How to Give Global Width in AutoCAD?

Understanding Global Width in AutoCAD

Global width settings in AutoCAD allow users to apply a uniform thickness to polylines, streamlining design consistency across projects. This feature is particularly useful when a specific appearance is desired for multiple polylines. Below is a detailed guide on how to set and modify global width in AutoCAD.

Setting Global Width for All Polylines

1. Open the Properties Palette:

   • Start AutoCAD and load your drawing.
   • Access the Properties palette by typing PROPERTIES in the command line or pressing CTRL + 1.

2. Select All Polylines:

   • Enter QSELECT in the command line. A dialog box will appear.
   • Set the “Object Type” to “Polyline”.
   • Choose the operator as “Select All” and hit “OK”. This will select every polyline in your drawing.
3. Adjust the Global Width:
   • Within the Properties palette, look for the “Global Width” field.
   • Enter your desired width (for instance, 0.25) to apply it across all selected polylines.

Changing the Width of Individual Polylines

1. Use the PEDIT Command:

   • Activate the command by typing PE in the command line and press “Enter”.

2. Select Your Polyline:

   • Click on the polyline you wish to modify.
3. Choose Width Option:
   • After selecting the polyline, look for the width option in the command line and select it.
   • Input the new width value you wish to apply and press “Enter”.

Displaying Polyline Thickness

To visualize the thickness of the lines in your drawing:

1. Lineweight Display Adjustment:

   • Type LWDISPLAY in the command line.
   • Set the value to On or 1 to enable line thickness visibility.
2. Using the Status Bar:
   • Add the “Show/Hide Lineweight” button to your status bar for quick toggling.

Using Global Width

To utilize the global width effectively:

1. Creating a Circle:

   • Draw a circle on your canvas.

2. Command Boundary:

   • Type BOUNDARY in the command line.

3. Settings in Boundary Creation:

   • Ensure that “Object Type” is set to “Polyline”.

4. Select Points:

   • Click on the “Pick Points” button and select inside the drawn circle.

5. Finalize the Polyline:

   • Press “Enter” to convert the selected area into a circle polyline.
6. Change Width Using PEDIT:
   • Follow the previously described steps to adjust the width using the PE command.

Modifying Default Line Width

1. Access Layer Properties:

   • On the ribbon, navigate to the “Home” tab and find the “Layers” panel.
   • Click on “Layer Properties”.
2. Select Lineweight:
   • In the Layer Properties Manager, locate the “Lineweight” column.
   • Click on the lineweight you wish to modify and select a new value in the Lineweight dialog that appears.

Why Polylines May Appear Thick

Polylines can seem excessively thick if:

• The global width is unintentionally set to a larger value.
• The lineweight for the layer is configured too high. Adjust these settings for a more accurate representation.

Adjusting Default Line Thickness

1. Setting Layer Defaults:

   • Define the default lineweight by setting either to BYLAYER or BYBLOCK within the layer properties.
2. Using CELWEIGHT Variable:
   • Alter the CELWEIGHT variable to match the lineweight values.

FAQ

1. How can I quickly select multiple polylines in AutoCAD?
Use the QSELECT command to filter and select all polylines quickly. Set the object type to "Polyline" and choose "Select All".

2. What command do I use to change the width of a singular polyline?
The PEDIT command is used for this purpose, allowing you to select the polyline and adjust its width directly.

3. Can I see the line thickness while I am drawing?
Yes, by enabling the lineweight display using the LWDISPLAY command or through the Show/Hide Lineweight button on the status bar.