Can i taper a linetype?

[Coey]

Hi, im using AutoCAD 2007 LT, and i need to know if anybody knows of a way to taper a batting linetype to depict cut-to-falls insulation?

Cheers Guys

[Hedgehog]

Not to my knowledge... it's a complex linetype (unlike hidden or dashed) & doesn't change with polyline width the way other linetypes would.

[LElkins]

As hedgehog has said, I am not aware of any tidy way to do this.
You could use ACAD bodge-job tools such as WIPEOUT to provide the display you require.

Cheers

[Alan Cullen]

It's very easy actually. Just set up linetypes and have associated linetype symbols defined in the linetype .shx file. If you want me to show you, just ask.

[Coey]

It's very easy actually. Just set up linetypes and have associated linetype symbols defined in the linetype .shx file. If you want me to show you, just ask.

Hi Alan, thanks very much for your reply. if you could point me in the right direction of how to do this it would be very much appreciated!

Cheers

[Alan Cullen]

First up, is this the sort of thing you are after?

4450

[Coey]

First up, is this the sort of thing you are after?

4450

No, sorry... what i need to do is in section, using the batting linetype to show insulation cut-to-falls starting from 75mm up to 150mm

[Alan Cullen]

Post an example.

[LElkins]

I assume you want something along the lines of this?

[Coey]

Post an example.

Ok, i have attached a pdf for you... hopefully this will make it all clear!

Cheers

[Coey]

I assume you want something along the lines of this?

Hi LElkins, if you look at the pdf on my last post it will show you what i need to do. I have already shown basically what you have, but i actually want to try to taper the linetype so it will fit the space without using 'bits' of lines.

Cheers

[Strix]

... and you're using an LT version so you can't use Lisps?

[Coey]

... and you're using an LT version so you can't use Lisps?

Unfortunately, yes i am using LT!! Its all good and well until you want to do something useful...

[Alan Cullen]

If you have a few standard width sizes for the walls, it can be done with linetypes for those wall widths.

[Hedgehog]

Like this?

[Coey]

Like this?

Hey thats looking like it! I would like to get it so that the batting 'loops' are in a consistant width rather than being squashed up at the low end, but if thats not possible then this will do totally fine...

[Hedgehog]

The way I did it is completely impractical for your use (I think a few people here might be able to suss it :D ) sorry... just making sure that's the way you wanted it to look... I still reckon you're gonna struggle with this problem.

[Tiger]

I'm thinking 3D and a perspective view?

I think the solution to your thing Coey is to make it by hand...pull on the headphones, dig in and get it looking good with arcs and lines....

[Strix]

... then save it somewhere as a block for next time, and use the scale functions when you insert, explode and hack off the bit you don't need

[Coey]

Yeah i think you might be right there guys! i have been trawling endlessly through the internet for solutions to this but its been absolutely no use.

I would have thought AutoDesk would have this one sorted tho, cut to falls is quite a common way of detailing insulation after all!

Maybe its just my AutoCAD skinny version LT being the problem.

Thanks anyway.

[Tiger]

I think it comes down to AutoCAD-geeks (as we all are, right? :geek:) being so pedantic! Trust me Coey - noone will notice if that piece of insulation is slightly off...it's too bad, but it's like that..

My moment of revelation came when I was out on site and I saw my drawings, that I had spent hours and hours getting right - being first shrunk from A1 to A3 (half for you imperical dudes) and then measured on with a yard stick..:(

[Strix]

how about blocking one 'curl', arraying it, then slapping successive scales on it, then blocking the result?

[eldon]

This was done slowly and manually, by extracting the "Bat" shape, and using Rotate 3D about the x-axis - not very practical, but I've got a quiet day :D

[Coey]

This was done slowly and manually, by extracting the "Bat" shape, and using Rotate 3D about the x-axis - not very practical, but I've got a quiet day :D

Thats exactly what i have been trying to do but i dont think the functions you suggest exist on Acad LT.

I think i'll just go with what Tiger suggests, and just realise that no-one is really going to notice/care whether or not the linetype fills the space, im just trying to be too much of a perfectionist!

Thanks a lot guys, its been helpful!

[LElkins]

OK. This isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is an option for you.

The attached drawing contains a dynamic block, which in turn contains 5 lines. It scales down to half of the start.
There are 6 pick points, so you can stretch each portion of the insulation as you need it.

Like i said, not perfect, but maybe you can play with it a bit.

Cheers

[Coey]

OK. This isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it is an option for you.

The attached drawing contains a dynamic block, which in turn contains 5 lines. It scales down to half of the start.
There are 6 pick points, so you can stretch each portion of the insulation as you need it.

Like i said, not perfect, but maybe you can play with it a bit.

Cheers

Yeah, this gives me the same result as chopping the lines and giving each segment a different linetype scale, thats the way i've decided to deal with the issue.

It seems AutoCAD LT isnt intelligent enough to do what i want. Thanks for your help.

[LElkins]

Have just added a 'wish' to the AUGI wish list.

The ability to set a start and end linetype scale, similar to the ability to set a start and end width with a pline.

Cheers