Controlling Linetype Scale is as Easy as 1,2,3!

Controlling linetype scale can be confusing. How to get the correct linetype scale for our AutoCAD drawings? Why my linetype is not showing, just continuous lines? Sometimes we also have a hard time when setting viewport in layout. We have them correctly in our model, but they are all gone in our viewports! Sometimes we end up to do a trial and error (again) to get it right.

This 3 steps guide maybe can help. It is not that hard at all when you know what control the linetype appearance. It’s as easy as 1,2,3!

Step 1: Use the Right AutoCAD Template

This is important. If you work with metric, use metric template. If you use imperial, then use imperial template. Yes you can change the units later, but you can save a lot of time when you use a right template. Especially if you already define your own template.

Step 2: Check the Annotation Scale

Now you can draw just like usual. If you don’t see the linetype don’t worry. Change the annotation scale. It’s at the right bottom of AutoCAD window.

Change to the value to the size you want to plot it. You may need to REGEN your drawing before see the effect.

The nice thing about annotation scaling is: it has intelligence to show how your objects should look like in different scales. These two viewports below are showing identical object. The left viewport is shown in 1:100 scale, while the right one in 1:50. See that the line type appears exactly at the same size on both viewports!

Very easy, isn’t it? In common situation, we only require to do those two steps. But if you want to control your line type scale further, check step 3.

Step 3: Check System Variable

Many things in AutoCAD are controlled by system variables. The main system variable that controls the linetype scale is LTSCALE. If you started with the right template, 1 in most cases is acceptable. However, you may need to adjust the linetype size. Change the LTSCALE to higher or lower value.

Annotation Scale Dependant

There are two more system variable that control the linetype appearance: MSLTSCALE and PSLTSCALE. This variables are related to annotation scaling. By default, their values are 1. If the step 2 above doesn’t work, these values might have been changed to 0… check these variables.

If you don’t want the line type is affected by annotation scaling, then you can change it to 0.  I strongly suggest you to leave it to 1. Try to get comfortable with annotation scaling first. There are many benefits that you can get by using annotation scaling.

Overriding the objects line type scale

Sometimes we need to override some objects linetype size, and not using the global linetype scale. We can override the value from properties palette, under general category.

I hope controlling your line type is no longer confusing! Have fun!

Don’t forget to check more AutoCAD tips on CAD Notes here.