Controlling Linetype Scale is as Easy as 1,2,3!

Controlling linetype scale can be confusing. How to get the correct linetype scale for our
drawings? Why my linetype is not showing, just continuous lines? Sometimes we also
have a hard time when setting viewport in layout. We have them correctly in our model,
but they are all gone in our viewports! Sometimes we end up to do a trial and error
(again) to get it right.

This 3 steps guide maybe can help. It is not that hard at all when you know what control
the linetype appearance. It’s as easy as 1,2,3!

Step 1: Use the Right Template

This is important. If you work with metric, use metric template. If you use imperial, then
use imperial template. Yes you can change the units later, but you can save a lot of time
when you use a right template. Especially if you already define your own template.

Step 2: Check the Annotation Scale

Now you can draw just like usual. If you don’t see the linetype don’t worry. Change
the annotation scale. It’s at the right bottom of AutoCAD window.

Change to the scale you plan to plot or place in layout. You may need to REGEN your
drawing before see the effect.

The nice thing about annotation scaling is: it has intelligence to show how your objects
should look like in different scales. These two viewports below are showing identical
object. The left viewport is shown in 1:100 scale, while the right one in 1:50. See that the
linetype appears exactly at the same size on both viewports!

Very easy, isn’t it? In common situation, we only require to do those two steps. But if
you want to control your linetype scale further, check step 3.

Step 3: Check the Linetype Scale System Variable

The main system variable that controls the linetype scale is LTSCALE. If you started
with the right template, 1 in most cases is acceptable. However, you may need to adjust
the linetype scale. Change the LTSCALE to higher or lower value.

Annotation Scale Dependant

There are two more system variable that control the linetype scale appearance:
MSLTSCALE and PSLTSCALE. This variables are related to annotation scaling. By
default, their values are 1. If the step 2 above doesn’t work, these values might have been
changed to 0… check these variables.

If you don’t want the linetype scale is affected by annotation scaling, then you can
change it to 0. I strongly suggest you to leave it to 1. Try to get comfortable with
annotation scaling first. There are many benefits that you can get by using annotation
scaling.

Overriding the objects linetype scale

Sometimes we need to override some objects linetype scale, and not using the global
linetype scale. We can override the value from properties palette, under general category.
I hope controlling your linetype scale is no longer confusing! Have fun!