Help Desk

DIAGRAMS users have the flexibility to change and add their own custom line types to their projects using the Diagrams Project Manager. 

This article will cover both adding a new line type, and changing an existing line type

Adding a line type

Following this step-by-step guide will allow the user to add a new line type to their project

Step 1: Create the line type in the Diagrams.lin file

• The default location for this file is "[Path of Diagrams project directory]\Support\Diagrams.lin"
• Open the Diagrams.lin file using any text file editor, such as Notepad
• Add the new line type to the end of the Diagrams.lin using AutoCAD's custom line type formatting*
• Save and close the Diagrams.lin

*Follow provided link for an explanation from AutoCAD on formatting for custom line types. Formatting and syntax for the custom line type should to be exactly specific, else the line may not appear as wanted when drawn.

Step 2: Add the line type to the project's Symbol Library

• Open your project in the Diagrams Project Manager
• Open the Symbol Library section of the Project Manager
• Add a new symbol to the appropriate section of your symbol library
• Adjust the symbol settings for the new line insertion
  • The following symbol settings are necessary for the creation and successful insertion of a line symbol:
    • Name: Name of line type
    • Insert Type: "Line"
    • Line Thickness: Default width of line type when inserting
    • Line Type: Chose the new line type
          Note: Dropdown contains a list of line types defined in the Diagrams.lin file
    • Line Break Priority: Controls the priority of a line breaking when crossing another
          Note: A line with a smaller number priority will break a higher number priority line
    • Line Break Distance: Distance of the gap created when a line is broken by another line
    • Layer: Layer the line type will be inserted on
  • The following settings are optional for the creation of a line symbol:
    • Image: Thumbnail image location for line
    • Table Name: Table line type will be added to upon creation
    • Tag: Allows the addition of a tag block after drawing a line
    • Label: Allows the addition of a label block after insertion of a line

Step 3: Load the line type in AutoCAD

• In AutoCAD, use the LINETYPE command to open the Linetype Manager
• Click "Load" in the top right to open "Load or Reload Linetypes"
• Click "File" in the top left to open the "Select Linetype File" file explorer
• Open the Diagrams.lin file located in the support folder of your project directory
• Load the newly added line type

Step 4: Draw with the new line type

• Locate the section of the symbol library the new line type was added to
• Click the name of the line type 
• Specify start point
• Specify next point
• Repeat until route is complete
• "Space", "Esc", or "E" to finish the command

Changing a line type

Following this step-by-step guide will allow the user to change a line type in their project

Step 1: Edit the line type in the Diagrams.lin file

• The default location for this file is "[Path of Diagrams project directory]\Support\Diagrams.lin"
• Open the Diagrams.lin file using any text file editor, such as Notepad
• Find and edit the desired line type using AutoCAD's custom line type formatting*
• Save and close the Diagrams.lin

*Follow provided link for an explanation from AutoCAD on formatting for custom line types. Formatting and syntax for the custom line type should to be exactly specific, else the line may not appear as wanted when drawn.

Step 2: Correct line type in the project's Symbol Library

• Open your project in the Diagrams Project Manager
• Open the Symbol Library section of the Project Manager
• Locate the insertion for the line type that was edited, or the line type in the library to be changed
• Update the Line Type option for that insertion
      Note: If the line type's name was changed in the Diagrams.lin, correct the Line Type section of the symbol

Step 3: Reload the line type in AutoCAD

• In AutoCAD, use the LINETYPE command to open the Linetype Manager
• Click "Load" in the top right to open "Load or Reload Linetypes"
• Click "File" in the top left to open the "Select Linetype File" file explorer
• Open the Diagrams.lin file located in the support folder of your project directory
• Click the changed line type
• Click either, "Reload the linetype, (Line type name)", or "Reload all selected linetypes"

Step 4: Draw with the changed line type

• Locate the changed line type in the symbol library
• Click the name of the line type 
• Specify start point
• Specify next point
• Repeat until route is complete
• "Space", "Esc", or "E" to finish the command