AutoCAD: What Is Global Width?

Understanding Global Width in AutoCAD

Global width in AutoCAD is a vital parameter that determines the thickness of polylines across your design. This feature is particularly useful when uniformity in line thickness is necessary for clarity and aesthetic appeal.

Setting Global Width for Polylines

To adjust the global width of all polylines in your drawing:

1. Open the Properties Palette: You can do this by right-clicking on any object and selecting "Properties" from the context menu.

2. Select Polylines: Type QSELECT in the command line to open the Quick Select dialog box. Here, you will need to:

   • Change the Object Type to "Polyline."
   • Set the Operator to "Select All."
   • Click "OK."
3. Adjust Global Width: In the Properties palette, find the field labeled "Global Width." Input your desired width, for instance, changing it to 0.25 inches.

Now, all selected polylines will appear uniformly with the set width.

Disabling Global Width

If you want to deactivate global width for a specific polyline or return to default settings:

1. Select the Polyline: Click on the polyline you wish to modify.

2. Access the Properties Palette: Right-click and select "Properties."

3. Change Global Width to Zero: In the Properties palette, set the Global Width value to 0. This effectively removes any thickness assigned to that polyline.

Common Reasons for Thick Polylines

Thicker-than-intended polylines may stem from the global width settings being set too high. If your design’s polylines appear overly thick, check the global width setting and adjust it as needed.

Lineweight Basics

Lineweight in AutoCAD refers to the visual thickness of lines, impacting how objects appear in print and on screen. Assigning different lineweights can effectively communicate object importance, boundaries, or design hierarchies in technical drawings.

Adding Thickness to a Polyline

If you want to thicken an existing polyline:

1. Select the Polyline: Click on the desired polyline in your drawing area.

2. Open the Properties Palette: Right-click and choose "Properties."

3. Set the Thickness: In the General tab, find the “Thickness” field and enter your desired value for thickness.

Displaying Line Thickness

To show the thickness of lines in your AutoCAD workspace:

1. Use the Command Line: Type LWDISPLAY and set it to On (or 1).

2. Status Bar Options: Alternatively, you can access the Show/Hide Lineweight button from the status bar for a quick toggle.

Resetting a Polyline

To reset a polyline to its default state:

1. Invoke the Command: Enter PLINE in the command line and press enter.

2. Select the Polyline: Click on the polyline you wish to reset.

3. Reset Width: Type L, hit enter, then 0, and press enter again to finalize the command.

Converting Line to Polyline

If you need to convert a standard line into a polyline:

1. Use the Command: Type PE in the command line and press enter.

2. Select the Line: Click on the line in the drawing area and press enter to convert it into a polyline.

Exploring Line Types

AutoCAD handles various line types, including:

• Straight Lines: Which can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
• Curved Lines: Including arcs and circles.

These are foundational in creating diverse geometric shapes and patterns.

The Default Line Weight in AutoCAD 2025

The default line weight, dictated by the LWDEFAULT system variable, is initially set to 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm. All newly created layers will adopt this default unless specified otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I quickly select all polylines in my drawing?
Use the QSELECT command, set the object type to "Polyline," and select "Select All."

2. What happens when the global width is set to zero?
Setting the global width to zero removes any thickness, reverting the polyline to its default lineweight settings.

3. How do I check the current lineweight settings in AutoCAD?
You can check the lineweight settings in the Properties palette or by typing LWDISPLAY in the command line to toggle the visibility of line thickening.