And of course copper is heavier than leather, so the same weight measurement will yield very different thicknesses for different materials.
The copper measurement is particularly silly as one would assume it’s applied in a very even layer. At least with leather they can use the variability of thickness as an excuse.
I would normally agree with you… no, I DO agree.
Unfortunately, in the textile world, fabric materials are typically rated by their weight per a given area because actual physical thickness of a material does not give a complete picture of the material nor does it even matter in many cases. The weight/area number gives the end user a better idea of the density of the material and its suitability for a given product. In some instances, an increased density of a material may not actually impact the thickness, because there is air space between fibers that can be squeezed out.
Not sure what percentage of Glowforge customers are US-based and of those what percentage are scientists. But fall under the American non-scientist category who prefers things in American units. Not saying I would mind see both stated. But it’s a US company and I’m in the US. I have certain expectations that I believe are reasonable.
I didn’t say not to put US units on. But they need metric units for the significant fraction of their users who need them, as well as to make comparing different materials easier, as traditional US units are (a) inconsistent across different types of materials and (b) used in ways that are unexpected for those who aren’t accustomed to the standard US practice for each material. (e.g., a 2"×4" board is nowhere near 2 inches by 4 inches)
And I think we can all agree that just labeling everything as thin, medium, or thick is not very useful. 
I think many of us agree. I think Glowforge currently disagrees. Arbitrary terms don’t do anybody much good IMHO.
Like those of us American who use 3D printers. All my makes up until the gf were all metric. It’s frustrating to say the least.
Ah, that’s different from the internal version - those will go away soon, I believe. Thanks!
Yeah, they’re already gone in the new interface.
Oh, hey… Look at that.
Wow. I think I really hate it. I can’t tell anything about my selection this way. I’m not seeing anything that represents 1/4" anymore. And selecting shades… what’s up with that?! I only see 2 shades for everything and they’re both the same and really hard to tell what you have selected.
Oh well. Guess I’m not doing any engraving tonight.
We discussed this for a long time, and had as many internal opinions as have been represented here. Of course, its always great to hear from you as well.
While I don’t expect to persuade anyone, I’m happy to explain. We provide names and measurements in separate locations. The actual measurement (e.g. 0.21" +/- 0.02") was, we decided, too much of a mouthful to use in the name. The “friendly” version (1/4") was too wrong to be useful. So we used a name that’s descriptive, and anyone who needs to know the measurement can either measure it or look it up in the measurements (which are in the description, which seems like a reasonable place for measurements to be).
I’m not wild about it either, truth be told, but a month or two of using the PRU has moved me beyond needing to use the Proofgrade settings… I tend to over-ride everything manually anyway.
It’s going to be easier to use for beginners buying Proofgrade. (Since it matches the purchase description.)
So the shade selection. Are you seeing that too? That there’s only 2 and they’re both the same? Or is that just me?
One color for the acrylics and veneers…two for the woods.
I guess, unless they are using one of the box makers, etc where that is helpful information. What not put the actual measurements on as well. It’s really not confusing to anyone. Fine to call it some easy name, but why not put the actual measurement for those who want it?
Kinda preferred the old naming scheme. * shrug *
Hopefully, some kind of folder structure, marking a design as ‘favorite’ (As in it always appear at the top) and the ability to save NPG (Non-Proofgrade) values are in the works. With a side order of zoom/rotation by value vs dragging. (Please) and a grid overlay in the UI (user enable/disable) (Pretty please).
Eventually, when they use the UV coded masking on the Proofgrade, those options probably won’t even appear there any more…those settings are a temporary convenience for the PreRelease users.
And @dan has mentioned in passing several times that those are not part of the long term plan.
So I’m still kinda glad to have anything at all, kwim? 
Seems odd to update something that’s going away. Why not leave it alone until retirement.
They changed the naming convention in the shop. So there is continuity there.
They are using those descriptors in house. We have been using the PreRelease version of the interface up until yesterday.
I get that. But how can anybody work like that?
That doesn’t make it right or good.