How to Plot Line Weights in AutoCAD 2025?

To effectively plot line weights in AutoCAD, it’s crucial to understand the key settings and steps involved. This guide will walk you through the necessary processes to ensure that your drawings reflect the desired line thickness when printed or plotted.

Understanding Line Weights in AutoCAD

Line weights define the visual weight of a line when printed or displayed on the screen. They are important for distinguishing between different types of elements in a drawing. In AutoCAD, line weights can be controlled through settings in both the drawing environment and print layouts.

Step 1: Enable Display of Line Weights

Before you start plotting, make sure that line weights are visible in your drawing. Follow these steps:

1. Open AutoCAD and ensure you are in the model or layout space.
2. Type the command LWDISPLAY in the command line and press Enter.
3. Set the value to On (or type 1). This will ensure that line weights are visible in your viewport.

Alternatively, if you prefer a graphical handle, you can add the Show/Hide Lineweight button to your status bar for easy access.

Step 2: Adjust Line Weight Settings

To modify line weights for specific layers or objects, follow these procedures:

1. Access Layer Properties:
   • Navigate to the Home tab.
   • Locate the Layers panel and click on Layer Properties.
2. Modify Line Weight:
   • In the Layer Properties Manager, find the column labeled Lineweight.
   • Click on the line weight for the layer you want to change.
   • A dialog box will appear, allowing you to select your desired line weight (e.g., 0.25mm, 0.5mm).
   • Confirm your changes by clicking OK.

Step 3: Set Up the Page for Plotting

When ready to plot, ensure your settings are configured correctly to handle line weights:

1. Go to the Output tab, then click on the Plot button.
2. In the Plot dialog box:
   • Choose your desired plotter or printer.
   • Select the appropriate paper size and define the plot area.
   • Under the Plot Scale section, enter the scale ratio, typically 1:1 for actual size printing.
3. Make sure the Plot Style option is set to handle line weights properly. Choose a plot style that specifies line weights if applicable, or set to your preferences.

Step 4: Assign Plot Styles and Adjust Scale Lineweights

To ensure that line weights are applied during printing:

1. Still in the Plot dialog, look for the Plot Style Table setting.
2. Choose a plot style that retains the line weight settings you’ve configured.
3. Additionally, if you are working in a layout, ensure that the Scale Lineweights option is checked. This will adjust line weights according to the plot scale, giving you a better representation in the final output.

Step 5: Preview and Print

Before executing the final plot, it’s advisable to preview the output:

1. Click the Preview button in the Plot dialog box.
2. Review how the line weights appear. This allows you to make adjustments as needed without wasting paper and ink.
3. Once satisfied, click OK to proceed with printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the default line thickness in AutoCAD?
The default line thickness in AutoCAD is determined by the LWDEFAULT system variable, which is initially set to 0.01 inches or 0.25 mm.

2. How can I hide line weights in AutoCAD?
To hide line weights, you can type LWDISPLAY in the command line and set it to Off (or type 0). You can also use the corresponding button in the status bar if available.

3. Can I change line weights for existing objects?
Yes, you can select the object, right-click, and choose Properties. In the Properties palette, you can then adjust the line weight value for the selected object directly.