AutoCAD Express Tools – Linetype Creation utility

by Dennis Collin

For many years AutoCAD has had a useful set of tools which makes certain tasks a lot easier to perform. A general overview of them can be found here:

https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360009370717-AutoCAD-2021-Express-Tools-to-Boost-Productivity

Fig. Sample linetype definition drawn in real world plotted units.

One of these tools is a linetype creation tool that is useful for building service plans and site survey drawings. Rather than editing a text file (typically ACADISO.LIN) a bespoke linetype definition is simply drawn at desired plot size.

NB: If using Text strings for complex linetypes ensure that text elements are single line entities rather than multi-line text.

These elements can then be selected and saved to a library file and recalled when needed to either a project drawing or saved to a project template.

The bespoke linetype can then be assigned to objects or layers as desired.

Fig. Bespoke Linetype in a typical building plan