Make a complex linetype in AutoCAD 2017

[john.vellek]

AutoCAD comes with some complex linetypes but perhaps you want to create your own!

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Linetype definitions are based on one (1) drawing unit. Complex linetypes can be created with fonts

Complex Linetypes that are included with AutoCAD 2017 are:

• Fenceline1 ----0-----0----
• Fenceline2 ----[]-----
• Tracks -|-|-|-
• Batting SSSSS
• Hot_Water_Supply ---- HW ----
• Gas_Line ----GAS----
• ZigZag /\/\/\/\/\/\

I have prepared a Screencast that shows the steps to create your custom complex linetype. Here are my steps:

1. Start a drawing session in AutoCAD 2017. -I have my units sets to decimal
2. Create a new textstyle and assign a font with special characters to it – I use WingDings in my example
3. Start the Mtext editor, rt-click and select Symbols>Other to open the Character Map of the Wingding font. - You can also open the Character Map from the Windows Start button and type Character into the search field)
4. Select the character you want in your linetype and past it into the editor window.
5. Explode the Mtext to turn it into regular text.
6. Change the justification of the character as desired.
7. Draw a line one unit in length and position your character relative to this line – I chose to center mine.
8. From the Express Tools, select the Make Linetype tool
9. Follow the prompts to select/create a .LIN file to store your linetype – I like to keep my custom linetypes separate from the AutoCAD ones by creating my own custom folders.
10. Give your new linetype a name and definition (what you see in the linetype dialog).
11. Select the start point and end point - this is the one unit long part that will get repeated in the linetype
12. Finally, select the character and line that will make up the linetype.