How to Adjust Global Width in AutoCAD?

Understanding Global Width in AutoCAD

Adjusting the global width of polylines in AutoCAD can significantly influence your design aesthetic and the clarity of your drawings. The global width determines how thick the lines in polylines appear, affecting both visual representation and print quality. The following steps will guide you through adjusting the global width in AutoCAD.

Steps to Change Global Width

1. Select the Polyline:

   • Click on the polyline whose global width you want to adjust. Ensure that it is highlighted, indicating that it’s selected.

2. Open the Properties Palette:

   • Right-click on the selected polyline and choose “Properties” from the context menu.
   • Alternatively, you can type PROPERTIES into the command line and press Enter to open the Properties palette.
3. Adjust Global Width:
   • In the Properties palette, locate the “Geometry” section. Here, you will see an option labeled “Global Width.”
   • To set the global width to zero, simply input 0 in the field next to “Global Width.” This will make the line width thin or nonexistent, depending on your preferences.

Changing Global Width for Multiple Polylines

1. Use Quick Select (QSELECT):

   • Initiate the command by typing QSELECT into the command line and pressing Enter.
   • In the dialog that appears, set the “Object Type” to “Polyline.”
   • For the property, select “Global Width” and set the Operator to “Not Equal to” and value to 0. This allows you to select all polylines that currently have a width set.
2. Apply Changes:
   • With the desired polylines selected, revisit the Properties palette.
   • Input 0 for the Global Width. All selected polylines will now reflect this change simultaneously.

Troubleshooting Thick Polylines

Polylines may appear thicker than expected due to their global width settings. If you notice undesired thickness:

1. Check Global Width:

   • Select the polyline and open the Properties palette to check the current global width setting.
   • If it is not set to 0, follow the steps outlined above to adjust it.
2. Resetting Polyline Width:
   • To reset the width, enter the command PEDIT in the command line.
   • Select the polyline; when prompted, type L for linewidth and enter 0. This action will revert the polyline width back to its default setting.

Drawing Thick Lines

If you wish to create polylines with a specific thickness:

1. Select the Line:

   • After drawing a line using the LINE command (L), click to select it.
2. Adjust Lineweight:
   • Navigate to the “Home” tab, locate the “Properties” panel, and find the “Lineweight” option.
   • From the drop-down menu, you can select the desired thickness for the line you just created. This setting will affect only the selected line.

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between global width and lineweight in AutoCAD?
Global width applies specifically to polylines, determining their thickness. Lineweight, on the other hand, can be applied to various object types, affecting their visible thickness in both the drawing and print formats.

Q2: How can I view lineweights in the drawing area?
To visualize how different lineweights appear in your drawing, go to the “View” tab, and enable “Lineweight” to see the changes as you adjust your settings.

Q3: Are there command shortcuts for adjusting polyline properties?
Yes. You can use the PEDIT command for editing polylines and making bulk property adjustments, including changing widths or converting lines to polylines.