Part 3
Module 13: Object Properties
Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:
- Describe object properties, linetype, and linetype scale.
- Describe how to assign and edit linetypes ByLayer and set their linetype scale.
- Apply the PROPERTIES and LTSCALE commands to display and edit properties of drawing objects and set the linetype scale of objects.
- Describe how to select objects using a pick, a window, and a crossing window.
Object Properties
AutoCAD stores all existing objects and their properties in a database file called the drawing file. The name of the file is the drawing name that you assigned to the drawing and AutoCAD automatically assigns the extension .dwg. The drawing file stores all existing drawing objects along with the properties of each object in a database. The drawing objects that have been taught up to now are lines, circles, and arcs. Figure 13-1 displays the properties of a line.
When an existing drawing is opened, AutoCAD reads the drawing file and uses it to construct the objects from the database and displays the objects in the Graphic window. The REGEN command does the same thing for the current drawing.
The PROPERTIES command opens the Properties window. Properties of existing drawing objects can be modified using commands or they can be edited in the Properties window. It is faster and easier to edit the properties in the Properties window but not all of the properties can be edited using it. AutoCAD grays the boxes of the properties that cannot be changed in the window. See Figure 13-1.
Without entering a command, one or more objects in the current drawing can be selected using the pick box. The selected object(s) will highlight and the data will appear in the Properties window. If more then one object is selected, only the properties which are common to all of the selected objects will display. To unselect objects, press the Esc key.
Figure 13-2 shows the Properties window where only one line was selected by the user. This can be seen in the box located in the top left corner of the window. This box will display what object(s) is currently selected and its properties are displayed below in the window.
Linetypes
A linetype is a repeating pattern of dots, dashes, text, objects, or blank spaces displayed on a drawing object. Up to this point in the book, the default linetype Continuous has been assigned to all objects. See Figure 13-3. A continuous linetype displays solid. In this module, linetypes will be assigned ByLayer. The template files that you are using are only loaded with the Continuous linetype. Before a linetype can be assigned to a layer, it must be loaded into the current drawing’s database. All loaded linetypes will remain in the drawing file for future use. If required, they can be purged out of the drawing file. Purging is taught in Module 34.
AutoCAD Command: PROPERTIES
The PROPERTIES command opens the Properties window.
Shortcut: CTRL+1
AutoCAD Command: LTSCALE
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