Expert: Bill DeShawn - 9/27/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi Bill,
I am trying to create a linetype thet looks something like this: x------x------x------x------x
I want to make the space in between the x's about 10 ft. I can't figure out how to do this! I am using autocad LT 2004.
If you could help me with how to enter the pattern when creating it, I would greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!

ANSWER: Kathy.  Sorry you are stuck with LT, because if you had the full version, you would have Express Tools and MKLTYPE, which assists you in making a linetype.  In our help file it says:
To create a simple linetype

At the Command prompt, enter -linetype.
Enter c (Create).
Enter a name for the linetype and press ENTER.
The linetype name can include up to 255 characters. Linetype names can contain letters, digits, and the special characters dollar sign ($), hyphen (-), and underscore (_). Linetype names cannot include blank spaces.

In the Create or Append Linetype File dialog box, select an LIN linetype library file from the File Name box and choose Save.
If you select an existing file, the new linetype name is added to the linetype names in the file.

Enter text that describes the new linetype (optional).
At the Enter Pattern prompt, specify the pattern of the line. Follow these guidelines:
All linetypes must begin with a dash.
Enter zeros for dots.
Enter negative real numbers for spaces. The value defines the length of the space in drawing units.
Enter positive real numbers for dashes. The value defines the length of the dash in drawing units.
Separate each dot, dash, or space value from the next with a comma.
Use a space between a dot and a dash.

The help file says how to use text and shapes in your lineypes.  

I have a silt fence linetype that I modified for 10 ft increments.  Here is is:
*SILT10FT,SILT 10 FT.
A,3.935813,["X",NOTE,y=-.096281,s=.192562],.064187

The SILT10FT is the name of the linetype.  The SILT 10 FT. is the description.  I'm checking into other things related to  linetype, and I may enter a follow-up to this later.

Let me know how it goes
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn



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

QUESTION: Hi Bill,
I tried creating your linetype, but once it was created and I tried to load it, it says it's not found. I saved it in "Support" in Autocad, but when I go thereto load it, it isn't there! Any ideas?
Thanks!!!

ANSWER: Kathy:
Do this:
Type the following at the command line:
(findfile "acad.lin")
AutoCAD will return a path to the ACAD.LIN file where it looks for linetype files.

If you created the file correctly, then it didn't get erased.  Do it again if you can't find it with explorer.

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



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

QUESTION: Hi again Bill,
I am so frustrated over this! I tried your silt fence, and when I try to create it, I get "Invalid number or bad continuation". I copied and pasted yours right in to the command line. I've tried this with others I found on websites, and get the same result every time! Can you think of anything else I can do? Creating the fences manually is very time consuming!
Thanks again, Kathy

Answer
Don't get frustrated.  The reason it failed is because you used it verbatim and I think I forgot to tell you to substitute your text style name for the name NOTE that is in there.  Then, of course you will have to set your LTSCALE (I was using 96).  You will have to vary some numbers to get your spacing correct (not sure which ones).  The .lin file failed on me, too, until I had that all prepared.  

Try again.

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