Modifying the Predefined Line Types

To modify a predefined line type, copy if from the TpcLines.DAT file to the UserLines.DAT file, then make the changes you want in the UserLines.DAT file. This is important because the TpcLines.DAT file may be overwritten by a TPC update, whereas the UserLines.DAT file is never overwritten by a TPC update.

1. From the TPC desktop, choose Tools | Program Settings and left click the Drawing View tab.
2. Left click the 'Line Types' button in the Customize section.
3. Modify any of the existing line types or add a new line type to the end of the file using the syntax given at the top of the file. You may want to print out the syntax portion for your reference.
4. Close the line type file. TPC will indicate that the line type changes you made will not take effect until you exit TPC and rerun it.

Here is an excerpt from the TpcLines.DAT file.

2,_12 6,Dashed,DASHED,__ __ __ __
3,.2 4,Dot,DOT,. . . .
4,_12 6.2 4,DashDot,DASHDOT,__ . __ . __

The file is self documenting and includes a complete explanation of the syntax shown here.

Filling Blocks

To include a filled block in a line type, you must fill the block with other objects like lines or polylines. Think of it as 'sketching in' the fill.

There are two exceptions to this:

1. If the block you are using has just one filled object TPC will use the fill from that object to fill the line type and you will get a filled block.

2. Filled circles are always filled, regardless of how many objects are in the block.

Related Topics

Using Predefined AutoCAD Line Types

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