topic Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line? in AutoCAD Forum

Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

MbMinx — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:54:48 GMT

Coming from another CAD package (MicroStation).

In that, there is a tool to "shift" a linestyle, essentially to slide the linestyle pattern along the line so that you can adjust the locations of symbols or gaps.

Is there anything like this in AutoCAD?

Thank you.

Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 17:30:44 GMT

No, unless you create your own linetype. You can change the scale of the linetype but thats probably not what you are looking for.

Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

natasha.l — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 17:57:29 GMT

Hello @MbMinx,

It seems you plan to import 3rd party symbols into a AutoCAD file, it is likely they will come in as blocks.

You can edit these blocks using the block editor "Edit Block In-Place" or "Open Block Editor".

Block Editor Options

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

MbMinx — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:09:54 GMT

No, I wasn't planning to import 3rd party blocks.

I have a linestyle in one of my drawings that has symbols placed at regular intervals. I was hoping that AutoCAD would have the ability to shift that linestyle along the element to reposition those symbols a little further down the line.

Apparently, the answer to this (and other questions) is "No, AutoCAD can't do that."

Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

agibbons — Fri, 29 May 2026 00:50:16 GMT

looking for the same thing, any luck?

Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

chriscowgill7373 — Fri, 29 May 2026 01:41:42 GMT

Unfortunately, it has not changed in the last 6 years. You can write your custom linetype to accommodate a shift, or you can use the MEASURE command and place a block along a line at a specified interval or distance.

A trick I have used in the past for my own custom linetypes is to learn the optimum length interval, and make sure my polyline Is an interval of that length so the linetype looks as I desire it. This is particular for guardrail and pavement marking linetypes.

Re: Any way to adjust symbol location on line?

Kent1Cooper — Fri, 29 May 2026 02:01:37 GMT

You can either Break the Line into two near an end, and slide the common endpoint, or make it a Polyline, add a vertex near an end, and slide that vertex along it with linetype generation disabled.