Custom Linetypes

[Anonymous]

i am trying to create custom linetypes (see attachment) for crosswalks (people) and crossrides (bicycles). I'm pretty sure hatching cannot be used to create a linetype? I have tried changing the width of the line to match the specs. but when i create the linetype, the width goes back to default (thin). I don't know if this is even possible?

[Kent1Cooper]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

.... I have tried changing the width of the line.... but when i create the linetype, the width goes back to default (thin). ....

---

Say a little more about what you mean by that [mostly, show us your linetype definition, but also a usage example].  I suspect you don't need a custom linetype.  These are both Polylines of EVENDASH linetype, with different global widths:

If you need a specific non-equal ratio between the widths of the bands and the spaces, that's a very easy custom linetype, but you would still apply it as a Polyline with width.

EDIT:  Those will not take up the meeting of the ends of the crosswalk with a curved curb, except by drawing it to the longest length and masking off where the curb is with a Wipeout.  To do that without  masking could be achieved with a Hatch pattern, but I think only one that makes up the bands with a lot of closely-spaced lines, which you would Plot with a lineweight that would make the result filled in solid:

[Anonymous]

the short-dash linetype with a global width of 0.4 would work for the crossride lines. however, for the crosswalk i could use a dashed linetype but it won't show the line that runs up the sides of the dashes. i will give it a try. i am new to custom linetypes. thanks for your help.

[Kent1Cooper]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

.... for the crosswalk i could use a dashed linetype but it won't show the line that runs up the sides of the dashes. .....

---

I was imagining the edge lines being separate -- a much simpler way than having them incorporated into a linetype.  The only way I can imagine you could include those edge lines in a linetype definition would be with an embedded-Shape variety, like this:

But again, as a Shape, that could only be made of closely-spaced lines, not a true solid-filled area.  And if they ever curve, the edges would be kinked.  Also, if you do crosswalks at different overall widths, but the widths of the pieces are standard, you would need a separate  Shape and linetype definition for every overall width you need!

Maybe you can find a .TTF text font that has a capital-I character with straight sides and squared serifs like that, and the right kind of proportions for your crosswalk width, to use in an embedded-Text variety of linetype, which would at least give you real solid fill.  But a given character would give you only one overall width to suit a standard for cross-band and edge-strip widths.

Or, you could define a Block like that, and use it in either an associative ARRAY or MINSERT.

In all those possibilities, Wipeout-masking would be necessary at the ends to meet curved or angled curbsides.

[Anonymous]

WOW!! thanks for all that but it is all new to me. i am going to contact our support for some help. don't want to spend too long on this. 

[gccdaemon]

I use a dynamic block instead of a linetype. Maybe this will be an easier to clean up fix. Stretch it out and explode it.

[john.uhden]

I would make each wide stripe out of a wide polyline that I could offset and trim at curb returns.  If I recall correctly, wide striped crosswalks don't use longitudinal edge stripes at all.  Also, when they terminate at an angle or curve the stripes are "trimmed" square, not at an angle.  In evolving the design I would leave the striping for last so you can do it just once.  The method I am suggesting does leave you with many separate polylines, so you don't want to get into the situation where you have to erase each of them and redraw them because of geometry changes.  Or, if you can, get the geometry signed off before continuing with any other work.  Grading and drainage are usually affected by geometric changes as well.