Tool Palettes don't create complex custom linetypes properly

[toddnoch]

I was hoping to post this in an "AutoCAD Ideas" forum but that doesn't seem to exist.

I've created a few Tool Palettes buttons to draw lines. The layer they're on uses a custom linetype that includes a SHX. When I use those buttons in drawings where the layer doesn't exist, it creates everything fine except it isn't creating the linetype definition properly and I get undesirable results. If I import the linetype definition first it'll use it and display fine. Please fix the Tool Palette button creation process to create all aspects of my properties properly.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

can you please upload the lin-file, the shx-file and a screenshot from your definition within the tool palette so we can try to recreate that on our systems?

And please let us know which AutoCAD release and service pack you are referring to.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

You probably need to have the shape already in the drawing you are trying to draw in.

I've run into this with multileaders that have a custom pointer.

Earl

[toddnoch]

I agree with Earl that is the current behavior, however, that's why I don't think it's working properly or as designed. I've attached a few items of backup. Rename the "haybale.txt" to "haybale.lin". I couldn't upload an LIN extension for some reason.

[toddnoch]

I was limited to 3 attachments in the previous post and also wanted to include a screenshot of the Tool Palettes XML definition. In the attached image you can see it stores the linetype definition including the SHX name, which is in my support file path. 

[pendean]

TPs work no differently than LAYER command in your instance, there is no magic behind them. How would you create that layer and it's settings in LAYER command using only the primary LAYER command pop-up? Does it too not work too without having to enter more windows etc.?

This is why there probably is not an Ideas forum for AutoCAD: most "ideas" are just user-needs that need to be fleshed out better 🙂

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

thank you for your data!

I have now copied the SHX into a folder listed in the AutoCAD's support folders.

Then I

• created a new drawing,
• loaded this linetype,
• created a layer with your linetype
• created one line and one polyline, assigned these objects to the layer from prev. step.
• created a new palette, drag and drop these 2 objects to the palette
• closed the drawing
• closed AutoCAD
• started AutoCAD with a new drawing (that has this linetype not defined)
• drag & drop the line into the drawing ==> I can see the linetype
• drag & drop the polyline into the drawing ==> linetype works well

So with AutoCAD 2018 Update 1.1 I can't see any issues, only one time it was necessary to run command _REGEN.

The only idea I have is that you don't have the SHX file within a support folder.

- alfred -

[toddnoch]

Alfred,

Thank you so much for your attention to this topic, your time, and speedy responses. I'm currently on the 2017 version (with updates). It sounds very promising that this issue is working in 2018. I'll certainly test it out as soon as I upgrade.

Regards,

-Todd