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Pattern Descriptors
Each pattern descriptor field specifies the length of segments making up the
linetype, separated by commas (no spaces are allowed):
■ A positive decimal number denotes a pen-down (dash) segment of that
length.
■ A negative decimal number denotes a pen-up (space) segment of that
length.
■ A dash length of 0 draws a dot.
You can enter up to 12 dash-length specifications per linetype, provided they
fit on one 80-character line in the LIN file. You need to include only one
complete repetition of the linetype pattern defined by pattern descriptors.
When the linetype is drawn, AutoCAD uses the first pattern descriptor for the
starting and ending dashes. Between the starting and ending dashes, the
pattern dash specifications are drawn sequentially, beginning with the second
dash specification and restarting the pattern with the first dash specification
when required.
A-type alignment requires that the first dash length be 0 or greater (a pen-down
segment). The second dash length should be less than 0 if you need a pen-up
segment and more than 0 if you are creating a continuous linetype. You must
have at least two dash specifications for A-type alignment.
To create a simple linetype from the Command prompt
1 At the command prompt, enter -linetype.
2 Enter c (Create).
3 Enter a name for the linetype and press ENTER.
The linetype name can include up to 255 characters. Linetype names can
contain letters, digits, and the special characters dollar sign ($), hyphen
(-), and underscore (_). Linetype names cannot include blank spaces.
4 In the Create or Append Linetype File dialog box, select an LIN linetype
library file from the File Name box and choose Save.
If you select an existing file, the new linetype name is added to the
linetype names in the file.
5 Enter text that describes the new linetype (optional).
66 | Chapter 2 Custom Linetypes