Can’t Change Lineweight in AutoCAD?

Understanding Lineweight in AutoCAD

Lineweight is an essential feature in AutoCAD, allowing for clear differentiation between various elements in technical drawings. However, users may sometimes encounter challenges when trying to alter lineweights. This guide provides detailed steps to help you successfully change lineweight settings in AutoCAD.

What is Lineweight?

Lineweight refers to the thickness of lines used in drawings. This attribute influences how graphics appear, enhancing visibility and clarity by differentiating various types of lines and layers. Lineweight settings can affect prints, on-screen displays, and how different elements are perceived in relation to one another.

Setting the Default Lineweight

1. Access the Lineweight Settings:

   • Navigate to the Format menu at the top of your AutoCAD interface.
   • Click on "Lineweight" to view the current options.

2. Modify the Default Value:

   • Locate the option for the "LWDEFAULT" variable.
   • Set this variable according to your preference, with a typical starting point being 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm.
3. Save Changes:
   • Ensure that all new layers use the updated default settings by applying your changes.

Determining Current Lineweight

To view lineweights in your current drawing:

1. Show/Hide Lineweight:

   • Locate the status bar at the bottom right of the AutoCAD window.
   • Click the "Show/Hide Lineweight" button, which toggles the visibility of lineweight in the display.
2. Check Visibility:
   • If changes are not visible, consider the drawing scale and display resolution. Adjusting these may render lineweights more effectively.

Changing Lineweight for Specific Objects

1. Select the Object:

   • Click on the line or object whose lineweight you wish to change.

2. Open Properties:

   • Right-click the selected object.
   • Choose “Properties” from the context menu.
3. Adjust Lineweight:
   • In the Properties palette, find the “Lineweight” dropdown menu.
   • Choose the desired lineweight from the list.
   • Click outside the palette to apply changes.

Using the Properties Toolbar

1. Access the Properties Toolbar:

   • Ensure that the Properties toolbar is visible. If not, right-click on a blank area of the toolbar section and check "Properties."

2. Select Your Object:

   • Click on the object for which you want to change the lineweight.
3. Modify Line Properties:
   • Within the Properties toolbar, locate the lineweight settings.
   • From here, you can set a specific line thickness, applying it directly to the selected object.

Batch Changes to Lineweight

For modifying the lineweight for multiple objects:

1. Use Quick Select:

   • Type "QSELECT" into the command line and press Enter.
   • Set the selection criteria (e.g., object type, color).

2. Select All:

   • Choose “Select All” as your operator to modify all objects matching your criteria.
3. Change Global Width:
   • In the Properties palette, find the “Global Width” section under geometry.
   • Set your desired width and confirm your selection.

Troubleshooting Lineweight Issues

If changes to lineweight do not appear as expected:

1. Check Plot Style Settings:

   • Ensure that the plot style assigned to your drawing is not overriding lineweight settings.
   • Access the Page Setup Manager to check plot style configurations.

2. Regenerate the Drawing:

   • Sometimes, an update is needed for changes to reflect. Run the “REGEN” command to force AutoCAD to refresh the drawing display.
3. Verify System Variables:
   • Check values like LTSCALE and PSLTSCALE. Incorrect settings can affect the appearance of lineweights in viewports.

FAQ

Q1: Why isn’t my new lineweight showing up on the plot?
A1: Ensure that your plot style settings aren’t set to override object colors and lineweights. Check your Page Setup Manager and adjust the settings accordingly.

Q2: How do I revert to the default lineweight after making changes?
A2: You can reset the lineweight by returning to the Format menu, selecting Lineweight, and resetting the LWDEFAULT system variable to its original setting.

Q3: What if lineweights appear differently when printing compared to on-screen?
A3: This discrepancy may arise from the current display settings versus plot styles. Always preview your drawing before final printing to check for consistency.