Working with linetypes

 

Linetypes are sequences of alternating line segments, dots, and blank spaces that

affect the appearance of a line.

 

Understanding linetypes

CADdirect 2022 provides simple and complex linetypes:

 

• A simple linetype consists of a repeating pattern of dots, dashes, or blank spaces.

• A complex linetype contains embedded shape and text entities along with

  dots, dashes, and spaces.

 

You can use different linetypes to represent specific kinds of information. For example,

if you are drawing a site plan, you can draw roads using a continuous linetype, a fence using a using a linetype of dashes with square posts, or a gas line using a complex

linetype showing the text “GAS”.

 

Setting the current linetype

You normally draw an entity using the linetype assigned to the current layer, indicated as BYLAYER. You can also assign linetypes on a per-entity basis, which overrides the layer’s linetype setting. A third option is to assign the BYBLOCK linetype, whereby you draw new entities using the default linetype until you group them into a block. The entities inherit the current linetype setting when you insert the block into the drawing.

 

Loading additional linetypes

Before you can select a new linetype to use in a drawing, you must either create the linetype definition or load a predefined linetype from a linetype library file (*.lin). CADdirect 2022 includes a linetype library file, icad.lin, which contains more than 100 predefined linetypes.

 

Creating and naming linetypes

In addition to loading predefined linetypes from a linetype library file, you can create new linetypes. You can save new linetypes you create to a linetype library file for use in other drawings.

 

Syntax for a complex linetype definition

Complex linetypes can include shape and text entities as pattern descriptors, as well as the dash and dot descriptors of simple linetypes.

 

The shape descriptor syntax

You can add a shape entity to a complex linetype using the following syntax:

 

[shape_name, shape_filename] or [shape_name, shape_filename, transform]

 

The definitions of the fields in the syntax are as follows.

 

shape_name

 

The name of the shape to add to the linetype. The shape name must exist in the specified shape file (shape_filename).

 

shape_filename

 

The name of a compiled shape definition file (extension *.shx). If no path is defined for the shape file name, the library path is searched for the file.

 

transform

 

The transform argument is optional and can be any series of the following (each preceded by a comma):

 

R=value Relative rotation

A=value Absolute rotation

S=value Scale

X=value X offset

Y=value Y offset

 

In this syntax, value represents a signed decimal number. The rotation is expressed in degrees while the other options are in linetype scaled drawing units.

 

rotation

 

R=value or A=value

R= determines a relative or tangential rotation with respect to the line’s elaboration.

A= determines an absolute rotation of the shape with respect to the origin. All shapes have the same rotation regardless of their relative position to the line.   The value can be appended with a d for degrees (default), r for radians, or g for grads. If rotation is omitted, 0 relative rotation is used.

 

scale

S=value

 

Determines a factor by which the shape's internal scale is multiplied. If the shape's internal scale is 0, the scale value is used as the scale.

 

X offset

X=value

 

Determines a shift of the shape along the X axis of the linetype computed from the end of the linetype definition vertex. If X offset is omitted or is 0, the shape is elaborated with no offset. Include this field if you want a continuous line with shapes. This value is not scaled by the scale factor defined by S.

 

Y offset

Y=value

 

Determines a shift of the shape along the Y axis of the linetype computed from the end of the linetype definition vertex. If Y offset is omitted or 0, the shape is elaborated with no offset. This value is not scaled by the scale factor defined by S.

 

The text descriptor syntax

You can add a text entity to a complex linetype using the following syntax:

 

["string", style_name] or ["string", style_name, transform]

 

The definitions of the fields in the syntax are as follows.

 

string

 

The text to be used in the complex linetype. You cannot use the ` or the " characters in the text string. To use these characters, enter a control code (%%) with the ASCII value for the character instead.

 

style_name

 

The name of the text style to be elaborated. The specified text style must be included. If it is omitted, use the currently defined style.

 

transform

 

The transform argument is optional and can be any series of the following (each preceded by a comma):

 

R=value Relative rotation

A=value Absolute rotation

S=value Scale

X=value X offset

Y=value Y offset

 

In this syntax, value represents a signed decimal number. The rotation is expressed in degrees while the other options are in linetype scaled drawing units.

rotation

 

R=value or A=value

R= determines a relative or tangential rotation with respect to the line’s elaboration.

A= determines an absolute rotation of the text with respect to the origin. All text has the same rotation regardless of its relative position to the line. The value can be appended with a d for degrees (default), r for radians, or g for grads. If rotation is omitted, 0 relative rotation is used.

Rotation is centered between the baseline and the nominal cap heights box.

 

scale

S=value

 

Determines a factor by which the style's height is multiplied. If the style's height is 0, the scale value is used as the scale.

Because the final height of the text is defined by both the scale value and the height assigned to the text style, you will achieve more predictable results by setting the text style height to 0. It is recommended that you create separate text styles for text in complex linetypes to avoid conflicts with other text in your drawing.

 

X offset

X=value

 

Determines a shift of the text along the X axis of the linetype computed from the end of the linetype definition vertex. If X offset is omitted or is 0, the text is elaborated by using the lower left corner of the text as the offset. Include this field if you want a continuous line with text. This value is not scaled by the scale factor that is defined by S.

 

Y offset

Y=value

 

Determines a shift of the text along the Y axis of the linetype computed from the end of the linetype definition vertex. If Y offset is omitted or is 0, the text is elaborated by using the lower left corner of the text as the offset. This value is not scaled by the scale factor that is defined by S.