Custom Linetype - text scaling, length of lines, AutoCAD adds line segment.

[jrothman412]

I created a custom LT. add text height .09 using this style with a text height at 0. At 1"=1' looks great. change the scale to 1"=40' and I see no text. My MSLTSCALE, PTLTSCALE, LTSCALE is at 1. I am viewing my LT's in MS.

[cneelyUFTR2]

Please post your linetype definition. 

[jrothman412]

*TEST,test
A,15,-1.173878,["TEST",SAL_LT_PROP,y=-1.164271,s=2.131976,u=0],-7.906001

[jrothman412]

I used this text style

[MMcCall402]

Your line in model space is probably too short to show the linetype, based on the sizes in the definition.

[jrothman412]

I will try to enlarge it. What is your dwg scale set at when creating your LTs? Also do you recommend a length for the line segment and text size. 

[rl_jackson · Accepted solution]

Your text height is huge at 2.13.... That's 2.13 x 40. The value of S should equal the plotted height of the text on paper like shown below.... 

*SEWER_LINE_1,Sewer line ----SS----SS----SS----SS----SS----SS--
A,1,-.08,["SS",STANDARD,S=.06,R=0.0,X=-0.05,Y=-.03],-.08

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

Think of the sizes specified in the linetype definitions as being in final plotted inches (or mm)  The linetype will adjust based on scale to be the same size on the sheet.  The object will get bigger and smaller based on scale.

The sizes in your current linetype would take about 18" to start replicating.  At 1"=40' what would take a line over 720'

[jrothman412]

The above info has helped greatly. I created a LT and it seems to be almost looking as it should. The only issue I see right now, its adding a cont line on both sides of my object when I assigned it the LT I made.

*1,1
A,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,["8'' W",SAL_LT_EXIST,x=.04544,y=-.05,s=.1,u=0],-.508118

looks like this when I create it:

Once created it looks like this at a 40 scale:

[rl_jackson]

OK so in the file you created it in, it looks like the font had an italicized setting applied to it that is not in the 2nd file.

My suggestion is that you do not want to create custom font names for linetypes as this will make it difficult to recreate should others open your file. As a rule for years I've used True Type Fonts, and have Standard set as Arial by default, or if I use a specific font, I'll create the style to be the same name as the font. In your case create a font called romans and that's what goes in the linetype. Also, if you interested in getting the inch symbol in the linetype try this.

*8_SEWER_2,8" Sewer line ----8" SS----8" SS----8" SS----8" SS----8" SS----8" SS--
A,.5,-.13,["8%%34 SS",STANDARD,S=.06,R=0.0,X=-0.1,Y=-.03],-.13

[jrothman412]

I set the style to standard with a TTF Arial. TY for the advice, I used two foot marks for the inch symbol. I am still getting the cont. line at the begging instead of a short dash, as in the pic above. I'm using the Make LT method. I don't understand the notepad method.

Also im getting an error message if I increase the dashes before the text. *Invalid* Too many segments in linetype definition. Is there a limit to the amount of lines or shapes that can be added?

*11,11
A,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,-.1,.1,["8'' W",Standard,x=.06838,y=-.054575,s=.125,u=0],-.508118

[jrothman412]

It is actually adding an extra line segment based on the length of the line I assign the linetype to. If I stretch it to different lengths then it will show as intended. I feel this should not add a segment at the beginning and at the end.

Shouldn't the line look like this at the starting point no matter the length. (This was used to create the linetype which includes a gap for it to repeat)

*2,2
A,.1,-.113784,.1,-.103076,.1,-.064012,["( 8'' W )",Standard,y=-.045,s=.09,u=0],-.485776,.1,-.103076,.1

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

I think its Autocad's attempt to fill the line from end to end when the spacing of the linetype doesn't fit the length of the line exactly.  It 'pads' the ends with a solid line.

[jrothman412]

Thank you Sir

[rl_jackson · Accepted solution]

See Attached, there's also a class of the same name on Autodesk University.

[jrothman412]

Conclusion: Thank you all that helped provide info to trouble shoot this including PM's

Its turned into a catch 22. The length of the created LT is key. It seems when the LT is assigned to a object line. It divides it and starts to fill the object line with your LT. starting in the middle. When it gets to the ends if the created length of the LT does not fit then CONT. line segments are added to one side or both sides. I've tried shorter and longer created LT's.

Once assigned to an object here's the catch 22. I create a small overall length LT with text and once assigned to an object the text shows to many times, however the dashes look good and the AutoCAD added segments are not a big deal.

Create and increase the dash length & overall length of the custom LT to spread out the text to avoid it repeating to much. When I assign that LT to an object. AutoCAD's added CONT. segments are to long, but the text is spaced nicely.

So if my overall created LT is .1 and if your scale is at 40. Any object under 40' will show a CONT line since your created LT will not fit. When AutoCAD calcs the ending line segments once you assign a custom LT it will add CONT lines under 40' based on the .1 overall length of the created LT.

Hope that all made since, it was a journey of learning! 

[Pointdump · Accepted solution]

JR,
You are asking about custom line types, so I didn't offer it before, but you might try DIVIDE and MEASURE commands which will place a block at intervals along a line.
Dave

[jrothman412]

That would be the overall solution for visibility. I'm trying to animate as much as possible. I'm currently setting up my template from the ground up and this was forsure a huddle lol. 

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

Another option would be to use dashed linetype, place a text object with the wording you want, then use an Arraypath to array that text along the line.

[jrothman412]

These are all great work arounds!