Expert: Bill DeShawn - 7/26/2006

Question
Yeah, I figured out that enable and disable option, but I need the lines enabled all the time and I can't trust that other people with have the ability to go in and change that.  So do you know of a way I can save that setting on the line properties within the template, so it doesn't have to be enabled everytime?
Thanks again, I'm sure you will be hearing more from me.  I am an access database programmer stuck in autocad:)
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Followup To

Question -
K, I have another question for you about setting up the template.  People who will be digitizing the maps and using the template are not AUTOCAD savy.  I'm not really either, I'm jsut not scared of it:)  So, for the different line types in the template I was wondering if there is any way I can tell the template to keep the linetype scale that I want it to.  Or, is this a setting that has to be changed every time a new map is created in teh template.  Also, is there any way for the linetype generation to keep the enabled setting is the template, so that doesn't have to be switched by each user each time they make a new map in the template or new line with the specific line type?  If that doesn't make sense let me know and I will be happy to try and reword it, thanks again, you guys rock!  Haley

Answer -
LTSCALE is a system variable that can be changed at the user's discretion.  A CAD manager can set some guidelines with respect to linetype scale relative to plotting scale.  DIMSCALE is another one of those changeable variables that also need some rules to go along with it.  I always made DIMSCALE and plotting scale the reciprocal of each other.  That seemed to work quite well for me.

Polyline generation (I think that's what you mean) is a property of the polyline and can be changed as any other property can be changed.  In the case of topo lines, I like them with the LType Gen ON (enabled), or made with PLINEGEN set to 1.  Boundary lines (property lines) are different.  I want the polyline segment to look like it ends where it ends, so LType Gen on those are off.  So, for me it depends on what the polyline is used for.

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


Answer
There are certain things you can't lock.  On the other hand, you can program LTSCALE into your startup with LISP via ACAD.LSP using ACADLSPASDOC set to 1.  I don't recommend this method because there are times you will want to change your linetype.  It's inevitable.  Whether working in Architectural, civil, mechanical or electronics, LTSCALE needs to me changed sometimes.  However, when you CREATE a polyline if PLINEGEN is set to 1, perhaps that's a way you want to start.  If you're working in civil, you can just use regular lines for boundaries and property lines and they can be of any line type.  But their endpoints can come together looking like two objects rather than one.  So, I recommend that PLINEGEN is set to 1 in your template.  But there is no way to lock the setting.  Users can change it.  Some users don't know about the setting, however.  There is the issue of CAD standards.  New versions of AutoCAD include an ability to check drawings against standards. It can open up a whole new can of worms.  Get acquainted with MPEDIT, or if you are working with a newer version of AutoCAD, learn about the MULTIPLE option of the PEDIT command.  Edit multiple polylines at once to quickly change all your polylines to be LTypeGen - on.  No more having to run the command multiple times to edit polylines.  If you want to create a startup or setup in ACAD.LSP, let me know and I can help with that.

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