Linetypes

Toolbar Menu

File
Properties
Standard

File

Properties

The Linetype properties manage the linetype patterns for the current model.

  • Using linetypes displays curves using dashed or dotted.
  • Linetypes are assigned as object and layer properties.
  • Linetypes affect only curve objects - not surfaces, solids, or other object types.

Options

Continuous

Border

Center

DashDot

Dashed

Dots

Hidden

Pattern

Linetypes are defined by a comma-separated list of dash and gap lengths (in model units), always starting with a dash. A zero-length dash is a dot.

Inches

Sets the display scale for linetypes to inches.

Millimeters

Sets the display scale for linetypes to millimeters.

Linetype scale

Sets the global scale factor for all linetype patterns.

The SetLinetypeScale command can change this setting from Command-line.

Add

Adds a linetype definition.

Copy

Makes a copy of the selected linetype definition.

Delete

Deletes a linetype definition.

Import

Imports linetype definitions from a .3dm, .lin or .txt file.

In the Import Linetypes dialog box, select the linetypes to import.

To set linetypes on objects

  • In Object Properties, under Linetypes, click an option.
    The default object linetype is By Layer.

To set linetypes on layers

  • In the Layers panel, in the Linetypes column, select an option.
    Or
  • Use the SetLayerLinetype command.

To define linetypes

  • Use the controls to add a new type.

To create a new linetype

  1. Click the Add button.
    A new linetype is added to the list.
  2. Click the name to rename it.

    See: Naming conventions in Rhino

  3. While the new linetype is active, in the Pattern edit box specify the pattern for the linetype.

Example

"1,1" specifies a pattern with a 1-unit dash, followed by a 1-unit space.

"2,.5" specifies a pattern with a 2-unit dash, followed by a 0.5-unit space.

"1,.25,.25,.25" specifies a pattern with a 1-unit dash, .25-unit space, .25-unit dash, .25-unit space.

Complex dash-space patterns can be created this way.

To rename a linetype

  1. Select a linetype to highlight it.
  2. Click its name to type the new name.
  3. See: Naming conventions in Rhino

  • The default Continuous linetype cannot be renamed.

Linetype units

In Rhino linetype files, specify units with a designator. All subsequent line patterns will use the specified units. You can change back and forth within a single file. If neither designator is found, mm is used.

Example

#mm

Sets subsequent line patterns to mm units.

#inch

Sets subsequent line patterns to inch units.

To use linetypes defined in another Rhino model

Using AutoCAD linetype files

  1. Copy your acad.lin file into the folder
    C:/Users/<loginname>/AppData/Roaming/McNeel/Rhinoceros/<version>/Localization/en/Support.
  2. Copy the contents of acad.lin and paste into the existing Rhino file.

Related commands

LinetypeDisplay

Toolbar Menu

Not on menus.

The LinetypeDisplay command configures how linetypes display in viewports.

Command-line options

DisplayLinetypes

Turn on or off linetype display in viewports.

PatternBySegment

Restarts the linetype pattern at the beginning of each polyline segment.

PatternSegmentBreakAngle

Restarts the linetype pattern when the angle between polyline segments exceeds this value.

SetLinetype

Toolbar Menu

Dimension
Drafting

Not on menus.

The SetLinetype command specifies a linetype for the selected curves.

Steps

  1. Select curves.
  2. In the Select Linetypes dialog box, select a linetype from the list.

SetLayerLinetype

Toolbar Menu

Not on toolbars.

Not on menus.

The SetLayerLinetype command specifies a linetype for the specified layer.

Steps

  1. Specify a layer name.
  2. Specify a linetype.

SetLinetypeScale

Toolbar Menu

Not on toolbars.

Not on menus.

The SetLinetypeScale command specifies the global linetype scale from the command line.

See also

Use drafting tools

Manage document properties