You’ll use this lines endpoint to define the overall length of the linetype definition. Notice the vertical line 0.1 units away from the end of the horizontal line that’s 0.2 units long. The overall linetype definition will be 0.3 units long 0.2 unit dash + 0.1 unit gap (spacing). Assuming LTSCALE, MSLTSCALE, and PSLTSCALE are each set to 1 a linetype dash of 0.2 units will draw to a length of 10’ inside your drawing. Similar to how you might calculate text heights 10’ (dash length) / 50’ (drawing scale) = 0.2, and 5’ (gap length) / 50’ (drawing scale) = 0.1. Using the scale of 1” = 50’ you want the stripe to be 10’ long, and the gap between the dashes to be 5’. Let’s say you want to create a custom linetype to represent the stripes that will be painted on a road you’re designing.

If you know how to draw and trim lines in AutoCAD you can also create custom linetypes. For those who prefer a more graphical approach, check out the Make Linetype (MKLTYPE) tool found on the Express Tools Ribbon tab > expanded Tools panel. It’s completely possible to create linetypes using nothing more than your bare hands and Notepad (the digital variety that comes with MS Windows). In their most basic form, an AutoCAD linetype is really nothing more than a. Most of the time one of the 40+ linetypes that come with AutoCAD will suffice, but what do you do when you need a custom linetype? While its true linetypes must be developed, the good news is that it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Linetypes play an integral role in visually separating certain elements of our designs.

Free autocad linetypes downloads