AutoCAD® 2011 & AutoCAD LT® 2011 Bible

Chapter 31. Creating Your Own Linetypes and Hatch Patterns

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Creating linetypes

• Creating hatch patterns

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT come with a large number of linetypes and hatch patterns. However, when these do not serve your particular needs, you can create your own linetypes and hatch patterns. You can then use them in your drawings in the same way that you use the linetypes and hatch patterns that come with the software.

Linetypes are useful whenever you don't want a continuous linetype. They apply not only to lines, but also to polylines, arcs, ellipses, wireframes, and solids — in fact, to most objects. You use hatch patterns to fill in closed (or almost closed) areas. Hatch patterns often represent textures or materials.

Creating Linetypes

There are two types of linetypes: simple and complex. Simple linetypes consist of only dashes and dots. Complex linetypes usually have dashes and/or dots, but also contain text and/or shapes.

The default linetype file is acad.lin for AutoCAD and acadlt.lin for AutoCAD LT. You can add your own linetype definitions to this file or create your own linetype files. Linetype files are text files and must have a .lin file extension. Of course, be sure to make a backup copy of acad.lin or acadlt.lin before you edit it. You commonly use Notepad to edit a linetype file.

Note

Complex linetypes now support the ability to keep the text or shape upright. As a result, when you draw a line segment from right to left or apply a linetype to a curve, the ...