How to Show Lineweight in AutoCAD 2018?

Understanding Lineweight in AutoCAD 2018

Lineweight is a crucial element in technical drawings, affecting how graphical objects, dimensions, and lines are visually represented. It influences not only the aesthetics but also the clarity of the drawing. Knowing how to display and manage lineweights in AutoCAD 2018 can significantly enhance your design workflow.

Displaying Lineweight in AutoCAD 2018

To make lineweights visible in your AutoCAD 2018 workspace, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Line: Locate the command line at the bottom of your AutoCAD interface.
2. Type the Command: Enter LWDISPLAY and press Enter. This command controls the visibility of lineweights.
3. Set the Value: Type On or simply 1 to enable lineweight display. This ensures that any lineweights applied to objects are visible on your screen.

Alternatively, you can add the Show/Hide Lineweight button to the status bar for easier access:

1. Right-click on the Status Bar: Look for the status bar at the bottom of your AutoCAD window.
2. Customize: Select the option to customize the status bar, and enable the Show/Hide Lineweight button.

Adjusting Lineweight Settings

To modify the lineweight settings in AutoCAD 2018, perform the following:

1. Access Properties: Navigate to the Home tab and locate the Properties panel.
2. Select Lineweight: Click on the Lineweight drop-down menu.
3. Choose Settings: From the options, select Lineweight Settings. This opens a dialog box where you can select your preferred lineweights for new objects.

Default Lineweight Configuration

Setting a default lineweight for your layers can streamline your design process. To do this:

1. Open Layer Properties: Click on the Home tab and find the Layers panel.
2. Layer Properties Manager: Click on Layer Properties.
3. Edit Lineweight: Locate the Lineweight column. Click on the current lineweight setting for the layer you wish to modify.
4. Choose New Lineweight: In the dialog box, select a new lineweight to set as default. This lineweight will apply to all objects created in that layer until changed.

Displaying Lineweights in Paper Space

To ensure that lineweights are visible in paper space, follow these steps:

1. Format Menu: Click on the Format menu in the top toolbar.
2. Lineweight Selection: Select Lineweight from the dropdown to open the Lineweight Settings dialog box.
3. Enable Lineweight Display: In this dialog, ensure that the Display Lineweight option is checked. This will allow lineweights to be visible when plotting or viewing layouts in paper space.

Additional Tips for Lineweight Management

• Check Display Settings: If lineweights do not appear as expected, it could be due to the monitor’s resolution—adjust display settings as needed.
• Global Lineweight Changes: If uniformity is needed across multiple polylines, the command QSELECT can be used to select all polylines and adjust their width collectively.

FAQ

How can I ensure my lineweights are printed correctly?
Make sure that your plot style settings are configured to consistently reflect the lineweights in your drawings. Check your page setup and ensure that the correct plot style is selected.

What is the difference between lineweight and line type?
Lineweight refers to the thickness of the line which affects visibility and emphasis, while line type refers to the pattern of the line (continuous, dashed, etc.) used to convey specific information in technical drawings.

Can I set different lineweights for different layers?
Yes, each layer in your AutoCAD drawing can be assigned a unique lineweight, allowing for better organization and differentiation of drawing elements. Use the Layer Properties Manager to manage these settings easily.