Line with numerous nodes shows continuous

[ahickmang]

I assume this isn't something I can solve, but it seems as though lines with several nodes won't show anything other than continuous, assuming that the distance between each node isn't enough to show elements of that linetype. For example, if I draw a straight like that is 500' with a CENTER linetype, it will show that linetype. If I draw that same line, but instead, it is 5 100' lines that have been JOINed together, it will appear to be continuous, even though it's not (posted example below). Is there anyway around this, or is this something we have to deal with? If so, seems like a fairly large oversight, but what do I know 😅

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

Enable linetype generation for the Polyline.  You can select an existing one and set that in the Properties palette.  For all new ones to have linetype generation on, set the PLINEGEN System Variable [read about it in Help] to 1.

[ahickmang]

Well that's a game changer, thanks a bunch for that. Follow up question, is this possible for 3D polylines? I didn't realize the line in question was a 3D polyline until I changed everything and noticed it still hadn't changed. I've tried LINETYPE3DPLINEON and it kind of works, but not very well.

[cadffm]

EDIT: Oh man, I was slow 😮

Hi,

check the last property in your properties palette, while you select this polyline..

And check out this setting for new plines: PLINEGEN<enter>[F1]

[Kent1Cooper]

Unfortunately, 3D Polylines do not "honor" non-continuous linetypes.  You can assign one, and it will list that in Properties, but it won't show that way.  Probably what you would need to do would be to Explode it into Lines, which will retain the 3D-ness, and will show the linetype.  Or, draw a single-straight-segment Spline over one segment of the 3DPolyline, Break or Trim that segment out of the 3DP, and JOIN the rest of it to the Spline.  The result will be a Spline, and its geometry will be the same and it will show the non-continuous linetype and be one object [unlike the Explode-to-Lines approach].  One drawback is that you won't be able to Osnap to all the places on it that you might want to on the 3DP [e.g. not to the vertices as INTersectoins or ENDpoints, nor to the MIDpoints of what were the 3DP segments].

[ahickmang]

Makes sense to me. I'll try exploding. Either way, it's not to big of a deal, just something I wanted to fix if so. Thanks for the detailed response!