I've been having a real hair-puller around ACAD linetype scale. I'm working in model space (for now) and have various linetypes such as easement, right of way, and other non-continuous linetypes that just don't show up properly in my drawing unless I change my linetype scale to something outrageous. At a linetype scale of 1 the linetypes show up as continuous unless I zoom w-a-a-a-aayy in and then I can see little dashes or whatnot.
What's really weird is that I have a previous drawing that shows all the linework properly in model space. So I grabbed a copy and erased all, dumped my drawing into the empty, and some of the lines show up as intended and some don't. Yes. the layernames are the same and linetypes are set bylayer, as we do around here. And I'm drafting in 2D and the drawing elevation is set to zero. Arrrgghhh.
I'm using AutoCAD Map 2014, and I know I've had this problem before (but not consistently) with other types of AutoCAD. I must be missing a variable or setting somewhere. Help! TIA.
Type "LT" and change the tick box at the bottom of the window where it says "Use paperspace linetypes for scaling" (or something to that effect).
Do a regen all (REA). Hopefully that will work. Be sure to have the drawing scale set as well.
Are you strictly working in model space or is the issue in the paperspace view? The linetype scale I usually set to half the intended plot scale. Make sure the psltscale variable is set to 0 to have the linetypes plot correctly in paperspace.
It is best to work in paper space. You can set the flag PSLTSCALE to 1 and the linetype will scale to whatever the viewport you have in your paper space. You also need to have your LTS set to 1.
Try what unnamed surveyor said and also check your msltscale. if your working solely in model space this should be set to 1. My guess is, is that it's your msltscale setting and your drawing scale (being too small) that is triggering this.
PSLTSCALE = 1
MSLTSCALE = 1
LTSCALE = 1 (or play with numbers from 0.5 to 2)
Dave
Thanks for the feedback folks. There's some good info in the replies. But so far it's a nope. Oh well...
And for plotting, I always use paper space. This drawing just happens to be a copy of a model space parcel map that we use in house and I'm just trying to keep things uniform. 🙁
Try using the "CHANGE" command. Select the line, enter "P" for "Properties" and then "S" for "ltScale". The default here should be 1.
If this fixes the problem, do another "CHANGE" command and do the same routine for all of your line work using the crossing option.
PSLTSCALE setting "0" = use regular line type scaling.
PSLTSCALE setting "1" = adjust all line types to use the current ltscale, including xrefs, viewed from paperspace.
Format
Linetype
Global scale factor
and/or
Current object scale
Are your lines flat, if sloped the linetype scale will look like what you are seeing.
If plotting from paper space, set ltscale to 0.5 and psltscale to 1.
In model space select all and type "change"
Command: CHANGE
Select objects: all
412 found
5 were not in current space.
Select objects:
Specify change point or [Properties]: p
Enter property to change [Color/Elev/LAyer/LType/ltScale/LWeight/Thickness/TRansparency/Material/Annotative]: s
Specify new linetype scale :
Enter property to change [Color/Elev/LAyer/LType/ltScale/LWeight/Thickness/TRansparency/Material/Annotative]:
That ought to fix it.
Yeah Ron, everything's at zero elevation.
I give up
Thanks for all the information, folks. Unfortunately, this drawing is still not behaving. At least I now know how to set things up in a new drawing in the future so I get what I need. Thanks again!
I give up
Try PLINEGEN. When set to 0, the pattern stops at each vetex. When set to 1, the line pattern continues through each vertex. To skin the same cat a different way, open the properties box for a given pline and switch "linetype generation" to "enabled".
This may help in combination with having the ltscale set correctly.
Plinegen and/or linetype generation enabled
Yup, tried that too to no avail, though it is handy to know about. Maybe there's something screwed up in the particular drawing itself that just won't let go.
At any rate, the input I've received has been a great reference on all about linetype scales. I'll be looking back at this thread from time to time.
Plinegen and/or linetype generation enabled
"Yup, tried that too to no avail, though it is handy to know about. Maybe there's something screwed up in the particular drawing itself that just won't let go."
That could easily be the case. Why don't you create a new drawing using your standard template, insert the screwy drawing, and explode it? Might work, might not...
Plinegen and/or linetype generation enabled
Might try an audit, then -purge r to remove bad stuff. I constantly do this on all mt drawings. Amazing how many external programs will jack up your drawings.
If I'm starting from scratch, new dwg, I just set my scale in Settings, and don't check, Use paper space units for scaling.
Linetypes are fine then. The only time that I have problems is when I'm in a dwg created by someone else who's already altered linetypes and there're things going on that are beyond my ACAD intelligence.
There is a global (by drawing) LTSCALE system variable, then each entity has an linetype scale multiplier. What you see on the screen, or plotted on paper, for each entity, is the product of the 2 numbers.
The system variable CELTSCALE controls the linetype scalar that new entities are created at. Typically you would have this at 1. You can change this value for individual entities in the Properties dialog box.
The LTSCALE system variable would typically be set to 20 for a 1"=20' drawing, at 40 for 1"=40', etc. Or, if using paper space, this LTSCALE setting could be overridden in accordance with the PSLTSCALE setting.
Are they actually lines or polylines?
What happens if you explode all?
I'd Save As and see what happens if you go down that path.
I've found this has on odd occasions fixed contrary linetype scale factors.
What happens if you change to a different line type?
Import another linetype, or the same and over ride the existing?
These things can be annoying to the nth degree.
