Expert: Scott Cook - 6/11/2008

Question
Hallo,

I would like to know how I can draw lines which are somewhat different from the ones that appear in the normal line type menus. For example, I want to draw sewage lines which will have the arrow in the middle of the line and will start with a small circle. Something like this
0---->------

Also on a different issue, I would like to creat somthing like this:  O----->  and the O should contain a number in it. This will be used to annotate objects.

Thanks

Answer
If you only want one arrow, it might not be possible with a linetype. If I recall correctly, linetypes repeat (meaning you could end up with more than one arrow). I think you might be able to specify a starting segment that does not repeat. To make a circle with a linetype (and perhaps the arrow too) would require an .shx file, a shape file.
You can read up on linetype definitions in the customization guide. it's  not fun.
I'd recommend a different approach: write a lisp routine or menu macro to do it for you by inserting a couple of blocks for the arrow and the circle. To do that, identify the sequence of commands you would use to create the object. You can automate it to the point where only a couple of picks would be required.
the menu syntax is easy to deal with. semicolons are enters, and backslashes are pauses for input. the other commands are entered as you would at the command line without dialog boxes. for example, -insert blockname mid;\;;\