Currently it’s hard to see that the lines drawn on the A-ROOF layer are indeed
dashed, as specified in the Layer Properties Manager. Unless you zoom in to a line on the A-ROOF layer, the lines look continuous, like the objects on the other layers in your drawing. This is because the dashes inside the Dashed linetype are set up to be 1⁄2″ (13 mm) long with 1⁄4″ (6 mm) spaces. Using the linetype scale,or LTSCALE as many call it, you will tell AutoCAD how to scale your linetypes.Interestingly enough, a drawing’s linetype scale is controlled by three LTSCALE variables:
▶▶ LTSCALE (Linetype Scale)
▶▶ PSLTSCALE (Paper Space Linetype Scale)
▶▶ MSLTSCALE (Model Space Linetype Scale)
With three variables to choose from, it’s probably easy to see how one of
the most debated topics among AutoCAD users is what setting should be used for these variables. I’ll show you two popular ways people choose to set these variables. The first is a manual approach, and the second is what I like to call LTSCALE autopilot.
In comparison to the LTSCALE variable itself, both PSLTSCALE and MSLTSCALE
are relative newcomers. Consequently, many users still prefer to calculate their
LTSCALE value manually. A common architectural scale is 1⁄2″ = 1′-0″. To make the dashed line segments plot (print) 1⁄2″ long (as desired), divide 12″ (1 foot) into 1⁄2″ (12″ × 1⁄2″ = 24).
If you set LTSCALE to 24, PSLTSCALE to 0, and MSLTSCALE to 0, the dashes for the DASHED linetype assigned to the A-ROOF layer will plot 1⁄2″ long. A big drawback to this method is that your dashes will be 1⁄2″ long only if you plot your drawing at a scale of 1⁄2″ = 1′-0″. Plotting your drawing at a scale of 1⁄4″ = 1′-0″ would translate to the dashes in your drawing plotting 1⁄4″ long.
If you’re confused by this method of calculating and setting the various
LTSCALE variables, you’re not alone. The method I’m going to show you next is
both a little easier and more modern than the first way I showed you. The following
steps demonstrate how to put LTSCALE on autopilot:
1. Make sure I06-11-DrawingRoof.dwg (M06-11-DrawingRoof.dwg)
is open.
2. Enter LTSCALE↵ or LTS↵. The prompt in the command-line interface
reads Enter new linetype scale factor <1.0000>:.
3. Enter 1↵ to set the linetype scale factor to 1. Nothing changes quite
yet, as the default value for LTSCALE is 1.
4. Enter PSLTSCALE↵.
5. When you see the prompt Enter new value for PSLTSCALE:, enter 1↵.
6. Enter MSLTSCALE↵.
7. When you see the prompt Enter new value for MSLTSCALE:, enter 1↵.
8. Change the annotation scale of your drawing by clicking the Scale
drop-down on the status bar, and select 1⁄2″ = 1′-0″ from the list of
scales, as shown in Figure 6.45.
F igu re 6 . 4 5 : The Annotation Scale list
If you aren’t satisfied with the dash size (shown in Figure 6.46),
change the annotation scale again. An advantage to this method is
that you can preview any scale (by changing the annotation scale)
without affecting any drawing sheets in your project. Layout viewports
have an annotation scale much like the Annotation Scale property
you just changed for model space. With LTSCALE, PSLTSCALE, and
MSLTSCALE each set to 1, AutoCAD will automatically calculate the
correct linetype scale based on the properties of each individual view
F igu re 6 . 4 6 : The eaves lines on the Roof layer with visible dashes
9. Save this drawing as I06-12-LinetypeScale.dwg (M06-12-
LinetypeScale.dwg).
Incoming search terms:
- APPLING LINE TYPE SCALE TO LAYER
Related posts:
Using the Current Layer as a Drawing Tool
Drawing with Grid and Snap Autocad
Autocad_LINETYPES AND LINETYPE SCALE
Selecting Walls with the Select Similar Command
Using the Properties Palette to Examine a Block
Using the Layer Properties Manager
Using Relative Coordinates Autocad
Cleaning Up Wall Lines