Linetypes

Toolbar Menu

File
Properties
Standard

File

Settings

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.
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.

Add Defaults

Restores the default linetypes that have been deleted.

Model space scale

Sets the global scale factor for all linetype patterns in model viewports.

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

Name and pattern

Continuous

Border

Center

DashDot

Dashed

Dots

Hidden

Pattern

Linetypes are defined by a comma-separated list of dash and gap lengths, 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.

Cap style

Draws curve ends with the Flat (left), Round (middle), or Square (right) style.

Join style

Draws curve joined corners with the Miter (left), Round (middle), or Bevel (right) style.

  • Enable Print display to see the cap and join styles in viewports.

Width

Sets the width of the linetype.

Width Units (Pixels / Length Units)

Sets the width of the linetype to base on screen pixels or length units.

  • Pixel width is intended for screen capture only. It does not affect Print Preview in viewports or Print. To print linetypes with widths, set linetypes to use length unit width, or set the Print Width in object properties or layers.

  • Print width overrides linetype width in pixels, but not in length units.

  • Linetype width can display in viewports when print preview is on or off. Print width needs print preview to be on to display.

Taper

Enables line stroke for the linetype.

Taper Position (0 to 1)

Defines the location on a curve where the Taper Width applies.

0 is at the start of a curve and 1 is at the end.

The default value, 0.5, is halfway of the curve length.

  • Use the Dir command to swap the start and end of a curve.
Taper Width

Controls the line width at the Taper Position.

End Width

Controls the line width at the end of the curve.

  • The Width setting controls the start width.
Print and Display
Use model units

When enabled (right), linetype segments in Detail views use model units to print.

When disabled (left), linetype segments in Detail views use Layout units to print. The linetype segments in Detail views and on the layout will be printed with the same scale regardless of the detail view scaling.

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

  • In Linetypes Document Properties, click the Import button to load linetype patterns from a Rhino file or an .lin file.
  • Define linetypes in the template files.
  • Copy a line with the linetype definition and paste it into your current model.

Related commands

ExtractLineTypeSegments

Toolbar

Menu

Curve Tools

New in V8

Drafting

Curve

Curve from Objects >

Extract Linetype Segments

The ExtractLineTypeSegments command converts linetype patterns of the selected curves to curve segments and points.

  • The linetype properties of the extracted curve segments will be set to by object and continuous.

Command-line options

DeleteInput

Deletes the input curves.

GroupOutput

Makes the extracted curve segments of each input curve into a group.

OutputLayer=CurrentLayer/InputLayer

Places the extracted curve segments on the current layer or the same layer of the input curves.

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.

Linetypes

Toolbar

Menu

Not on toolbars.

Window

Panels > Linetypes

The Linetypes command shows document linetype definitions in a tabbed panel.

Linetypes panel

New

Add a new linetype to the document.

Copy

Duplicates the selected linetype.

Delete

Removes the selected linetype from the document.

Model space scale

Sets the global scale factor for all linetype patterns in model viewports.

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

Name and pattern

Continuous

Border

Center

DashDot

Dashed

Dots

Hidden

To sort linetypes

(For the Linetypes panel only)

  • Click the name or pattern header to sort the linetype list.

Pattern

Name

The linetype pattern name.

Segments

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

Segment Units

Sets the display scale for linetypes to millimeters or inches.

Styling

Cap style

Draws curve ends with the Flat (left), Round (middle), or Square (right) style.

Join style

Draws curve joined corners with the Miter (left), Round (middle), or Bevel (right) style.

  • Enable Print display to see the cap and join styles in viewports.

Width

Width

Sets the width of the linetype.

Width Units (Pixels / Length Units)

Sets the width of the linetype to base on screen pixels or length units.

  • Pixel width is intended for screen capture only. It does not affect Print Preview in viewports or Print. To print linetypes with widths, set linetypes to use length unit width, or set the Print Width in object properties or layers.

  • Print width overrides linetype width in pixels, but not in length units.

  • Linetype width can display in viewports when print preview is on or off. Print width needs print preview to be on to display.

Taper

Tapered

Enables line stroke for the linetype.

Taper Position (0 to 1)

Defines the location on a curve where the Taper Width applies.

0 is at the start of a curve and 1 is at the end.

The default value, 0.5, is halfway of the curve length.

  • Use the Dir command to swap the start and end of a curve.
Taper Width

Controls the line width at the Taper Position.

Taper End Width

Controls the line width at the end of the curve.

  • The Width setting controls the start width.

Right-click context menu

  • Right-click on a linetype to show the context menu.

Assign to selected objects

Applies the linetype to the objects in selection.

  • Or select the curves and Shift+Double-click on the linetype pattern.

Assign to layer

Applies the linetype to the selected layer.

Select objects

Selects the objects displaying the linetype that can be By Layer or By Object.

  • Or double-click on the linetype pattern.

  • Only the object types supporting linetype display will be selected.

  • Objects in block instances using the linetype cannot be selected.

Copy

Makes a copy of the linetype.

Delete

Removes the linetype from the document.

Add defaults

Restores the default linetypes that have been deleted.

SetCustomLinetype

Toolbar

Menu

Not on toolbars.

The SetCustomLinetype command lets you edit an object's custom linetype properties in a floating dialog.

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 settings