Specify Linetype Scale

You can specify the linetype scale for objects you create. The smaller the scale, the more repetitions of the pattern are generated per drawing unit. By default, AutoCAD uses a global linetype scale of 1.0, which is equal to one drawing unit. You can change the linetype scale for all drawing objects, attribute references, and groups.

The CELTSCALE system variable sets the linetype scale for newly created objects. LTSCALE globally changes the linetype scale of existing objects as well as new objects. To change the values of system variables using AutoCAD ActiveX Automation, use the SetVariable method.

For more information about linetype scales, see “Control Linetype Scale” in the User's Guide.

Change the linetype scale for a circle

Sub Ch4_ChangeLinetypeScale()

  ' Save the current linetype

  Set currLineType = ThisDrawing.ActiveLinetype

  ' Change the active linetype to Border, so the scale change will

  ' be visible.

  ' First see if the Border linetype is already loaded

  On Error Resume Next		'Turn on error trapping

  ThisDrawing.ActiveLinetype = ThisDrawing.Linetypes.Item("BORDER")

  If Err.Number = -2145386476 Then

	' Error indicates linetype is not currently loaded, so load it.

	ThisDrawing.Linetypes.Load "BORDER", "acad.lin"

	ThisDrawing.ActiveLinetype = _

		ThisDrawing.Linetypes.Item("BORDER")

  End If

  On Error GoTo 0			 'Turn off error trapping

  ' Create a circle object in model space

  Dim center(0 To 2) As Double

  Dim radius As Double

  Dim circleObj As AcadCircle

  center(0) = 2

  center(1) = 2

  center(2) = 0

  radius = 4

  Set circleObj = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace.AddCircle(center, radius)

  circleObj.Update

  MsgBox ("Here is the circle with the original linetype")

  ' Set the linetype scale of a circle to 3

  circleObj.LinetypeScale = 3#

  circleObj.Update

  MsgBox ("Here is the circle with the new linetype")

  ' Restore original active linetype

  ThisDrawing.ActiveLinetype = currLineType

End Sub