What Is Psltscale in AutoCAD?

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Introduction
In AutoCAD, there are various settings and options that can be customized to enhance your drawing experience. One such setting is the PSLTSCALE.

It stands for “Paper Space Line Type Scale”, and it controls the scaling of linetypes in paper space. Understanding how PSLTSCALE works is important for creating accurate and visually appealing drawings. In this article, we will explore the concept of PSLTSCALE and its significance in AutoCAD.

What is Paper Space
Before we delve into PSLTSCALE, let’s briefly discuss what paper space is. In AutoCAD, there are two primary workspaces: model space and paper space.

Model space is where you create your actual drawing, while paper space represents the final output on a sheet of paper or a plotter. Paper space allows you to set up layouts, insert title blocks, and define viewports to control how your drawing appears when printed or plotted.

The Role of Linetypes

Linetypes in AutoCAD are used to represent different types of lines such as dashed lines, centerlines, hidden lines, etc. These linetypes are defined using a combination of dots, dashes, and gaps.

However, when you switch from model space to paper space, the linetypes might appear differently due to scaling issues. This is where PSLTSCALE comes into play.

Understanding PSLTSCALE

PSLTSCALE determines whether linetypes should be scaled based on the current annotation scale in the layout or remain at their original scale regardless of the annotation scale. By default, PSLTSCALE is set to 1 (on), which means that linetypes will be scaled according to the annotation scale applied in paper space.

  • When PSLTSCALE is 0 (off):

    • When PSLTSCALE is turned off, linetypes in paper space are displayed at their original scale, irrespective of the annotation scale. This can result in inconsistent linetype displays if different annotation scales are used.

  • When PSLTSCALE is 1 (on):

    • With PSLTSCALE turned on, linetypes in paper space are scaled based on the annotation scale applied. This ensures that the linetypes appear consistently across different viewports and layouts.

Changing PSLTSCALE Setting

To change the PSLTSCALE setting, follow these steps:

  1. Access the AutoCAD command line by typing ‘OPTIONS’ and pressing Enter.
  2. In the Options dialog box, select the “Display” tab.
  3. Under the “Window Elements” section, find and click on “Linetypes” to expand its options.
  4. In the expanded options, locate and toggle the checkbox next to “Show Paper Space Linetype Scale” to enable or disable PSLTSCALE.
  5. Click on “OK” to apply the changes.

Best Practices for Using PSLTSCALE

To ensure consistent and accurate representation of your drawing in paper space, it is recommended to keep PSLTSCALE turned on. This will help maintain proper scaling of linetypes across different viewports and layouts.

However, there might be specific scenarios where turning off PSLTSCALE can be beneficial. For example, if you have a title block with a fixed linetype that should not be affected by scaling.

Note:

Always consider your specific drawing requirements and consult any relevant standards or guidelines before deciding to change the PSLTSCALE setting.

Conclusion
In AutoCAD, PSLTSCALE plays a crucial role in controlling the scaling of linetypes in paper space. Understanding its functionality and implications is essential for creating accurate and visually appealing drawings. By keeping PSLTSCALE turned on and applying appropriate annotation scales, you can ensure consistent linetype representation across different viewports and layouts, resulting in high-quality prints or plots.