How Do I Save a Linetype in AutoCAD?

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In AutoCAD, linetypes are used to control the appearance of lines in your drawings. By default, AutoCAD provides a variety of linetypes to choose from. However, if you want to create a custom linetype or modify an existing one, you can easily do so by following these steps:

Saving a Linetype

If you have created a linetype that you want to use in future projects or share with others, saving it is essential. Here’s how:

  • Create the Linetype

    • Before saving a linetype, you need to create it first. To do this:

    1. Open the drawing where you want to create the linetype.
    2. Go to the Manage tab in the Ribbon and click on “Linetype” in the Properties panel.
    3. In the Linetype Manager dialog box, click on “Load” or type “LT” and press Enter.
    4. In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, click on “File” and select “New..”
    5. Enter a name for your new linetype and click “OK”.
    6. In the Create or Edit Linetype Pattern dialog box, specify the pattern for your linetype using various character codes.

      (Refer to AutoCAD’s documentation for details on creating custom linetypes. )

    7. Click “OK” to save your new linetype.
  • Save the Linetype

    • Once you have created your custom linetype, it’s time to save it:

    1. In the Linetype Manager dialog box, select your new linetype from the list and click on “Save As”.
    2. In the Save Linetype dialog box, enter a name for your linetype and click “Save”.
    3. Your custom linetype is now saved and can be accessed in future projects.
  • Load a Saved Linetype

    • If you have received a linetype from someone else or want to use a linetype created in a different drawing, you can load it into AutoCAD:

    1. Open the drawing where you want to use the saved linetype.
    2. In the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box, click on “File” and select the saved linetype file (.LIN).
    3. Click “OK” to load the selected linetypes into your drawing.

    Note: If you want to make your custom linetypes available in all drawings by default, you can add them to AutoCAD’s support file search path. This way, they will automatically load whenever you start AutoCAD. Consult AutoCAD’s documentation for more information on modifying support file search paths.

    In Conclusion

    Saving a linetype in AutoCAD allows you to reuse it in future projects or share it with others. By following these steps, you can easily create, save, and load custom linetypes. Whether you need consistent line styles across drawings or want to add a personal touch to your designs, custom linetypes can enhance the visual appeal of your AutoCAD drawings.