AutoCAD LineTypes

AutoCAD LineTypes are pre-defined patterns that can be used to define the appearance of lines in AutoCAD. These LineTypes can be customized and added to the AutoCAD template files, or they can be imported from external AutoCAD Line Type (.lin) files.

Pre-installed LineTypes

AutoCAD comes with a few pre-installed LineTypes, some of these are:

• Continuous
• Hidden
• Center
• Phantom
• Dashed
• Dotted

These LineTypes can be accessed via the Line Type setting in the Properties Palette.

Customizing LineTypes

To customize a LineType, use the Linetype Manager dialog box. To access the Linetype Manager, type LTYPE into the command line or go to the Home tab in the ribbon and click on the Linetype button.

In the Linetype Manager, you can create new LineTypes, edit existing ones, or erase them. You can also control the line pattern, line scale, and descriptive text.

Creating custom LineTypes

To create a custom LineType, you have to define the pattern in a text file with a .lin extension. This file has to be saved in a directory where AutoCAD can access it.

The .lin file can be created in any text editor such as Notepad. The pattern is defined using a series of text characters:

• A (for a solid line)
• -, _, . (for a dashed line)
• ~ (for a sharp zigzag line)
• space (for no line)

For example, to create a double-dashed LineType, the text file would look like this:

*DoubleDashed, -------------. -------------.

Importing LineTypes

AutoCAD allows the import of external LineType files. To import a LineType, go to the Linetype Manager and click on the Load button. Browse to the directory containing the .lin file and select it.

Conclusion

AutoCAD LineTypes are a powerful feature that allows the user to define the appearance of lines in AutoCAD. Pre-installed LineTypes can be modified to suit the user's needs, or custom LineTypes can be created and imported. Custom LineTypes are defined in a text file with a .lin extension and can be created with any text editor.