Custom Linetypes - S-type instead of A-type alignment

[Anonymous]

AutoCAD help documentation says that the first letter of a custom linetype must be "A", specifying the alignment type. Well after trying to troubleshoot a custom linetype (using a shape that I always wanted at the very end of the line) and finding that it just wouldn't work, I found an obscure post somewhere that said try using the "S" alignment type instead. Well I used it and it works flawlessly. So why does AutoCAD help documentation never discuss this? See example below for the two different linetypes. *MGS, CALTRANS MIDWEST GUADRAIL SYSTEM S,.575,[MGS,MGS,s=1],.05 *MGSjunk, CALTRANS MIDWEST GUARDRAIL SYSTEM A,.575,[MGS,MGS,s=1],.05

[Anonymous]

Hello all, sorry about the format, the exampl linetypes were not supposed to run together with the body. On a side note, I am experiencing troubles using most of the forum tools with my Chrome and Explorer browsers, for instance when I press the "Options" pull down on my post, it just takes me to the top of the screen. Same with the "Add attachments" button, nothing happens just goes to top of screen. FOr that reason I cannot edit my post or insert images showing what I am talking about.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous

This thread was just auto-escalated and came to my attention.

I have attached a link to an AKN Article that describes Complex Linetypes for your use.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

John, Thank you for the reply, however the link doesn't seem to be working for me. Most likely a problem on my end, could you please write out the address of the article instead of hyperlinking?

[john.vellek]

Here is the link again....I did fix the one in my previous post.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to...

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

The article does not mention the S type. Here is an image of S type (top) vs A type (bottom). It appears to be an unsupported feature that just happens to work in my favor for this linetype. Consider it solved.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Here is the DXF Reference (See code 46)

Thanks for your contribution

[Anonymous]

Doing some investigation I've convinced myself that the S in question stands for "Stretch".

It will contract the line and space segments proportionally as small as 50% in order to fit a minimum of 2 repetitions of the linetype on a given segment. Shapes appear to remain the same. If two repetitions do not fit, AutoCAD displays a continuous line instead. It will also expand the line and space segments up to about 125% and center the linetype definition in the center of the given line or segment. Each end of the segment (of at least 0.5X the total linetype definition length) will also be the beginning and end of the definition. See the attached image. Note that the total length of the linetype definition is 1, and that there are two repetitions of the linetype from a length of 1 all the way to 2.5.

Note also that there are two different "S" things involved in linetype definitions. Even the Autodesk experts are confused. The other S is the scale of the shape or text. But here we are talking about S instead of A at the beginning of the definition.

[Anonymous]

So what does A really do?

It has a minimum repetition of 1 (line length >= total linetype definition length) or else it displays continuous. It does not start the linetype definition in any predictable place, nor does it appear to center it in the center of the line segment. It maintains the lengths of the lines and spaces in the definition so long as there is space to display them.

It seems to me that AutoCAD needs at least two more line alignment types.

I would like one that does not stretch but starts at the beginning of the line with the beginning of the linetype definition.

I would like another that has the center of the linetype definition at the center of the line segment.

I imagine that the people that originally developed the S alignment have or will soon go off into the sunset.. maybe someone can ask them a few questions first.

AutoCAD is so clunky... why do we love it so? It must be love-hate.

[Anonymous]

I wanted to add that, while in general it seems like S is the better way to go. But because it smooshes the lines and gaps but not the text and shapes, it may be impractical for very short segments. We need more alignment code types for linetype definitions.. it would seem that the intent was there but no one really got around to it.