How to Change Lineweight of Polyline in AutoCAD?

Adjusting Lineweight for Polylines in AutoCAD

Changing the lineweight of a polyline in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that enhances the visibility and distinction of your drawings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to effectively modify the lineweight of a polyline.

Modifying the Width of an Existing Polyline

1. Activate the Command: Type PE (Polyline Edit) in the command line and hit Enter.

2. Select the Polyline: Click on the polyline you wish to adjust. Ensure it’s highlighted to confirm selection.

3. Access Width Options: Choose the width option from the command bar.

4. Set Desired Width: Enter the new width value you wish to apply and press Enter to confirm.

This method allows for easy adjustments of existing polylines without needing to recreate them.

Setting Default Lineweight for New Polylines

1. Initiate Polyline Editing: Go to the Home tab and find the Modify panel. Click on “Edit Polyline.”

2. Select Target Polyline: Choose the polyline where you want to set the default thickness.

3. Edit Vertex Width: Type e to access Edit Vertex options. The first vertex will be marked with an X.

4. Input Width Settings: Type w to specify width and input both the starting and ending widths.

5. Proceed Through Vertices: Press Enter to move to the next vertex or type x to exit out of the editing mode.

By setting a default lineweight during the initial phases, you streamline your workflow for future designs.

Reducing the Lineweight of a Polyline

1. Select the Edit Tool: Find the Edit Polyline tool from the Modify toolbar or type PE.

2. Choose the Polyline: Click on the desired polyline to edit it.

3. Access Width Settings: When prompted, choose the Width option or simply type W and hit Enter.

4. Specify New Width: Enter the reduced width value in the command line and press `Enter’.

5. Finalize Edits: Continue editing as needed or finish by pressing Enter.

This procedure ensures your polylines can easily be fine-tuned to meet design specifications.

Identifying and Adjusting Global Lineweight

1. Open Properties Palette: Select the polyline and open the Properties panel.

2. Change Global Width: Look for the Global Width setting and adjust it to zero if you wish to remove any thickness.

3. Use QSELECT Command: For batch modifications, type QSELECT, select “Polyline” as the object type, then specify that the Global Width is not equal to zero.

4. Apply New Settings: Change the Global Width value under the Properties window to your desired thickness, e.g., 0.25.

These adjustments provide a clean and consistent look across multiple polylines.

Options for Closing an Open Polyline

A polyline can consist of straight lines, arcs, or a combination of both. While creating or modifying a polyline, it can remain open or be closed as necessary. If an open polyline needs to be converted into a closed one, select the polyline, access the properties, and choose the option to close it.

Resetting the Default Polyline Width

1. Initiate Command: Type Pline in the command line and left-click on the drawing area.

2. Input Commands: Type L for line and 0 to set the linewidth back to zero.

3. Complete the Command: Finalize the command to reset to the default polyline settings, ensuring consistency in future drawings.

FAQ

Q1: Can I apply a different lineweight to different segments of a polyline?
Yes, by using the Edit Polyline command, you can specify different widths for each vertex of the polyline.

Q2: What should I do if the lineweight appears too thick even after adjustment?
Check the global lineweight settings in the Properties panel. Ensure that the lineweight for the polyline is consistent with what you’ve set.

Q3: How do I visualize lineweights in my drawing?
Ensure the Lineweight Display is turned on. You can find this option in the settings menu or with the LWDISPLAY system variable.