Expert: Bill DeShawn - 12/3/2008

Question
Hello,

So, when I use a linetype that has dashes, such as ISO08W100 or ISO03W100, it appears different depending on whether I am using the Line Tool versus the Spline, Arc, or Circle Tool. Basically, when I am drawing a straight line, the dashes look like they are supposed to. When I am drawing a curved line, the dashes seem to, for a lack of a better way of saying it, get all scrunched up. If curve I am drawing has a tight radius, then the dashes get so scrunched together that they register as a solid line. It the curve is more gradual, then the dashes become more spread out (less scrunched). I use the Spline Tool to delineate electrical wiring, and it never looks like I intend it too. Any advice???

Thanks!!!!

Answer
Hi, Shaun.
The linetypes you mention have long segments compared to the HIDDEN linteype (and many other common linetypes).  They probably are not compatible in the same drawing if you attempt to use them together.  If you set LTSCALE and then draw short line segments or small circles or arcs, or even long polylines, the appearance of your linetypes can get easily messed up.  You can change the scale of the linetypes of the individual lines with the PROPERTIES palette or dialog.  Also, if when you make a spline with the SPLINE command, the linetype should work correctly.  If you draw the path with a LWPOLYLINE or POLYLINE and convert it to a SPLINE shape with PEDIT, then the polyline will require LINETYPE GENERATION of the polyline to be ON.  After you create a polyline you can turn that on with the PROPERTIES palette or dialog.  You can also turn on LINETYPE GENERATION before creating the polyline with the PLINEGEN system variable.

If this isn't answering your question, please send me a drawing and let me know what version of AutoCAD you are running.  Go to my website shown below and find my email icon to do that.

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn