topic Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers? in AutoCAD Forum

How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:23:53 GMT

My colleague asked me to make a linetype that had a dashed line with a cycle symbol in it.

I drew the cycle and made it into a "shape" with MKSHAPE. Then I used the express tool MKLTYPE to create the linetype.

It works fine on my machine, but when he tries to copy the linetype to a new drawing he can't see the symbol and when he tries to load the .lin file he gets an error message.

I think he needs to save the shape file somewhere in his support folders but where does he need to save it? Or is there a better way to transfer linetypes between machines?

I've attached the drawing with the linetype in but can't attach .shx and .shp and .lin as there's a limit of three files

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Moshe-A — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:51:31 GMT

@Anonymous ,

It works fine on my machine, but when he tries to copy the linetype to a new drawing he can't see the symbol and when he tries to load the .lin file he gets an error message.
I think he needs to save the shape file somewhere in his support folders but where does he need to save it? Or is there a better way to transfer linetypes between machines?
I've attached the drawing with the linetype in but can't attach .shx and .shp and .lin as there's a limit of three files

in order to be able to use this linetype in other drawings you also have to send the .shx file + the .lin file. these files must lay in folder that appears in OPTIONS support files search path. generally it is in support folder.

the colleague is expiriancing error message when trying to load the linetype because autocad does not have the .shx file.

Moshe

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Kent1Cooper — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:26:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

... can't attach .shx and .shp and .lin as there's a limit of three files

[You can put as many files as you want into a .ZIP file, and attach that.]

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:49:27 GMT

I did send both. Perhaps he didn't put them in his support folder but mine are just in a random spot on my C drive at the moment.

shp, shx and lin attached below in a zip if anyone wants to try it

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Pointdump — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 17:17:17 GMT

Marianne,
I tried to load your line but got this:

Dave

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 17:24:16 GMT

Hi Dave, that's the same error my colleague got. I think it's because it can't find the shapefile. Did you save the shapefile somewhere too?

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Moshe-A — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 17:38:25 GMT

@Anonymous ,

@Pointdump + your colleague are absolutely right. you need to remove the full path and keep only the cycle.shx file by doing that, they can lay the files in a folder under support files search path and AutoCAD will find them 😀

(by specifying a full path AutoCAD will look only in that address and i assume your colleague does not have that folder)

Moshe

*CYCLE,cycle dash A,2,-1,2,-1,[CYCLE,C:\Users\gbmamc\Documents\temp drgs\lisps linetypes etc\shp\cycle,s=1],-1,2,-1,2,-1,[CYCLE,C:\Users\gbmamc\Documents\temp drgs\lisps linetypes etc\shp\cycle,s=1],-2

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Pointdump — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 17:38:36 GMT

Marianne,
I just put it in my Download Folder.
When I open your .lin file in Notepad++ I get this:
*CYCLE,cycle dash
A,2,-1,2,-1,[CYCLE,C:\Users\gbmamc\Documents\temp drgs\lisps linetypes etc\shp\cycle,s=1],-1,2,-1,2,-1,[CYCLE,C:\Users\gbmamc\Documents\temp drgs\lisps linetypes etc\shp\cycle,s=1],-2

Dave

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Pointdump — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 19:33:52 GMT

Marianne,
"...because it can't find the shapefile."
Yup.
In OPTIONS >> Working Support File Search Path, add the folder where you want to keep custom linetypes. When I dropped your 3 files into that folder, the error message went away and I could load that linetype.

Not able to put a screen shot in this message, so I'm attaching it as a PNG.

Dave

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 09:02:26 GMT

Thanks. I did figure it out once I looked at the .lin file in notepad, but i'd logged off by then. I'll update the address to one on our shared network.

What's the easiest way to share linetypes with shapes in, in general? Is it just to have a common folder with shape files and add that to the default search paths for every user?

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 09:09:10 GMT

For future users:

To share linetypes that involve a shape file, either save the shape into a common folder that all have access to (and make sure the address in the .lin file points to it), or ask the person receiving it to add the folder where they are saving the shape files to their support folders.

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

jsinobasN8VK5 — Wed, 26 May 2021 15:45:40 GMT

hello all,

i was wondering. is there a way to "convert" these type of lines into a simple line that do not need to be linked to the shape?

thanks in advance

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

Anonymous — Wed, 26 May 2021 15:50:30 GMT

If you have a linetype that you can construct with straight lines (eg a dashed line), text, or one of the default Autocad shapes (eg zigzag), then you wouldn't need to transfer the shapefile as it should be already available.

For instance you could make a flow arrow linetype --->--- with just straight lines and the > symbol

Re: How to transfer complex linetype information between computers?

jsinobasN8VK5 — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:38:09 GMT

My question is more related to a more complex line. For example, I create a line with a wheelchair icon for an accesible path. I would like to share this line with my colleagues but without the trouble of adding the shx ship lin files.

I was surprised that this couldn’t be made with an easier workflow.

Thanks to all.