How to Change Global Thickness of Line in AutoCAD

Understanding Global Line Thickness in AutoCAD

In AutoCAD, the thickness of lines plays a vital role in the clarity and professionalism of your drawings. Adjusting the global thickness can enhance the visibility of elements and ensure that your designs communicate the intended message. Here’s how to modify the global thickness of lines in AutoCAD 2025 effectively.

Changing the Global Line Thickness through Layer Properties

1. Access the Layer Properties Manager:

   • Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon.
   • Locate the Layers Panel.
   • Click on Layer Properties to open the Layer Properties Manager.

2. Adjust Lineweight:

   • Once the Layer Properties Manager is open, look for the column labeled Lineweight.
   • Click on the current lineweight value of the layer you wish to change.
   • A dialog box will appear, offering a selection of various lineweight options, such as 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, etc.
   • Choose the desired thickness and confirm the selection.
3. Apply Changes:
   • Ensure all objects you want to be affected are assigned to the layer you modified.
   • The new line thickness will apply to all future entities created on this layer.

Setting Default Line Thickness for Polylines

1. Open the Polyline Edit Function:

   • Click the Home tab then go to the Modify panel.
   • Select Edit Polyline from the dropdown.

2. Select the Polyline:

   • Choose the polyline whose thickness you intend to change.

3. Modify Widths:

   • Enter ‘e’ to edit vertices. The first vertex will be indicated.
   • Then, enter ‘w’ (Width) to initiate a change in width.
   • Input the starting and ending widths as required, ensuring they are appropriate for your design intent.
4. Confirm Changes:
   • Press Enter to proceed to the next vertex or type ‘x’ if you want to stop the editing process at that vertex.

Utilizing Properties Palette for Global Thickness Adjustment

1. Open the Properties Palette:

   • Make sure that no objects are currently selected.
   • If the Properties palette is not visible, access it by clicking on the View tab and selecting Palettes, then click Properties.

2. Select the Line:

   • Click on the specific line you want to adjust within your drawing.

3. Adjust Global Width:

   • In the Properties window, locate the section labeled Global Width.
   • Modify this value to the desired thickness level by entering a numerical value. Use zero if you wish to revert to default line thickness.
4. Batch Changing Thickness:
   • If you want to modify multiple lines, utilize the QSELECT command by typing it in the command line.
   • Set the object type to “Polyline,” set the operator to “Not Equal To,” and enter zero for the Global Width. This action enables changing the thickness of all selected polylines simultaneously.

Showing Line Thickness in AutoCAD

To visualize line thickness in AutoCAD:

• Command Input: Type LWDISPLAY into the command line and set its value to On. This command allows you to see the thickness of lines in your drawing.
• Alternatively, locate and use the Show/Hide Lineweight button on your status bar to toggle the visibility of line weights.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the default line thickness in AutoCAD?
The default line thickness is determined by the LWDEFAULT system variable, which is initially set to 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm in AutoCAD 2025.

2. How can I check the thickness of an existing line?
To check the thickness of an existing line, select the line object and open the Properties palette. The thickness can be viewed under the General section.

3. Why does my polyline appear thicker than expected?
A polyline may appear thicker if it has a global width setting applied. Verify the thickness setting using the Properties palette and adjust as necessary.