How To Change Default Global Width In AutoCAD?

Understanding Global Width in AutoCAD

Adjusting the default global width in AutoCAD is essential for achieving precise line thickness in your drawings. The global width affects the appearance of polylines, which are a frequent component in any design project. This guide will take you through the steps to change the default global width efficiently, especially useful for those transitioning to AutoCAD 2025.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change Default Global Width

1. Open AutoCAD 2025: Launch the application and make sure you have the drawing you want to modify open.

2. Access the Properties Palette:

   • Click on any polyline you wish to adjust in the drawing area.
   • Right-click the selected polyline and choose “Properties” from the context menu. This will activate the Properties palette, showcasing various attributes of the selected line.

3. Modify Global Width:

   • Within the Properties palette, locate the “Global Width” setting. Here, you can specify the desired width.
   • Enter the new width value. Keep in mind that a common setting is “0” for no thickness, while you can set it to higher values based on your design requirements.

4. Saving Changes:

   • After inputting your desired width, ensure that you apply these changes. The new global width will apply to all selected polylines in your drawing.
5. Batch Change Global Width (Optional):
   • For multiple polylines, you can use the Quick Select (QSELECT) tool.
   • Type QSELECT into the command line and hit Enter.
   • In the dialog box, set the object type to “Polyline.” Choose the “Global Width” property, and set the condition to “Not Equal to” and input your current global width.
   • Select all applicable polylines and confirm. This batch process will update the global width for all selected objects simultaneously, making it a time-efficient method.

Adjusting Common Lineweights

• Lineweight Adjustments: Often, changing the default global width does not suffice. You may also want to adjust the line weights in your layers.
  1. Navigate to the Home tab, then to the Layers Panel, and select Layer Properties.
  2. In the Layer Properties Manager, find the “Lineweight” column.
  3. Click the current lineweight to open the dialog window, and choose the new default lineweight for that layer.

FAQ

1. How does global width differ from lineweight in AutoCAD?
Global width specifies the thickness of polylines, while lineweight refers to the visual thickness set for lines within a layer or drawing, affecting how they appear on prints and screen.

2. Can I set a default global width for new drawings in AutoCAD?
Yes, to set a default global width for new drawings, modify the template drawing settings before creating a new project to ensure that all new polylines will reflect this global width.

3. What should I do if my polyline still appears too thick after changing the global width?
If the appearance of your polylines still doesn’t match your expectations, check whether there are overrides applied at the layer level or review the individual properties of the polyline which may still contain specific thickness settings.