How to Create New Linetype in AutoCAD 2018?

Understanding Linetypes in AutoCAD

Creating new linetypes in AutoCAD can enhance the clarity and presentation of your drawings. A linetype defines how a line appears in a drawing, which can include different styles such as dashed, dotted, or even custom text patterns. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a new linetype in AutoCAD 2025.

Step 1: Open the Linetype Manager

1. Access the Linetype Manager: Open AutoCAD and navigate to the Home tab. In the Properties panel, locate the Linetype drop-down list.
2. Select ‘Other’: Click on ‘Other’ to open the Linetype Manager dialog.

Step 2: Create a New Linetype

1. Initiate the Linetype Creation Command: In the command prompt, type -linetype and press Enter. This will allow you to create a new linetype.
2. Select ‘C’ for Create: Type C and hit Enter to indicate that you want to create a new linetype.
3. Name Your Linetype: You will be prompted to enter a name for your new linetype. Type in a descriptive name and press Enter.
4. Designate a File: In the Create or Append Linetype dialog, you have the option to select an existing LIN file or create a new one. If you need a new file, simply enter a name for it in the File Name field.

Step 3: Define the Linetype Pattern

1. Add the Pattern: In the next prompt, you will specify the pattern for your linetype. This can include various symbols, dashes, or even text.
2. Use the Correct Format: If incorporating text, follow this format: [“text”, text_style_name, scale, rotation, xoffset, yoffset]. Each element defines how the text will appear along the line.

Step 4: Save the New Linetype

1. Finalizing Changes: After defining the pattern, ensure you confirm any dialog boxes open by selecting ‘OK’ or ‘Save’. This step is crucial to make your linetype available for use in your current or future drawings.

Step 5: Implement the New Linetype

1. Apply the Linetype: To use your newly created linetype, you can select it from the Linetype drop-down in the Properties panel.
2. Assign to Entities: Select the objects you want to affect and change their linetype through the Properties palette by selecting the new linetype from the list.

FAQs

1. How do I load existing linetypes in AutoCAD?
To load existing linetypes, open the Linetype Manager, select ‘Load’ in the dialog box, choose a LIN file, and click ‘Open’. The linetypes should now be available in the list.

2. Why isn’t my linetype displaying correctly?
If the linetype isn’t displaying as expected, check the text style associated with it. Ensure that the height is set to 0 to allow proper scaling in the drawing.

3. Can I edit an existing linetype?
Yes, to edit an existing linetype, you would need to first unload it in the Linetype Manager, then create a new linetype with the desired modifications, using the steps mentioned above.