Understanding Global Width in AutoCAD
To modify the global width of a polyline in AutoCAD, follow a systematic approach to ensure that your drawing meets your specifications. The global width impacts how the line appears on the drawing, affecting both presentations and printing standards.
Step-by-Step Guide to Change Global Width
Step 1: Select the Polyline
Begin by identifying the polyline whose global width you intend to adjust. Use the mouse to click on it within the drawing area. Ensure that it is highlighted to confirm selection.
Step 2: Open the Properties Palette
Right-click on the selected polyline. From the context menu that appears, choose ‘Properties’. This action will open the Properties palette, which provides a range of options to modify various attributes of the selected object.
Step 3: Adjust Global Width
Within the Properties palette, navigate to the section labeled ‘Geometry’. Look for the option titled ‘Global Width’. To maintain a uniform appearance, adjust this value to the desired thickness or set it to zero if no width is needed. Enter the new width in the field provided.
Using QSELECT for Batch Changes
If you have multiple polylines and wish to change their global width simultaneously, employ the QSELECT tool.
Step 1: Access QSELECT
Type QSELECT into the command line and hit the Enter key. This command opens a dialog box that allows you to set criteria for selecting objects.
Step 2: Define Selection Criteria
From the dialog box, choose ‘Polyline’ under the Object Type dropdown menu. Then, set up the property filter by selecting ‘Global Width’ and choosing ‘Not Equal to’ along with the value of zero. This method will help in identifying all polylines that currently have a global width applied other than zero.
Step 3: Modify Selected Polylines
After the selection, right-click on any of the highlighted polylines and again open the Properties palette. Adjust the Global Width for all selected polylines in a single action.
Setting the Default Width with PLINEWID
For those who want to set a standard width for future polylines:
Step 1: Open Command Line
Type PLINEWID into the command line and press Enter.
Step 2: Input Desired Width
When prompted, enter the preferred default width for polylines. Setting this system variable ensures consistent line widths for newly created polylines.
FAQ
1. What happens if I set the Global Width to zero?
Setting the Global Width to zero means the polyline will not have any thickness applied to it. This is useful for creating standard outlines without added thickness when exporting or printing.
2. How can I quickly identify which polylines have different widths?
Use the QSELECT command to filter out polylines based on their Global Width. This will allow you to easily identify and modify any that do not meet your requirements.
3. Is there a way to preview how changes will look in the final print?
Yes, you can utilize the Print Preview feature in AutoCAD. This allows you to see how line widths and other properties will appear on paper before committing to the print process.
