How To Get Dashed Lines To Print In AutoCAD?

Understanding Dashed Lines in AutoCAD

Creating dashed lines in AutoCAD is essential for various types of drawings, from architectural plans to engineering schematics. However, users often face issues when it comes to printing these lines correctly. This guide provides detailed steps to ensure your dashed lines appear as intended in printed outputs.

Setting Up Linetype Scale

1. Access the Linetype Manager:

   • Navigate to the Format menu and select Linetype.
   • This will open the Linetype Manager, where you can see the list of available linetypes.

2. Adjust the Global Linetype Scale:

   • In the Linetype Manager, check the current Global Scale Factor.
   • If it’s set to 1, your dashed lines will have the dash length defined within their properties. Lower values will make dashes denser, while higher values increase the space between dashes.
3. Use the LTSCALE Command:
   • Type LTSCALE in the command line and press Enter.
   • Enter a new value that suits the appearance of your dashed lines. A common starting point is to keep it at 1 for standard uses.

Configuring Paper Space

1. Ensure PSLTSCALE is Set Correctly:

   • Type PSLTSCALE in the command line. Set it to 1 to ensure dashed lines maintain consistency across different viewport scales in paper space.
   • This setting links the model space linetype scaling with paper space.
2. Check Your Drawing Units:
   • Verify if the measurement units match your project requirements. Use Imperial or Metric consistently to avoid scaling issues. Access this through the UNITS command and choose the appropriate unit type for your drawing.

Creating and Printing Dashed Lines

1. Drawing Dashed Lines:

   • Activate the line tool or polyline tool in your workspace.
   • From the properties (right-click and select Properties), ensure the linetype is set to dashed.

2. Create or Edit Viewports:

   • In your layout tab, create a viewport that displays your drawn elements.
   • Ensure your viewport is selected, then set the scale (for example, 1/4” = 1’-0”) to ensure alignment with your drawing’s details.
3. Printing Settings:
   • Click on the Output tab and select Plot.
   • In the plot settings, ensure that your paper size matches the intended layout and that the viewport is properly scaled.
   • Check the preview before printing to confirm that the dashed lines appear as expected.

Troubleshooting Printing Issues

• Regenerate the Drawing: Sometimes, changes do not reflect immediately. Use the command REGEN to refresh your drawing and ensure all visual modifications are updated.

• Viewport Shade Plot: If hidden lines aren’t appearing correctly, select the viewport, open the Properties palette, and change the Shade Plot option to "As Displayed".

FAQs

How can I make dashed lines appear thicker in AutoCAD?

Adjusting the linetype scale using the LTSCALE command can influence the visibility of dashed lines. Increasing the lineweight in the properties can also help enhance their appearance.

What should I do if my dashed lines aren’t displaying in a plot?

Ensure that both the LTSCALE and PSLTSCALE settings are set correctly. Additionally, verify your viewport scale and units are consistent with your drawing parameters.

How many different linetypes does AutoCAD support?

AutoCAD includes a variety of linetypes, with standard offerings typically numbering around 11 basic types used across various drawing disciplines. For custom needs, users can create and import additional linetypes as required.