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There are now four AutoCAD variables that govern your line type scale. It can seem a little confusing, so hang on tight while we take a run through them…
Suggested values:
LTSCALE = 1.0
CELTSCALE = 1.0
PSLTSCALE = 1
MSLTSCALE = 1
To change a variable’s value, simply type it in at the command line and enter a new value when prompted. These values are saved in the drawing, so it’s worth getting them right in your template file.
Why should I use these values?
Why have I suggested these settings? Let me run through each one in a little more detail.
LTSCALE
This variable sets the Line Type Scale factor globally.
Use LTSCALE to change the scale factor of all linetypes for all geometry in a drawing. Changing the linetype scale factor causes a ‘REGEN’ so you can see the result of your changes straight away.
If you only draw and plot from Model space, you can use LTSCALE to scale all your line types to suit your plot scale. If you use Paper space layouts, just leave this set at 1.0.
CELTSCALE
Sets the Current Entity Line Type Scale i.e. whatever you are about to draw next!
The CELTSCALE is relative to LTSCALE. By setting CELTSCALE to 0.5 the next line you draw will have a linetype scale factor which is half that of the lines drawn previously.
You can use this feature to vary the linetype scale of your lines as you draw them. You can also change the line type scale of some geometry after you’ve drawn it by selecting the geometry and looking for ‘LTSCALE’ in the properties palette.
Don’t forget to set the ‘CELTSCALE’ back to match ‘LTSCALE’ when you’re finished.
PSLTSCALE
This variable controls the linetype scaling of geometry displayed in paper space viewports – Paper Space Line Type Scale.
This variable only has two settings. Setting ‘PSLTSCALE’ to 0 (Off) will mean that the linetype scale factor of your modelspace geometry will not be effected by the scale of your viewport.
Setting ‘PSLTSCALE’ to 1 (On) means that the line type scale of your modelspace geometry will be scaled to match the viewport scale.
If you use paper space layouts, turning paper space line type scaling on ensures that all your geometry will have the correct line type scale, no mater what the viewport scale is.
‘LTSCALE’ and ‘CELTSCALE’ Still effect the Line type scale of your geometry. You might need to use the ‘REGEN’ or ‘REGENALL’ command to see the result of any changes in your viewports.
MSLTSCALE
This is a reasonably new (Since 2007), but extremely useful variable. Like Paper space line type scaling, Model Space Line Type Scaling only has two options. Setting MSLTSCALE to 0 (Off) is the default setting and will behave as Autocad always has.
Setting MSLTSCALE To 1 (On) will cause the Line type scale of any geometry in model space to be scaled by the Annotation scale. This allows you to have a preview of how the line type scale might look when seen through a scaled viewport.
MSLTSCALE Overrides LTSCALE and CELTSCALE in Modelspace, but it doesn’t effect Paperspace, so it won’t change how your geometry looks inside your viewports.
Using MSLTSCALE is a really good way of checking that your linetypes are going to look as you expect them to, without having to ‘Flick’ back and forth between Paperspace and Modelspace.
Do you know how to which Linetype definitions you should use to meet the ISO Technical drawing standard? Read these posts on defining ISO linetype definitions to find out more.
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Although a confusing topic, great post! I work with the McGraw Hill Sweets Network, and we offer a great selection of cad details.
Great article. Didn’t know about the MSLTSCALE until now. ;-)
Cool! – Glad I could help :-)
Thanks for the info. I was hoping it would fix an issue I’m having with my autocad 2010 template but unfortunately it didn’t. I changed all ltscale settings in my template to 1 as suggested, but everytime I launch a drawing with the template my linetype scales changes to 2. Even when I change it to 1 in the properties manager then save and close it reverts back to 2 when I reopen the drawing. Any ideas on how I can fix this?
Hi Cheryl,
The LTSCALE value is saved in the drawing, so if it is correct in the template, it should be correct for every drawing that is created from that template.
The ‘Linetype scale’ in the properties pallette is changing the CELTSCALE value not the LTSCALE VALUE.
Do you have an ACAD.lsp or an ACADdoc.lsp running on your system? Do you have any third party apps or vertical products running that might be changing the LTSCALE variable?
Cheryl & Paul,
I have been working in AutoCAD since version 12 (1995-ish), and have run across this very issue for years. Knowing about the MSLTSCALE, PSLTSCALE, CELTSCALE, & LTSCALE settings (all set to 1), I still run accross a drawing from time to time that just will not properly display the linetypes when working in model space. I am not sure if it is just a bug, but have found the fix to be to just copy everything out of the “bugged” drawing, and into a fresh template drawing. Unless there is another setting that I am missing, I truely believe that it is just a bug which can not fixed within a drawing. Any additional thoughts that anyone has to offer on this subject, I would certainly be interested.
Thanks,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Good old AutoCAD does seem to have plenty of those ‘Undocumented features’ from previous versions that just never got fixed ;)
In this case I would look very carefully at the template file that I used to create the drawing (ACAD.dwt or ACADiso.dwt).
Edwin Prakoso has a very good explanation of why this important on his CAD-Notes Blog:
http://cad-notes.com/2012/03/what-will-went-wrong-if-i-use-imperial-template-for-my-metric-drawing/
Paul,
Hello Paul,
I am using AutoCAD LT 2012. My LTScale, PSLTScale, MSLTScale, & Celtscale are all set to 1. My hidden lines show up properly in model space & in paper space. However, when I plot, they show up as continuous lines. I don’t know how to fix this. I cannot find anywhere online that talks about this issue either. Please help! Thank you!
Letitia
Hi Letitia,
I would start by looking at the STB/CTB file that you are using. This can override the Line types that you are plotting.
Also, Check and see whether the same problem happens when you plot to PDF/DWF – this will illuminate the plot driver as a culprit.
I always suggest that you post in the Autodesk forums, there are a lot of knowledgeable folk there who could help you out. If you do – post me a link so that I can Join in :)
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Printing-and-Plotting/bd-p/30
Paul
Thank you! That was it! I had accidentally set them all to solid when I created the ctb file. Thank you so much. This has been driving me crazy! LOL
Letitia
Hurrah! Well done you :D