topic Re: Using layers as line weights in AutoCAD Forum

Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:51:41 GMT

I'm using the student version of AutoCad 2013. I only use it for basic floor plans, elevations, and custom furniture. Line weights are critical to my drawing quality. I've assigned different line weights to different layers; this is the only way I know of to differentiate between line weights. But I can't get the line weights to display at all in Paper Space or when printed.

Re: Using layers as line weights

kcobabe — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:57:15 GMT

A drawing would probably help more than a png of the file. There are a couple things that could be effecting this. One is your plot style.

Re: Using layers as line weights

Patchy — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 20:15:55 GMT

To show in paper space or model space click LWT icon below the drawing area.

(if you see no icon, type in LINEWEIGHT and click in the box display lineweight)

To see lineweight when plot click Plot Object Lineweights.

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 20:31:13 GMT

Post the dwg file here? OK. Don't laugh at my rudimentary use of this software. I'm an interior designer and I know barely enough to produce the drawings I need. Except that now I have no lineweights.

FYI, I have "Scale Lineweights" and "Display Plot Styles" both checked on the Page Setup Manager page.

The "Show/Hide Lineweights" selection has no effect in PS.

Re: Using layers as line weights

Patchy — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 20:52:10 GMT

They displayed fine here.

Your lineweights is around a tenth of a mm (too small to show)

Pick the heavy one, they show fine.

Re: Using layers as line weights

leothebuilder — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 21:53:02 GMT

You mentioned you use a CTB plot style (plotting by color)

I see that you assign line weights to some of your layers and not others (they still set to default)

Also, what lineweights to do assign to the actual colors?

Upload a copy of your "murphy.ctb"

Re: Using layers as line weights

kcobabe — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:06:17 GMT

Looks like you have most of your drawing on Default. Not much lineweight control when you leave them at Default. Change the layers to the desired weight and you should see more like what you are expecting.

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:36:22 GMT

Not sure where to change the "Default" setting. Do you mean in the Properties palette?

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:39:22 GMT

It won't let me upload the .ctb file here becasue it doesn't have a valid extension.

Re: Using layers as line weights

leothebuilder — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:51:01 GMT

In the Layer dialog box you have several columns, one of them is for Line Weight.

In the line weight column you have a few layers assigned with a line weight.

Some are still set to "default"

Set all your layers to whatever line weight you want.

Next you need to open your CTB file and check if all the colors you use have the corresponding line weight (or plot thickness) assigned.

See image below

Also attache is a sample CTB table.

I've changed the file extension to .jpg

Just download and change back to .ctb file extension

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:31:06 GMT

First, thank you so much for trying to help me!!!

Here's what my LAYERS dialog box looks like. There's no column for lineweights that I can see. Did you mean the PROPERTIES dialog box? And when you say "default" do you mean it just says "Use object's lineweight"?

So the lineweights need to match in the ctb plot styles table and the corresponding properties table?

I did have some success with increasing the lineweight denominations on all my layers so they would show up better. They're looking blocky and cartoonish, but at least there's some variety.

Have I mentioned that I HATE this software? 🙂

Re: Using layers as line weights

pendean — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:11:07 GMT

As long as you avoid reading the HELP file or taking classes, it's easy to blame this complex software and 'hate' it LOL

Since you are a student: is the intent to show lineweights on screen because your teacher who used to draft on paper thinks that's the way it's done? Or do you plan on plotting this to show after completion?

I ask because you and very one here are discussing two different and separate features and it's been over a decade since I've seen anyone use screen display Lineweights the way you seem to be inclined to do.

Re: Using layers as line weights

kcobabe — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:57:44 GMT

It could be that or he could be a Microstation user. In either event....

Re: Using layers as line weights

leothebuilder — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:05:06 GMT

If you are using Autocad your layer dialogbox should look like this:

Re: Using layers as line weights

kasperwuyts — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:06:07 GMT

Are you trying to plot directly as a jpg / png ? Because plotting directly to an image format and getting line thickness right is a true PITA. If this is your problem, you are much better off plotting to a pdf and then screencapping.

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:56:50 GMT

I'm using the 2013 Education version of AutoCAD for MAC. The format is totally different than the PC format. My LAYERS dialog box looks nothing like yours.

Re: Using layers as line weights

leothebuilder — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:00:50 GMT

It would be helpful to mention that you're using Mac platform from the outset, that takes to guess work out of it for others that are offering suggestions.

I am not familiar with the Mac platform, but somewhere you must be able to edit your CTB plot style to set your plot lineweights to colors.

That would be step number 1.

Re: Using layers as line weights

Patchy — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:01:16 GMT

Type in:

LAYERDLGMODE

use 0 or 1

Maybe it works

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:01:51 GMT

Screencapping doesn't allow the image to be printed to scale. But yes, I use this method when I'm just sending clients

previews of drawings or details.

I realize the way I use AutoCAD is similar to using an AK47 to swat away a fly. If there were another option, believe me I'd sign up.

Re: Using layers as line weights

murphymoon007 — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:06:51 GMT

OMG. I thought I was posting this querie in the AutoCad for Mac forum!!

So sorry to all who wasted time on my issue from a PC perspective. If I didn't feel like an idiot before, I do now.