diff --git a/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_coords.cpp b/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_coords.cpp
index 5548e6c2c1..5737305233 100644
--- a/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_coords.cpp
+++ b/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_coords.cpp
@@ -96,18 +96,21 @@ bool X3DCOORDS::Read( wxXmlNode* aNode, X3DNODE* aTopNode, X3D_DICT& aDict )
             {
                 if( plist.GetNextToken().ToDouble( &point ) )
                 {
+                    // note: coordinates are multiplied by 2.54 to retain
+                    // legacy behavior of 1 X3D unit = 0.1 inch; the SG*
+                    // classes expect all units in mm.
                     switch( i % 3 )
                     {
                     case 0:
-                        pt.x = point;
+                        pt.x = point * 2.54;
                         break;
 
                     case 1:
-                        pt.y = point;
+                        pt.y = point * 2.54;
                         break;
 
                     case 2:
-                        pt.z = point;
+                        pt.z = point * 2.54;
                         points.push_back( pt );
                         break;
 
diff --git a/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_transform.cpp b/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_transform.cpp
index b75b7f6f5c..91e7fa2204 100644
--- a/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_transform.cpp
+++ b/plugins/3d/vrml/x3d/x3d_transform.cpp
@@ -107,6 +107,10 @@ void X3DTRANSFORM::readFields( wxXmlNode* aNode )
 
     wxXmlAttribute* prop;
 
+    // note: center/translation are multiplied by 2.54 to retain
+    // legacy behavior of 1 X3D unit = 0.1 inch; the SG*
+    // classes expect all units in mm.
+
     for( prop = aNode->GetAttributes();
          prop != NULL;
          prop = prop->GetNext() )
@@ -119,11 +123,17 @@ void X3DTRANSFORM::readFields( wxXmlNode* aNode )
             m_Dict->AddName( m_Name, this );
         }
         else if( pname == "center" )
+        {
             X3D::ParseSFVec3( prop->GetValue(), center );
+            center *= 2.54;
+        }
         else if( pname == "scale" )
             X3D::ParseSFVec3( prop->GetValue(), scale );
         else if( pname == "translation" )
+        {
             X3D::ParseSFVec3( prop->GetValue(), translation );
+            translation *= 2.54;
+        }
         else if( pname == "rotation" )
             X3D::ParseSFRotation( prop->GetValue(), rotation );
         else if( pname == "scaleOrientation" )