Expert: Bill DeShawn - 3/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: I need to create a line type that might be best described as a hatched dashed
line. This is a standard linetype in the ISA S5.1 standard for binary electrical
signals. It will look like a dashed line with tracks crossing thru the dashes at
around a 60 degree angle, with a length for the track os .6 times the length
of the dash. Does this sound feasible given the capabilities of autocad. I have
in the past wimped out an simply used an array.

ANSWER: Ben:
Depending on what version of AutoCAD you have, linetype creation may be available with MKLTYPE, if you also installed EXPRESS TOOLS when you installed AutoCAD (or possibly afterwards).  Type MKLTYPE at the command line to see if you have that installed.  In the future, please include the version of AutoCAD you are running.

Let me know what happens.  

Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am using AutoCAD 2004. I didn't install Express Tools (Don't  know if it applies to AutoCAD 2004 anyhow). I have been reading up on the ACAD.LIN file, and looking at the text files for various linetypes. The zigzag line type or the tracks linetype look very close to what I need. If I could just tweak one of those I would be there.

Answer
Well, I don't know every linetype known to man, but I do know you can make your own line type.  Now with AutoCAD 2004, Express Tools is on the installation disk.  You have to explore the disk for it, but you will find an EXPRESS folder and then find a Setup.exe file in there.  That's a little better than with AutoCAD 2006.  In that one you have to know that you need a custom installation in order to get EXPRESS TOOLS.  So, go ahead and install EXPRESS TOOLS, and when the installation is done, you can create a linetype with all the inline dashes, dots, and text that you want with MKLTYPE.  

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