How Do I Create a Dashed Polyline in AutoCAD?

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Creating a dashed polyline in AutoCAD can be a useful technique when you want to represent objects with a dashed line instead of a solid one. Whether you want to create a dashed polyline for aesthetic purposes or to differentiate it from other objects, AutoCAD provides several options to achieve this effect.

Using the PLINE command

The easiest way to create a dashed polyline in AutoCAD is by using the PLINE command. This command allows you to draw polylines with various linetypes, including dashed lines.

To create a dashed polyline using the PLINE command:

  1. Open AutoCAD and start a new drawing or open an existing one.
  2. Type “PLINE” in the command line and press Enter.
  3. Specify the first point of your polyline by clicking on the desired location in the drawing area.
  4. Continue specifying additional points by clicking on different locations in the drawing area.
  5. Press Enter when you have finished specifying points for your polyline.
  6. In the Properties palette, click on the Linetype field and select “Dashed” from the drop-down menu.

Modifying linetype scale

If you find that your dashed polyline lines appear too dense or too sparse, you can modify the linetype scale to adjust their appearance. The linetype scale determines how long each dash and gap in the line appears relative to its overall length.

To modify the linetype scale of your dashed polyline:

  1. Select your dashed polyline by clicking on it.
  2. Right-click and choose “Properties” from the context menu.
  3. In the Properties palette, locate the Linetype Scale field and enter a new value.
  4. Press Enter to apply the new linetype scale.

Using custom linetypes

If the default dashed line provided by AutoCAD doesn’t meet your requirements, you can create your own custom linetype to achieve the desired effect. Custom linetypes allow you to define different combinations of dashes, dots, and spaces to create unique line styles.

To create a custom linetype for your dashed polyline:

  1. Type “LINETYPE” in the command line and press Enter.
  2. Click on the “Load” button in the Linetype Manager dialog box.
  3. In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, click on “File” and then select “New.” Type a name for your new linetype in the Name field and click “OK.”
  4. In the Create or Edit Linetype dialog box, define your custom linetype pattern using characters such as “-” for dashes and “.”

    for dots. For example, “-.-.” represents a dashed line with gaps between each dash.

  5. Click “OK” to save your custom linetype.

Once you have created your custom linetype, you can assign it to your polyline by following these steps:

  1. Select your dashed polyline by clicking on it.
  2. Right-click and choose “Properties” from the context menu.
  3. In the Properties palette, click on the Linetype field and select your custom linetype from the drop-down menu.

By following these steps, you can create a dashed polyline in AutoCAD using either the default dashed line or a custom linetype of your choice. Remember to experiment with different linetype scales and custom linetypes to achieve the desired visual effect for your drawings.