Menu path
CAD > Line Defaults
CAD > Line Defaults opens a dialog box where you can set default properties for new line entities. These settings apply to all lines you draw after configuring them.
🧾 Basic Line Properties
Field | Description |
Colour | Sets the default colour for new line entities. Opens the Defaults Colour dialog box. |
Layer | Sets the default layer for new line entities. Opens the Defaults Layer dialog box. |
Style | Sets the default line style for new line entities. Opens the Defaults Style dialog box. |
Weight | Sets the default line weight for new line entities. Opens the Defaults Weight dialog box. |
🔧 Start Terminator Settings
Field | Description |
Start terminator type | Choose from Arrow, S-Arrow (solid arrow), O-Arrow (open arrow), Dot, S-Dot (solid dot), E-Dot (extended dot), E-S-Dot (extended solid dot), Slash, or None. |
Start terminator length | Numeric value in model units that defines the length of the start terminator. For dots, this sets the radius. For slashes, character width equals 2 × this value. |
Start terminator height | Numeric value in model units that defines the height of arrow-type terminators, measured perpendicular to the line. |
Start terminator size | Choose Original (scales with model) or Plot-Scale (remains constant regardless of plot scale). |
Start terminator trim | Choose Yes to trim the line back by the terminator length, or No to keep the full line length. |
Start terminator weight | Choose Line (uses default weight) or Alternate (uses custom weight setting). |
Alt Start terminator weight | Sets custom weight when Start terminator weight is set to Alternate. Only active when Alternate is selected. |
🔧 End Terminator Settings
Field | Description |
End terminator type | Choose from Arrow, S-Arrow (solid arrow), O-Arrow (open arrow), Dot, S-Dot (solid dot), E-Dot (extended dot), E-S-Dot (extended solid dot), Slash, or None. |
Line End terminator length | Numeric value in model units that defines the length of the end terminator. For dots, this sets the radius. For slashes, character width equals 2 × this value. |
End terminator height | Numeric value in model units that defines the height of arrow-type terminators, measured perpendicular to the line. |
End terminator size | Choose Original (scales with model) or Plot-Scale (remains constant regardless of plot scale). |
End terminator weight | Choose Line (uses default weight) or Alternate (uses custom weight setting). |
Alt End terminator weight | Sets custom weight when End terminator weight is set to Alternate. Only active when Alternate is selected. |
🧾 Display Settings
Field | Description |
Haloed | Choose Yes to display lines with a halo (encapsulated area of invisible space around the line), or No for standard display. |
Plotting | Choose Yes to include lines in plot output, or No to exclude them from plotting. |
🛠 Terminator Type Examples
Arrow types:
Arrow, solid arrow, and open arrow terminators use both length and height values to define their size.
Dot types:
Dot and solid dot: Radius defined by length value, positioned at line endpoint
Extended dot and extended solid dot: Radius defined by length value, but positioned away from the line endpoint by the same distance as the length value
Slash: Character width equals 2 times the length value.
💡 Original vs Plot-Scale Sizing
Original: Terminator scales proportionally with the model. A 10-unit terminator plots as (10 units × plot scale). Visual size remains consistent relative to the model.
Plot-Scale: Terminator size remains constant regardless of plot scale. A 10-unit terminator always plots as 10 units. Visual size changes relative to the model when plot scale changes.
⚠️ Important Notes
These settings only affect lines drawn after you configure them
Alternative weight settings are only effective when the corresponding weight option is set to Alternate
Extended dot terminators are positioned away from the line endpoint by a distance equal to the terminator length