WorldCAD Access

Tips: AutoCAD - Complex Linetypes

Q: I am an AutoCAD user, but I have trouble to create a complex linetype. Is it possible to make a flow line that looks like ----->------>--------> something like what I'm showing?
- M. K. K-R.

A: Yes, it is possible. Here is the steps:

1. Open the acad.lin file in Notepad.
2. Scroll down to
3. Take some existing code, and make a copy of its, such as:

*FENCELINE1,Fenceline circle ----0-----0----0-----0----0-----0--
A,.25,-.1,[CIRC1,ltypeshp.shx,x=-.1,s=.1],-.1,1

4. Figure out the code for the > symbol, and stick it in the copied code, as shown below:

*ARROWFLOW,Flowline Direction ---->----->---->----->---->----->--
A,.25,-.1,[">",STANDARD,x=-.1,s=.1],-.1,1

You're going to have to play with the parameters a bit, to make the arrowhead centered in the line. Check out my tutorial on creating complex linetypes at:

* Intro to linetype customization
* Complex linestypes

Tips - AutoCAD: Auxilliary Views

Q: Could you tell me if Intellicad and/or Autocad have a capability of creating an "auxiliary view" for lines that don't lie entirely "in" the WCS xyz planes?

Auxiliary views are a basic thing I learned when I was a 12th grade senior in high school. I am now 63 and building an airplane and have a need to put my fuselage, tailwheel, and left main landing gear into a CAD program so I can analyse/measure changes in wing angle of attack with changes in length of main gear legs, re-orientation of tail wheel, and use of larger diameter tires.

I have done the aux view on a large engineering drawing but can't figure how to input that into Intellicad. I've created a UCS named "aux_view_1" which tips the UCS icon to parallel the landing gear when viewed from the front, but nothing I draw seems to be drawn in that new plane -- everything continues to be in the WCS.
-D.C.

A: The solution is to use the Plan command. That reorients the drawing plan to match the new UCS.

In addition, check if IntelliCAD has the UCSFollow system variable. In AutoCAD, that system variable automatically sets plan view after a change in UCS (when turned on):

Command: ucsfollow
Enter new value for UCSFOLLOW <0>: 1