AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

“Linetype” file” and “measurement” value are not listed in the properties pane

I’m wondering why the AutoCAD

1. doesn’t show the “linetype” file (acad.lin/acadiso.lin) from which a particular linetype is taken
2. doesn’t show the “measurement” value (0 or 1) when a particular object is drawn\

Why these properties are not set on the property pane?

Thank you in advance

Best

Jamal

[#2]

Hi,

>> I’m wondering why the AutoCAD

>>     doesn’t show the “linetype” file (acad.lin/acadiso.lin) from which a particular linetype is taken

AutoCAD does not know, from which linetype-file was selected to load a specific linetype, it's not stored in your drawing. In the drawing there is only the linetype-definition stored. And it would not help anything to know that the file "myNewLinetypes.LIN" was used when someone imported a linetype who made hisself a userdefinied linetype-file.

>>     doesn’t show the “measurement” value (0 or 1) when a particular object is drawn\

Try to start the command SYSVDLG (from the Express-Tools) and export all sysvars. For AutoCAD 2012 I get 710 variables exported. Imagine to get all displayed in the property-dialog .... imho that does not make any sense. And as MEASUREMENT or MEASUREINIT is one of these var's that are the less most changed ones they don't belong to the property-dialog.

In normal cases you know the template from where you started your drawing. And if you don't know it, check it once you get the drawing and forget it again.

- alfred -

[#3]

Question with a question.

Do any objects or definitions, (other than external references) inserted into AutoCAD record the source file?

If identifying the source is something you need, there are only 8 ambiguously named linetypes in the default template. It wouldn't take long to append  " - ISO" or "-IMP" to one of the files to avoid any confusion about which definition file it came from.

[#4]

Thank you for the contribution Alfred.

my idea is: if these two properties are listed in the “property pane” then one can switch from one to another!

Then the AutoCAD

Can show the current linetype file (acad.lin/acadiso.lin/customized.lin/…)

Can show the current measurement value (0 or 1)

Does this affect the performance of the AutoCAD if all the linetype files (acad.lin/acadiso.lin/etc) are loaded by default?

Best

Jamal

[#5]

Hi,

>> my idea is: if these two properties are listed in the “property pane” then one can switch from one to another!

Yes, I understood that this would be the option, to see and to change these vars then. But in the reality of AutoCAD-users these two variables are to be changed once a year or so. Why should then less important variables be placed in a major dialog and other - more important variables - are not listed?

If it's a wish you have you can create a dialog using LISP, VBA, dotNET, ARX, ... and place your variables you want to have directly accessable in this dialog. For me, I would get something like displeased if Autodesk places this sysvar in the main-properties of the property-window.

>> Does this affect the performance of the AutoCAD if all the

>> linetype files (acad.lin/acadiso.lin/etc) are loaded by default?

The structure of linetypes are stored within the drawing, they are not loaded during DWG-file-open. The linetype-files are only accessed once a new linetype is imported into the drawing by the user.

It would be worse if you get a DWG that has a linetype "ALFRED" referenced, but you have no correspondig linetype-file.

It would also be extremly problematic if I send you a drawing with a linetype "DASHED" that is customized by myself, fitting to the units and scalings of the drawing ==> and when you open this drawing your AutoCAD replaced the definition to your "DASHED"-linetype ==> then all objects using this linetype may be a problem to get them plotted.

It's hard enough to have the SHX-files not beeing saved within the drawing, I don't want to earn new problems having to also transfer LIN-files when mailing a DWG-file.

- alfred -

[#6]

this is quite informative an useful Alfred. As usual, you are a star.

best

Jamal

[#7]

You are very welcome!

- alfred -