How to Make Dashed Lines in AutoCAD 2018?

Understanding Dashed Lines in AutoCAD

Creating dashed lines in AutoCAD can be essential for differentiating various elements in your design. They are often used to indicate hidden features or to create guides in technical drawings. To achieve the desired appearance of dashed lines, follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Check the Current Linetype Scale

The first step involves verifying the Linetype Scale (LTSCALE) setting. This variable controls how linetypes appear in your drawing.

• Open AutoCAD.
• At the command line, type LTSCALE and press Enter.
• Ensure that the value is set according to your design requirements (often a value of 1 is a good starting point).
• If the dashed lines still do not appear correctly, adjusting the LTSCALE may help.

Step 2: Adjust PSLTSCALE for Paper Space

When working in Paper Space, the Paper Space Linetype Scale (PSLTSCALE) also influences how lines are displayed.

• At the command line, type PSLTSCALE and hit Enter.
• Set the PSLTSCALE to 1. This will ensure that the linetypes are displayed consistently between Paper Space and Model Space.

Step 3: Load the Desired Linetype

You need to choose and load the specific linetype you want to apply.

• Type LINETYPE into the command prompt and press Enter to open the Linetype Manager.
• Click on the Load button.
• From the list, select the dashed line style you prefer (like “Dashed” or “Hidden”).
• Click OK to close the dialog and apply the changes.

Step 4: Assign the Linetype to Your Objects

To apply the newly loaded linetype to specific lines or shapes:

• Select the object(s) for which you want to change the linetype.
• Right-click and choose Properties from the context menu.
• In the Properties palette, find the Linetype section.
• Click the drop-down arrow and select the dashed linetype you previously loaded.
• Press Esc to finalize your selection.

Step 5: Zoom In to Confirm Visualization

After applying the linetype, zoom in closely to verify that the dashed line appears as intended.

• Use the Zoom tool to focus on the line or area where the dashed line should be visible.
• If it still doesn’t appear correctly, revisit the LTSCALE and PSLTSCALE settings to make further adjustments.

Additional Considerations

• Ensure that your drawing units (Imperial or Metric) are set correctly, as this can affect the appearance of linetypes.
• Remember to save your template file once you’ve set everything up to avoid reconfiguring in future projects.

FAQs

1. What should I do if my dashed lines still don’t appear?
Check both the LTSCALE and PSLTSCALE settings. Adjusting these values can significantly improve the visibility of dashed lines.

2. How can I create a custom linetype?
You can define custom linetypes using the Linetype Editor by specifying your desired dash lengths and spacing in a text file.

3. Is it possible to use dashed lines in annotation objects?
Yes, you can apply dashed linetypes to various types of annotation objects, but ensure that their scale settings are consistent with your overall drawing setup.