Line Format

You can specify the color, thickness, and style in drawings for:

• Formats for new sketch entities

• Entities in layers

• Properties of existing edges and sketch entities

You can specify the color for notes and other annotations in either layers or with the Line Color tool.

The settings for the line formats are either:

• globally controlled - set in layers

• explicitly controlled - set by the Line Format tools

When you add new sketch entities to a drawing, the line format follows the Layer settings. If no layer is active, the line format follows the system settings.

For new sketch entities and annotations, the line format tool settings override layer specifications and system settings. Another method of setting edge properties for assembly components in drawings is with Component Line Font.

Format tools

The tools on the Line Format toolbar change the following formats.

• Layer Properties. Set layer properties (Color, Thickness, and Style), move entities into layers, and select a layer for new entities.

• Line Color. Choose a color from the palette, or select Default. You can toggle between the specified color and the system default colors with the Color Display Mode tool (below).

• Line Thickness. Choose a thickness or Default from the menu. As you move the pointer over the menu, the thickness name (Thin, Normal, Thick, and so on) is displayed in the Status Bar. Corresponding line weights for printing are defined in File, Print, Line Weights.

• Line Style. Choose a style or Default from the menu. You can also create your own line styles.

• Hide Edge. Hides edges in a drawing.

• Show Edge. Shows edges in a drawing.

• Color Display Mode. Click this tool to toggle between aesthetic colors (colors chosen in layers or with Line Color) and the system status colors (fully defined, under defined, and so on). Sketch endpoints and dangling dimensions are always in the system status color.

To specify the format for new sketch entities in the current and future drawings:

1. Click a tool on the Line Format toolbar and select a format from the menu.

2. Sketch entities of any type (lines, centerlines, circles, and so on) that you add to the drawing use the specified formats, until you select a different format.

To change the format of an existing edge or sketch entity:

1. Select the edge or sketch entity you want to change. To select more than one entity at a time, hold Ctrl as you select.

2. Click a tool on the Line Format toolbar and select a format from the menu.

    The new format is applied to the selected entities.

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