Lineweights
The first thing we touched on was AutoCAD lineweights for the Willdan CAD Standard. With the new standards being developed we want to use object/layer lineweights to control plotted line thickness instead of the using color to determine plotted lightweights. Also, we want the ability to plot full or half scale using the same pen table.
AutoCAD comes with 24 lineweights but with a 400 DPI plotter like the Xerox 510 there are about 11 of the different plotted lineweights. For example, a lineweight of 0.13mm plots exactly the same as a 0.20mm line. With a 600 DPI plotter there are a few more but it is basically the same. I have gone though these lineweights and found six lineweights that can represent all our plotting needs and have the ability to be scale in half to create legable half scale plots.
0.18mm will be a zero weight line, the reason we dont use a smaller lineweight is that when plotted half scale
0.35mm is similar to a weight 1 one in Microstation and will be used for text and call outs.
0.50mm and 0.70mm will be used for proposed linework. For now these two are interchangeable. They do plot different but the 0.70mm lineweight plots better on half scale plots, but both are acceptable. The standard template use the 0.70mm lineweight.
The final 3 lineweights (1.00mm, 1.40mm, and 2.00mm) are there for any other need for thinker linework. Do not vary from these lineweights because half scale results may not result in an acceptable plot.
These changes have been incorporated into the CAD standard document that can be downloaded here "Willdan CAD Standards rev 0.3". Refer to page 21-23 for lineweights.
Drawing Template and import of Layers
I have updated the AutoCAD templates on the Anaheim server. If you are not in the Anaheim office and want to use these templates you can get them on
(\\soc-dc1\config\ACAD CONFIG\Templates)
or
e-mail me and I can send them to you.
I have also created another way to bring in layers into a drawing using the Tool palette
These Tool palette commands will import the layers, color, linetype, lineweight, and descriptions with basically a push of a button. These tools need a little more work and only work in the Anaheim office, for now. I also need to study up a little more on AutoLISP to get them to work perfect, but for now if you are in the Anaheim office and need to bring in the annotation layers you now have a tool. Some setup in your options need to be set but it is easy.
System Variables for Linetypes
With the new annotative scale (AutoCAD 2008+) there is a new system variable that tells linetypes in model space to use the annotative scale to adjust the appearance of linetypes.
MSLTSCALE (system variable)
This variable scales linetypes displayed in model space by the annotation scale
0 - Linetypes displayed in model space are not scaled by the annotation scale
1 - Linetypes displayed in model space are scaled by the annotation scale
The preferred method to get linetypes to display properly is to set all the following variables to "1"
MSLTSCALE - scales linetypes displayed in model space by the annotation scale
LTSCALE - sets the global linetype scale factor
PSLTSCALE - controls linetype scaling of objects in paperspace viewports
This works for linetypes that need to adjust when different scales are used but do not work with linetypes that need to stay the same size at all scales, like lane lines.
Related links
Willdan CAD Standards revision 0.3
Layer Name Format
Layer Codes (based on National CAD Standard)
