Trying to create custom line type

[Proctor]

Hello: I need to create a line type that looks like this:

 

_____|_____|_____|_____

 

I tried something like this to no avail:

;; MyCustom Linetype

*My Custom Linetype,LINE LENGTH 1.70 WITH SPACE .05 havign a vertical line in space __ | __

 

A,1.70,.05,["|",STANDARD,S=.05,R=0,X=.05,Y=1]

 

Thank you for your help,

Proctor

[ReMark]

Is there supposed to be a gap on either side of the vertical line?

 

Are you using a "pipe" as it is called on a keyboard to represent the vertical line?

[ReMark]

Well it isn't quite right but it's close. I used the "pipe" symbol off the keyboard. I think by doing so I'll have to tweak one of the settings in the linetype definition in order to center the pipe in the gap. Trial and error. Mostly error!

 

Did you know that gaps require a negative value?

 

BTW...I do not have a lot of experience creating custom linetypes so please forgive my crude attempt here. Thanks.

[Proctor]

Hi ReMark - thank you for replying. Yes, I was using the Pipe keystroke for those vertical lines. I added a negative in front of my .05 value to represent a space as you suggested.

 

Here's a pic of what i'm now getting.

 

The vertical lines are far up and not sure why?

 

thanks again for your help...it's getting closer now.

proctor

[ReMark]

Maybe you should change the value for Y to something less than 1?

[ReMark]

I like this one better. I am almost there but ever so slightly off with the centering of the pipe in the gap. But I wonder if anyone would even notice if I hadn't mentioned it?

[Proctor]

Hi Remark: I found out that the user doesn't need to have a space between the lines. They only need a line every 1.7 with a pipe in between. I am struggling with getting this correct.

here's my code:

 

;; Linetype

*MYLINETYPE,LINE LENGTH 1.70 WITH VERTICAL LINE DIVIDER __|__

A,1.7,["|",STANDARD,S=.25,R=0,X=0,Y=0],1.7

 

The problem with it (see attached), is that the line lengths are 1.9 for some reason as appose to 1.7. In addition, the vertical pipes are starting a tad to low.

 

Thanks again for your help,

Proctor

[ReMark]

I gave you a hint the last time regarding the pipes. You have to tweak the value of "Y". It isn't easy but trial and error will get you there eventually.

 

I have no clue as to why the line lengths would be 1.9 and not 1.7 either way both those distances seem kind of long to me. What's the reasoning? Are these lines going to have a lot of bends or curves in them?

[ReMark]

My last attempt. See that yellow line above the custom line with the pipes? It happens to be 1.7 units long.

[neophoible]

;; Linetype

*MYLINETYPE,LINE LENGTH 1.70 WITH VERTICAL LINE DIVIDER __|__

A,1.7,["|",STANDARD,S=.25,R=0,X=0,Y=0],1.7

I just tried your linetype definition and it came out perfectly in 2012, drawing in 2D. The pipe's btm endpoint is right on the line, and the 1.7 measures exactly, after I account for drawing scale (I also made sure the linetype scale is set to 1).

 

Yeah, it looks like ReMark's picture. Well, except for the bold looking pipes. Is there a font associated with linetypes?

Edited July 10, 2013 by neophoible
Comparison with ReMark's image.

[Proctor]

neophoible - thank you for your response and also for testing it on your machine.

I'm working in autocad mechanical 2014.

 

Not sure if that's what's making it come out different; however, I was wonder - first when you say that you set the scale to one, you do it by setting the "S =1" in the shape section of the line type like I have below? Does that look correct? When I do that, my distance of my line then becomes 2.0 as oppose to 1.7.

 

Also, when you ask if there's a font asscicated with the linetype - how can I determine this? I have a feeling it could have to do with this setting......

 

;; Linetype

*Linetype,LINE LENGTH 1.70 WITH VERTICAL LINE DIVIDER __|__

A,1.7,["|",STANDARD,S=1,R=0,X=0,Y=0],1.7

 

Thanks again,

Proctor

[neophoible]

neophoible - thank you for your response and also for testing it on your machine.

I'm working in autocad mechanical 2014.

 

Not sure if that's what's making it come out different; however, I was wonder - first when you say that you set the scale to one, you do it by setting the "S =1" in the shape section of the line type like I have below? Does that look correct? When I do that, my distance of my line then becomes 2.0 as oppose to 1.7.

 

Also, when you ask if there's a font asscicated with the linetype - how can I determine this? I have a feeling it could have to do with this setting......

 

;; Linetype

*Linetype,LINE LENGTH 1.70 WITH VERTICAL LINE DIVIDER __|__

A,1.7,["|",STANDARD,S=1,R=0,X=0,Y=0],1.7

 

Thanks again,

Proctor

You're welcome, for whatever it's worth. All I can really do is verify that what you have defined does do what you would expect, at least in my case. I can't really explain why it wouldn't work in your case. BTW, your profile says you are using AutoCAD 2006. Might want to update that. I use plain AutoCAD, so I can't really comment on the vertical products. As for the Linetype Scale, I was referring to the General Property of the line I drew. I first drew the line, then changed its Linetype. Since the drawing I was in had a DIMSCALE of 8, I actually set the Linetype Scale to .125 to make it effectively a scale of 1. Annotation Scale under Misc Properties is 1:1. I don't really know what else might affect it. My question about font was in regard to the boldness of the pipes in ReMark's pic. I don't really know what font is used for such a Linetype, or how one might be applied. I was hoping someone else might comment knowledgeably on that. Sorry I can't be of more help at this point. Edited July 10, 2013 by neophoible
added bold

[ReMark]

The font is called out in the definition as STANDARD.

 

The "S" is actually for the text scale factor. This can have two values either a "1" or a "0".

 

If you want to learn more about custom linetypes and linetype definition files in general just do a search on "Ralph Grabowski"+"linetype". Find and read his three part article from his eBook "Tailoring AutoCAD".

[Proctor]

Thank you again for your help. I am going to take your advise and read that article by Ralph Grabowski.

 

 

Proctor