How to Create Hidden Lines in AutoCAD?

Understanding Hidden Lines in AutoCAD

Hidden lines are essential in technical drawings as they depict edges and features not visible in the current view. Recognizing how to create and manipulate these lines will significantly enhance your drafting capabilities.

Steps to Create Hidden Lines in AutoCAD

Step 1: Setting Up Your Workspace

1. Open your AutoCAD drawing file.
2. Ensure you are using the appropriate workspace for your project (typically Drafting and Annotation).

Step 2: Accessing Line Type Settings

1. Locate the Home tab on the ribbon.
2. Click on the Linetype dropdown in the Properties panel.
3. Choose Other to open the Linetype Manager.

Step 3: Loading the Hidden Linetype

1. In the Linetype Manager dialog, click Load.
2. From the list that appears, select Hidden and click OK to load it into your drawing.

Step 4: Drawing the Hidden Line

1. Select the Line or Polyline tool from the Draw panel.
2. Before placing your line, ensure it is set to the Hidden line type:
   • Right-click and select Properties.
   • In the Properties palette, locate the Linetype dropdown and choose Hidden.
3. Draw your line by clicking to set start and endpoint.

Step 5: Adjusting Linetype Scale

1. If the hidden line does not appear as expected (e.g., too long dashes), you may need to adjust the linetype scale.
2. Use the command line:
   • Type LTSCALE and hit Enter.
   • Set the value to 1 or adjust according to your drawing scale for better visibility.

Step 6: Confirming Visibility in Layouts

1. Switch to your layout view by clicking on a layout tab.
2. Double-click inside the layout viewport to activate it.
3. Zoom into the area where the hidden line is drawn. Ensure that the viewport scale allows for the hidden lines to display correctly. If necessary, adjust the viewport scale.

Finding and Modifying Hidden Lines

To identify hidden lines in your drawing:

1. Use the Viewport settings to check visibility.
2. If hidden lines are not visible, access the Properties and verify line type assignments.

Common Questions about Hidden Lines in AutoCAD

1. Why aren’t my hidden lines displaying correctly?
When hidden lines do not appear in your drawing, the most common reason is an incorrect linetype scale (LTSCALE). Ensure it’s set appropriately for your viewport.

2. How do I switch between different line types like hidden and visible?
You can change the line type by selecting the object, right-clicking, and then using the Properties palette to select your desired line type.

3. Can I print drawings with hidden lines?
Yes, you can print drawings that include hidden lines. Ensure you’ve configured the Page Setup settings correctly to include hidden geometry, often found within the Plot Options in the Page Setup Manager.