2013

Table Of Contents
Shapes in Custom Linetypes
A complex linetype can contain embedded shapes that are saved in shape
files. Complex linetypes can denote utilities, boundaries, contours, and so on.
As with simple linetypes, complex lines are dynamically drawn as the user
specifies vertices. Shapes and text objects embedded in lines are always
displayed completely; they are never trimmed.
The syntax for complex linetypes is similar to that of simple linetypes in that
it is a comma-delimited list of pattern descriptors. Complex linetypes can
include shape and text objects as pattern descriptors, as well as dash-dot
descriptors.
The syntax for shape object descriptors in a linetype description is as follows:
[shapename,shxfilename] or [shapename,shxfilename,transform]
where transform is optional and can be any series of the following (each preceded
by a comma):
R=## Relative rotation
A=## Absolute rotation
U=## Upright rotation
S=## Scale
X=## X offset
Y=## Y offset
In this syntax, ## is a signed decimal number (1, -17, 0.01, and so on), the
rotation is in degrees, and the remaining options are in linetype-scaled drawing
units. The preceding transform letters, if they are used, must be followed by an
equal sign and a number.
The following linetype definition defines a linetype named CON1LINE that
is composed of a repeating pattern of a line segment, a space, and the
embedded shape CON1 from the ep.shx file. (Note that the ep.shx file must be
in the support path for the following example to work properly.)
*CON1LINE, --- [CON1] --- [CON1] --- [CON1]
A,1.0,-0.25,[CON1,ep.shx],-1.0
Except for the code enclosed in square brackets, everything is consistent with
the definition of a simple linetype.
24 | Chapter 2 Custom Linetypes