In this video we will be considering the creation of one’s own linetypes within AutoCAD. Linetypes represent styles of lines. For instance, center lines, hidden lines and continuous lines may be comprised of line segments of given lengths as per standard or as per your own requirements. They only apply to the pattern of the line – the line thickness, color, whether it prints and other properties are set within the layer definition to which the line style is applied.
In the case that you just want to use lines and spaces of certain lengths you may leverage existing definitions within the default linetype files. They carry the extension .LIN. Use an existing line style rename it and put your own values instead of what the original comes out with. The Software is American and it’s not particularly set up for metric or South African standards, and so unfortunately you will have to define your own linetypes. In this video we consider the hidden line style as well as the center line style.
In the absence of your defining your own line style, you’re reduced to using two properties. One of the properties applies to every drawing element and is the linetype scale or LTSCALE. It is an actual property of the elements. You could do something intelligent and use a quick select on layer and then to apply and Lt. scale to those elements mimicking the definition of your own line style. Just remember that the element Lt. scales are multiplied by the drawing Lt. scales.
This is an inefficient way of managing line styles.
With some of the linetypes it is not necessary to draw your own shape but just leverage some text that might be within the definition already this is usually the case with sewer lines gas lines and the like.
In the last example we show you how you can use the express tools to define a shape and to define a line style that might incorporate something like a user defined arrow. Hatches are not incorporated in the shapes and should you wish to have a pseudo hatch you might have to draw multiple lines. Express tools are commands that were programmed not by Autodesk and included in the software because they are so useful. Unfortunately, express tools are not available in AutoCAD LT. So, while you may use the shape linetypes within AutoCAD LT and transfer a shape linetype to your AutoCAD LT, you cannot create it for yourself unless you have the full AutoCAD.
AutoCAD vertical programs like Civil 3D and Plan 3D can also use these same line styles. Be careful to store the linetypes and shapes you create in a directory that is always accessible to you as well as backed up. You don’t want to be in the position that if you reinstall your software or try to use the same line styles on another computer that you do not have the original definitions to be able to use the line styles that you’ve taken the trouble to create.
If you need help adopting the AEC Collection or the Autodesk Construction Cloud in your practice or you are looking to invest in hardware, please contact Micrographics so that we may be of assistance.
