Why Are My Lines Not Dashed in AutoCAD?

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Are you frustrated because your lines are not dashed in AutoCAD? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

This issue can be quite perplexing, but fear not, for I am here to help you troubleshoot and resolve this problem. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons why your lines are not dashed and provide you with some easy solutions.

The Line Type Scale

One of the common reasons why your lines may not be dashed in AutoCAD is due to the line type scale. The line type scale determines the size of dashes and gaps in a dashed line. If the line type scale is set too low or too high, it can result in solid lines instead of dashed lines.

To adjust the line type scale:

  1. Open the Properties Palette: You can access the Properties Palette by pressing Ctrl+1 on your keyboard or by clicking on the Properties button in the Home tab of the ribbon.
  2. Select the Line: Click on the line that you want to dash. The Properties Palette will display information about the selected line.
  3. Adjust Line Type Scale: Locate the Line Type Scale property in the Properties Palette and modify its value. Increase it if you want larger dashes or decrease it if you want smaller dashes.

The LTSCALE Command

If adjusting the Line Type Scale property doesn’t solve your problem, you can try using the LTSCALE command. The LTSCALE command allows you to globally adjust all line types in your drawing.

To use the LTSCALE command:

  1. Open Command Line: Type “LTSCALE” into the Command Line and press Enter.
  2. Set Line Type Scale: Enter the desired line type scale value and press Enter. A value of 1 is the default scale.

Incorrect Line Type

Another reason why your lines may not be dashed is because you are using an incorrect line type. AutoCAD provides various line types, such as Dashed, Center, Hidden, and more. If you have accidentally selected a solid line type instead of a dashed line type, your lines will appear solid.

To change the line type:

  1. Open the Properties Palette: Press Ctrl+1 on your keyboard or click on the Properties button in the Home tab of the ribbon to open the Properties Palette.
  2. Select the Line: Click on the line that you want to change.
  3. Choose Line Type: Locate the Linetype property in the Properties Palette and click on it to open a drop-down menu. Select a dashed line type from the list.

The PLINEGEN System Variable

If none of the above solutions work, it might be due to the PLINEGEN system variable being turned off. The PLINEGEN system variable controls whether AutoCAD generates linetypes for polyline segments or not.

To turn on PLINEGEN:

  1. Open Command Line: Type “PLINEGEN” into the Command Line and press Enter.
  2. Set Value to 1: Enter “1” as the value for PLINEGEN and press Enter. This will enable linetype generation for polyline segments.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to fix the issue of your lines not being dashed in AutoCAD. Remember to check the line type scale, use the LTSCALE command if necessary, select the correct line type, and ensure that PLINEGEN is turned on. Happy dashing!