linetypes for metrics

[Proctor]

Hello: Our company has some custom linetypes we use in our imperial templates. Recently, we expanded and created a metric's template. We need to use these custom linetypes in the metric's template as well; however, they aren't quite displaying the same as they do in our imperial templates and so i wanted to know if i need to convert the linetypes to metrics for use in the metrics template?

 

e.g. should i multiple each value by 25.4 to convert inches to millimeters for us in the metric template?

 

;;here's one for inches:

*MyLine ,MyNewLine

A,0,-1.3,["TEST",STANDARD,S=.4689,R=0.0,X=-.625,Y=-.2314],-2.7

 

;;millimeters

*MyLine ,MyNewLine

A,0,-33.02,["TEST",STANDARD,S=11.91006,R=0.0,X=-15.875,Y=-5.87756],-68.58

 

thanks,

Proctor

[BIGAL]

I would have thought easier to use Ltscale and have your linetypes drawn to match standard autocad linetypes then you globally alter them using 1 command change metric to imperial. We use ltscale 0.25 seems ok for metric road plans remember also Psltscale.

[AlinOz]

e.g. should i multiple each value by 25.4 to convert inches to millimeters for us in the metric template?

 

Actually, you're 100% right with what you're doing (multiply it by 25.4) and BIGAL's partially right with the LTSCALE option. The best/ correct way of doing it is to set up the Linetype to the way you want it plotted out (i.e. a line 2mm long then a space 3mm long then a dot, 3mm space and repeat repeat should be: A, 2, -3, 0, -3 in the LIN file)

 

Once you have it all loaded up (and don't forget to reload it if you change the lintype definition in the LIN file), the line segment lengths are multiplied by the LTSCALE variable (i.e. at LTSCALE of 50, the actual segents from before will now be 100 line, 150space, 0 (dot), 150space).

 

The other consideration if you are using Layouts is the PSLTSCALE variable. This controls how the Linetypes behave in the viewports. This can be set to 0 (keep the linetypes looking the same as they are in Modelspace) or 1 (adjust to suit the scale factor of the Viewport).

 

Hope that's got you moving in the right direction. Please don't go multiplying the Scale factor into the linetype (LIN) file as it will cause you dramas down the track when you do drawings at other scales...

[Proctor]

thank you Bigal and AlinOz for your dirrection.

 

when i open the drawing for the metrics, i get the following values:

Ltscale = 2.54

Psltscale = 0

 

when i open out imperical template, i get the following values:

Ltscale = 1

Psltscale= 1

 

the metrics template was created by someone who works for our company - and will be for us to use when drawing our metrics estimates for the customers, so i would like to set it up correctly.

 

Both templates, we will be using the same custom linetypes.

 

it seems like this is what i need to do:

1) append a new set of line types for metrics. i will take our imperial custom line types

and multiply 25.4 to each

2) set their template's Ltscale to 1

3) set their template's psltscale to 1

does this sound correct?

 

part of my confusion also lies in the fact that ...when i look at this one drawing they did in their metric template, when i look under format->units, it says millimeters; however,

when i look at the drawing, the dimension's units displayed as centimeters. (cm).

 

how can i verify if it's millimeters or centimeters?

thanks again,

Proctor

[AlinOz]

it seems like this is what i need to do:

1) append a new set of line types for metrics. i will take our imperial custom line types

and multiply 25.4 to each

2) set their template's Ltscale to 1

3) set their template's psltscale to 1

does this sound correct?

That sounds perfect Proctor...

part of my confusion also lies in the fact that ...when i look at this one drawing they did in their metric template, when i look under format->units, it says millimeters; however,

when i look at the drawing, the dimension's units displayed as centimeters. (cm).

 

how can i verify if it's millimeters or centimeters?

This ones a little more difficult to figure out where you're coming from. This sounds to me like the Drawing Units are as you say in Millimeters but the Dimensions are shown in centimeters. This could be attributed to the dimension scale factor (DIMLFAC variable) set to 2.54 (i.e. Inches to cm conversion factor).

