topic Custom Line type not to scale in AutoCAD Forum

Custom Line type not to scale

renaldy_wibisonoSHQ64 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:19:28 GMT

Hello!

i am trying to make a custom line type but it keeps making it not to scale.

any fix to this problem? thanks in advance!

above is the object selected to make the line type via :

express --> tools -> make line type

below is the resulting line

Re: Custom Line type not to scale

Michiel.Valcke — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:02:14 GMT

It might have to do with both your units and if a general linetype scale is set in the drawing in which you are using the make line type command.

Does the linetype only contain dashes/spaces/dots (or even text)? Then I find it easier to create the linetype directly in notepad in a .lin file of my own making.
All the necessary information can be found in the Autodesk help files:
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-EF1DF0A9-2088-487C-8085-16FEE6425405

You can save any .txt file with the .lin extension. To create a linetype you need two rows:
The first row contains the name, and description seperated by a comma. The name always starts with an asterisk.

*DASHDOT,Dash dot __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __ . __

The description is what will show in the layers/properties and linetype palettes as a preview.

The second line contains the actual definition:

A,.5,-.25,0,-.25

The A is the alignment field, there's a whole theory behind it but it doesn't really matter, A is the only one supported.
Then separated by comma's you make your dots/spaces/dashes:
0 : a dot
postive number: a dash of that length (the units are determined by the drawing)
negative number: a space of that length

You can only start with a dot or a dash, you cannot start your definition with a space and you can have a maximum of 12 dots/dashes/spaces.

For text insertion in your linetype, read this:
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-FEDCE7EB-4919-43AE-A54E-F3A293DD60CA

Re: Custom Line type not to scale

jreidKVSUZ — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:36:44 GMT

Have you checked your PSLTSCALE & LTSCALE? Your custom line type might be right, but not showing up due to these settings. Many times you have to play with both to get Paper Space & Model Space to look the same. The Center Line shown is CENTER2.

My Viewport scale is: 1" = 1'-0". My PSLTSCALE is 0. My LTSCALE is 5. My LINETYPE SCALE is 1 (select line to see this).

Many times I have to play with all 3 depending on the type of line I am using (center, section, hidden, etc.)

See my images pasted below.

Hope this help!

JRR!

Re: Custom Line type not to scale

Kent1Cooper — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:59:44 GMT

I don't think the issue is the linetype scale. Since the gaps and the short dash are the same size in both, I think the problem is in the linetype-making process not reading the longer dash lengths correctly.

I, too, don't typically use the MKLTYPE Express Tool, but write my own definitions, but that requires some familiarity with the way they're written. However, it should be very easy to adjust your resulting definition, by increasing the value of the larger positive numbers [the longer pen-down, i.e. dash, lengths, assuming from your image that there will be two of equal length]. Can you post it?