• AutoCAD

Layer linetypes in AutoCAD

Load up ready-to-use linetypes to ensure your drawings are legible, then customize their appearance.


00:03

A linetype in AutoCAD is a visual property assigned to geometric objects.

00:09

Linetypes can be a pattern of dashes, dots, text, and symbols, or unbroken and continuous.

00:16

The current linetype setting defines the default appearance of all new geometric objects.

00:22

With a drawing open, you can review the current linetype.

00:25

On the ribbon, Home tab, Layers panel, select Layer Properties.

00:30

In the table in the Layer Properties dialog, in the Linetype column, review the assigned linetype.

00:36

The current layer is selected, and the other layers’ linetypes also display.

00:41

In this example, all the linetypes are continuous, meaning the linetype displays objects with a solid, unbroken pattern.

00:50

To modify the linetype of a layer, click within the Linetype column for the layer.

00:55

The Select Linetype dialog displays.

00:57

In this example, several other linetypes are available.

01:01

A preview of each linetype is visible, as well as its description.

01:05

To add more linetypes to your drawing, click Load.

01:09

From the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog, you can choose from the already existing options, or you can load a .LIN file.

01:19

To load your own, click File.

01:21

Then, navigate to the linetype file in your file browser.

01:26

To load one or more linetypes from the already existing options, select which linetypes you wish to add.

01:33

To select multiple linetypes, make the selections while holding CTRL on your keyboard.

01:40

Once you have your selection, click OK.

01:42

Back in the Select Linetype dialog, select one of the linetypes that was just loaded into the drawing.

01:48

The linetype for the layer selected in the Properties palette updates accordingly.

01:53

Linetypes are a great way to easily differentiate between the various objects in your drawings.

Video transcript

00:03

A linetype in AutoCAD is a visual property assigned to geometric objects.

00:09

Linetypes can be a pattern of dashes, dots, text, and symbols, or unbroken and continuous.

00:16

The current linetype setting defines the default appearance of all new geometric objects.

00:22

With a drawing open, you can review the current linetype.

00:25

On the ribbon, Home tab, Layers panel, select Layer Properties.

00:30

In the table in the Layer Properties dialog, in the Linetype column, review the assigned linetype.

00:36

The current layer is selected, and the other layers’ linetypes also display.

00:41

In this example, all the linetypes are continuous, meaning the linetype displays objects with a solid, unbroken pattern.

00:50

To modify the linetype of a layer, click within the Linetype column for the layer.

00:55

The Select Linetype dialog displays.

00:57

In this example, several other linetypes are available.

01:01

A preview of each linetype is visible, as well as its description.

01:05

To add more linetypes to your drawing, click Load.

01:09

From the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog, you can choose from the already existing options, or you can load a .LIN file.

01:19

To load your own, click File.

01:21

Then, navigate to the linetype file in your file browser.

01:26

To load one or more linetypes from the already existing options, select which linetypes you wish to add.

01:33

To select multiple linetypes, make the selections while holding CTRL on your keyboard.

01:40

Once you have your selection, click OK.

01:42

Back in the Select Linetype dialog, select one of the linetypes that was just loaded into the drawing.

01:48

The linetype for the layer selected in the Properties palette updates accordingly.

01:53

Linetypes are a great way to easily differentiate between the various objects in your drawings.

Was this information helpful?