 

Here's my theory: go back to the basics and set your drawing to be mm or cm dependant on the target market (In Australia only dressmakers use cm whereas it is the common unit of measurement in Europe). As you propose, add the metric linetypes to your existing LIN file according to the chosen unit of measurement (i.e mm=inches * 25.4 or cm=inches * 2.54).

 

Next is your LTSCALE - that should be set according to the output Drawing's scale factor (i.e. 1:50 is LTSCALE 50, 1:100 is LTSCALE 100).

 

That's probably clear as mud, but perhaps the template drawing may help me to nail down where the issues are...

 

Oh, and one other thing - if you use the PSLTSCALE set at 1, you should set your LTSCALE to 1. OK, this makes dotted lines with very short segments in Modelspace (and can take some time to regenerate in larger drawings), but they will show correctly in differently scaled viewports. Whichever way you go there, it's a compromize...

[Proctor]

AlinOz: I'm getting very close now.

I heard back from the management over at our plant in the netherlands. they use centimeters for the majority of their drawings.

 

I opened the one drawing they sent me and then i did the following:

1) Set Drawing Units to Centimeters (instead of Millimeters).

2) Set LTscale to 1

3) Set Celtscale to 1

4) Set Psltscale to 1

5) Copied a new set of linetypes for them w/ rescaled linetypes to centimeters e.g. multiplied values by 2.54.

 

after, i redrew the spline they had in their drawing....to the exact distance they have and the number of LEDs now shows correctly for the new spline (9 leds); however, even though i then changed the layer for the other splines that were already in the drawing to the new linetype, they still are showing 10 leds. their length is exactly the same......(i used the list command to see determine the length)

 

why do you think the existing splines won't show the correct led number? In addition, when i look at the layout for the drawing now, it doesn't display anything but a few dots.

 

thanks again for all the time you given to help.

Proctor

[Proctor]

AlinOz: i just noticed that the existing splines had .95 for the linetype scale. i guess even though you use the command ltscale, it just set it for the new stuff. i changed them all to 1 and now they look great.

 

my only issue now is that they don't show up in the viewport of the layout. any ideas for this?

 

thanks again,

proctor

[Proctor]

AlinOz: i decided to try something.....i opened a fresh copy of the existing metrics drawing (the untouched version) ; after, i selected all the linetypes.

rightclick - > properties. Ltscale was set to 1. I set it to 2 and then immediately set it back to 1. The linetypes now have the correct led count.

 

as a final step, i went into the linetype manager and set the current object scale to 1. now, when i do new objects, it has the right count also.

 

i'm not sure i understand why this works...but i wanted to tell you about it.

proctor

[AlinOz]

The Splines with the .95 Linetype Scale - this could have been applied using the CELTSCALE or altered manually through the Properties. Let's define the variables used here:

LTSCALE - This is a Global Linetype Scale. In other words, it will multply every Object in the drawing by whatever factor it is set to.

CELTSCALE - This is the Current Entity Linetype Scale. With this set, all objects that you draw after that will have the segments/ Spaces multiplied by that factor (until you were to change it again).

 

So, what happens with any object is that it takes the definition of the Linetype in the LIN file and multiplies the segments by the LTSCALE setting. You can then apply an individual scale to the Object (i.e. the 0.95 in this case or by presetting the CELTSCALE variable as you pointed out). So in other words, the equation is - Final Segment length = LIN Definition * LTSCALE * CELTSCALE. So, keep it simple by setting the CELTSCALE to 1 and adjust the Segment/ Spacing with LTSCALE according to the Scale of your drawing. Of course this applies to the situation where you are scaling the drawings which doesn't appear to be the case in your situation.

 

Hope that clarifies it all for you

[Proctor]

that truly does clarify it all!!! I really feel like I've learned a lot from this. thank you for explaining it all so well and also for all your help!

 

Proctor

[AlinOz]

My pleasure Proctor - one day you may return the favor - that's what CADTutor's all about

[Proctor]

it would be my pleasure.