Control the start and end of Lines that use non-continuous linetypes

[ccowgill]

I dont know how to really title this, maybe one of the moderators can give it a better one. I am wondering if anyone knows if there is a way to have a linetype truncate instead of stretch, or why AutoCAD is set up this way. in other words, if I have a linetype definition that is 50' long and within it is a 12.5' line and a 37.5' gap, when the line is drawn, at 300' it stretches the line, instead of ending in a gap, I have to make it 312.5' long for the line at both ends to be 12.5', and sometimes that doesn't work either. Hopefully someone understands and can help me out.

Thanks,

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

As far as I am aware (which means nothing)... no, it is not possible to control the behaviour you are referring to.

You may wish to take a look at the information found in THIS thread.

Have a good one, Mike

[ccowgill]

Thanks Mike, that gave me my answer. It is time for another wishlist item.

[Richard McDonald]

I dont know how to really title this, maybe one of the moderators can give it a better one. I am wondering if anyone knows if there is a way to have a linetype truncate instead of stretch, or why AutoCAD is set up this way. in other words, if I have a linetype definition that is 50' long and within it is a 12.5' line and a 37.5' gap, when the line is drawn, at 300' it stretches the line, instead of ending in a gap, I have to make it 312.5' long for the line at both ends to be 12.5', and sometimes that doesn't work either. Hopefully someone understands and can help me out.

Thanks,
This has driven me crazy for sometime but I can see the reason behind not ending in a 'gap'

The only way I know of dealing with this is long winded. Calculate the overall length of your line and then use the lengthen command the get an exact distance.

[ccowgill]

yes, but if your line only needs to be a particular length, you run into a problem of the line being too long. I suppose you could use a Wipeout to hide the rest, but it is a pain. I added it to the wish list, with the addition of not allowing a line to exist as a gap. I think that ending the line with a gap is ok, especially if you are using one line to avoid using an array of individual segments that need to be arc and rotated to follow a roadway, pavement markings are a pain.

[jaberwok]

Surely, it's a basic of technical drawing that all lines have a specific length. If a non-continuous line starts and/or ends with a gap how do you define the length?
Also, it would be contrary to ANSI, BS and ISO standards.

[ccowgill]

Surely, it's a basic of technical drawing that all lines have a specific length. If a non-continuous line starts and/or ends with a gap how do you define the length?
Also, it would be contrary to ANSI, BS and ISO standards.
there are two instances that I can think of that this would be beneficial.

1. Centerlines, it would be nice to use a centerline linetype that no matter how long the line was, at the beginning it stayed a constant length so that every 50' the block that was added would create a plus for stationing the centerline.

2. Pavement markings. instead of creating a 12.5' long dash and arraying it with a 37.5' gap and accounting for curves in the road, and changes in bearing, it would be much faster to use a line type, however, when the beginning and ending segments are stretched, they are longer than 12.5, which no longer meets the requirements of the line type. I understand it goes against most standards, but it would be nice to have it as an available option for instances when it is required. this wouldn't be controlled by a system variable, i think you would have to manually select the object and tell it you want this method to be used.

[jaberwok]

I see your point but I think it requires a different mechanism. I've always believed it unwise to accept that the lines and spaces in a linetype have consistent, specific lengths - they are a visual pattern, no more.

[ccowgill]

yes, but try explaining that to anyone who doesn't understand AutoCAD, it was hard enough for me to explain it here.