Technical Drawing standards: Line weights.
The British Technical Drawing standards allows for three Line weights on each drawing. However, this varies for each drawing discipline.
Engineering drawings only require two line weights, Construction drawings can have up to four Line weights. The Line weights should be in the ratio 4:2:1. The extra line weight for construction drawings is used to represent graphical symbols and is situated somewhere between the ‘Narrow’ Line and ‘Wide’ line.
The acceptable line weights (in mm) that can be used in a drawing are as follows:
0.18 | 0.25 | 0.35 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.0
For the nerds among you the ratio between Line weights is 1:√2 (≈ 1:1.4):
You can use which ever group of line weights you like. You should base your choice on the size of paper and copying requirements.
Narrow (thin) |
Graphical symbols |
Wide (Thick) |
Extra Wide |
|
0.13 |
0.18 |
0.25 |
0.5 |
|
0.18 |
0.25 |
0.35 |
0.7 |
|
0.25 |
0.35 |
0.5 |
1.0 |
|
0.35 |
0.5 |
0.7 |
1.4 |
|
0.5 |
0.7 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
if you only want to use two line weights, take the narrow and wide pair from each row.
The default line weight in both Autocad and Inventor is 0.25mm.
The recommended Line weight for the ‘Drawing frame’ (Border) for engineering drawings is 0.7mm. I’m not sure how this fits in!
I found some drawing created in public service on model space line wight 0.3,.35,0.5 very thick
how can change very thin lines to bring right line weight I try to draw from particular drawing click line tool it come big thick line how ride off
Hi Sinna,
Is this the line weight visibility you seen on the screen – or the plotted drawing?
If it’s on the plot – use layers and layer properties to change the lineweight.
If it’s the thickness of the line you are looking at on screen, try turning lineweight visibility off:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-DB74CB64-2083-4285-92B9-653DEBAFEDDE-htm.html
Paul
I am in the throes of rewriting the CAD manual for a small structural engineering company. The methods they have been using up to now leave a lot to be desired, e.g. creating blocks on specific layers instead of layer 0. The line weights are across the whole 255 colours with little rhyme or reason. I will from time to time need to ask apparently silly questions of someone. You may just be that person.
Regards,
Ken Irvine-Brown
No Problem Ken, ask away ;)
Paul