

AutoCAD, however, also allows for two other types to be created, and they are part of the complex linetype family: string complex and shape complex. These are the essentials of creating basic linetypes.

Spaces are negative, so everywhere you see −.25, there will be a space of that length, and finally a 0 is a dot. Well you know that dashes are positive, so everywhere you see. Now you just have to mix and match and arrange these in the order you want them to be in to define a linetype that you envisioned. Space (Pen up, negative length specified, such as –0.25). Let us go over them as really this is the key concept.ĭash (Pen down, positive length specified, such as 0.5). Next are the linetype specification numbers, and they actually describe the linetype using dashes, dots, and spaces. The A is the alignment field specification and is of little concern (AutoCAD accepts only this type so you will always see A). The pattern line is where the linetype is actually described, and the cryptic-looking “numerical code” ( A,1.25,−.25.25,−.25) is the method used to describe it and needs to be discussed for it to make sense. The header line consists of an asterisk, followed by the name of the linetype ( CENTER), then a comma, and finally the description of the linetype ( Center). The two lines that you see are the header line and the pattern line both are needed to properly define a linetype. Let us take just one linetype and look at it closer. Here is a reproduction of the first six linetype definitions: Border (Standard, 2, and X2) and Center (Standard, 2, and X2). Locate and open (usually with Notepad) the acad.lin file and take a look at it closely. Our goal here is to open up the acad.lin file, analyze how linetypes are defined, and then make our own. Anything you do to these files, including adding to them, immediately shows up the next time you use linetypes. In AutoCAD 2011, these files can be found in the Program FilesAutoCAD 2011ackup folder. These are linetype definition files that AutoCAD accesses when you tell it to load linetypes into a drawing.
Linetypes for autocad Pc#

Linetypes for autocad software#
Appendix B: Other CAD Software and Design and Analysis Tools and Concepts.Chapter 29: Dview, Walk and Fly, Animations, and Action Recording.Chapter 28: UCS, Vports, Text, and Dimensions in 3D.Chapter 26: Advanced Solids, Faces, and Edges.

