Short description
๐งต๐ค Create and apply AutoCAD linetypes with embedded text characters, layer creation, TrueColor selection, lineweight, transparency, CELTSCALE, THICKNESS, and multi-layer assignment.
Command:
๐ Primary command: MAKELT2
๐งต Alias helper: makelt2 calls c:makelt2.
๐ช Dialog title: Make Linetype With Embedded Characters.
๐๏ธ Main action button: Create Linetype.
Description:
๐งต LinetypeWithCharacters2 is an AutoCAD AutoLISP utility for creating or redefining custom linetypes that contain embedded text characters.
๐ค The tool builds a temporary LIN definition using the selected text string, text style, dash pattern, text height, text gap, and vertical offset, then loads the linetype through the AutoCAD command workflow.
๐จ The dialog also includes a layer creation and update section with ACI, RGB, Color Book input, Pick color, lineweight, transparency from 0 to 90, CELTSCALE, THICKNESS, and optional Set Current logic.
๐ Users can apply the generated linetype to one target layer or multiple selected layers from a filtered layer list, making the tool useful for CAD standards, utility linework, Civil 3D drafting, signage lines, fence lines, cable routes, and annotation-based linetypes.
Helper function: (if any)โ
๐งฉ MK2:_writeDCL writes the embedded DCL dialog to a unique temporary file.
๐งน MK2:_sanitize_ltname removes invalid AutoCAD linetype name characters.
๐๏ธ MK2:_showlt and MK2:_ltdesc generate the linetype preview text shown in the dialog status line.
๐ rjp-txtwdth calculates text width so the embedded text segment can be positioned correctly inside the LIN definition.
๐จ MK2:_pickColorTC opens AutoCAD color selection with TrueColor support and ACI fallback.
๐ท๏ธ MK2:_create_layer_core creates or updates layer properties using DXF color, lineweight, transparency, CELTSCALE, THICKNESS, and CLAYER settings.
๐พ MK2:_readreg and MK2:_writereg store reusable settings under HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
Functionalities:
๐ Launches a DCL-based linetype builder with the MAKELT2 command.
๐ค Creates or redefines AutoCAD linetypes with embedded text strings.
๐ Controls dash length, dash pattern, text height, text gap, vertical offset, and text style.
โจ Provides a Funky Chars dropdown for inserting special characters into the linetype text string.
๐จ Creates or updates layers with ACI, RGB, or Color Book color values.
๐ฑ๏ธ Supports Pick color using AutoCAD TrueColor or Color Index dialogs.
๐ Applies layer lineweight from a predefined lineweight list.
๐ฆ Applies transparency values from 0 to 90.
โ๏ธ Sets CELTSCALE and THICKNESS defaults for the created layer workflow.
๐ Optionally sets the created layer as the current layer.
๐ Applies the generated linetype to one layer or multiple selected layers.
๐ Includes layer filtering and horizontal scroll handling for long layer names.
๐พ Remembers common linetype and layer defaults in the Windows registry.
๐ Regenerates the drawing after successful linetype assignment.
Result:
โ The result is a custom AutoCAD linetype loaded into the drawing and assigned to the chosen layer or layers.
โ The selected layer can also be created or updated with color, lineweight, transparency, CELTSCALE, THICKNESS, and current-layer settings.
โ The workflow reduces manual LIN file editing and makes it faster to create production-ready text-based linetypes for CAD and Civil 3D drawings.
Images, animations etc.
XAML code:
๏ปฟ<ResourceDictionary
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:src="clr-namespace:Autodesk.Windows;assembly=AdWindows">
<src:RibbonToolTip x:Key="LinetypeWithCharacters2">
<src:RibbonToolTip.ExpandedContent>
<StackPanel>
<TextBlock Background="AntiqueWhite" TextAlignment="Left">
<Bold>Function Syntax: MAKELT2</Bold>
<LineBreak/>
<Bold>Version: 1.0 Date: 20.06.2026 6:38:50PM</Bold>
<LineBreak/>
<Hyperlink>AI+https://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=47058.0</Hyperlink>
<LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">Function Syntax: LinetypeWithCharacters2</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">Version: 1.0</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">๐งต SEO Friendly Description</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งต LinetypeWithCharacters2 is an AutoCAD AutoLISP utility for creating custom linetypes with embedded text characters directly from a DCL dialog.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="LimeGreen">๐ค It is useful for CAD standards, Civil 3D drafting, utility linework, cable routes, drainage lines, fence lines, signal routes, and annotation-based linetype production.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐จ The tool also creates or updates layers with color, lineweight, transparency, CELTSCALE, THICKNESS, and current-layer settings.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ The final linetype can be applied to one target layer or multiple selected layers from a filtered layer list.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">๐ Main Command</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ช Run </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">MAKELT2</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> in the AutoCAD command line to open the </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Make Linetype With Embedded Characters</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> dialog.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งต The helper function </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">makelt2</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> calls the same command workflow.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">๐งฐ Dialog Workflow</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ท๏ธ Enter a new layer name or update an existing layer.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐จ Define layer color using </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">ACI</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White">, </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">RGB</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White">, or </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Color Book</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> values.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ฑ๏ธ Use </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">Pick...</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> to select a color from the AutoCAD TrueColor or Color Index dialog.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Select lineweight, transparency, linetype scale, and thickness for the target layer workflow.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Enable </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Set as current layer</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> when the created or updated layer should become the active drawing layer.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">๐งต Linetype Options</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ค Define the linetype name, linetype description, embedded text string, dash length, text height, and text gap.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">โ๏ธ Choose the text vertical offset to control how the embedded text sits inside the linetype pattern.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐๏ธ Select the AutoCAD text style used by the embedded linetype text segment.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Select the dash type used to generate the dash pattern around the text.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">โจ Use the </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">Funky Chars</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> dropdown to insert special characters into the linetype text string.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">โ๏ธ Functionalities</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Create text-based linetypes</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - generates AutoCAD linetypes with embedded characters and readable labels.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Redefine existing linetypes</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - updates an existing linetype name when the same definition already exists.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งน </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Sanitize linetype names</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - removes invalid characters before the LIN definition is created.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Apply to multiple layers</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - assigns the generated linetype to selected layers from the filtered layer list.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Layer filtering</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - filters layer names and supports long names with horizontal scroll logic.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐จ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Advanced layer properties</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - supports ACI, RGB, Color Book, lineweight, transparency, CELTSCALE, and THICKNESS.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐พ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Registry memory</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - stores reusable defaults for faster repeated linetype creation.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งฉ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="LimeGreen">Temporary DCL and LIN generation</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> - writes temporary support files, loads the linetype, then cleans up automatically.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">๐ Helper Functions</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ช </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">MK2:_writeDCL</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> creates the embedded dialog dynamically.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐งน </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">MK2:_sanitize_ltname</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> cleans invalid linetype characters.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐๏ธ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">MK2:_showlt</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> builds the linetype preview message.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">rjp-txtwdth</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> measures text width for correct embedded-text placement.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐จ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">MK2:_pickColorTC</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> handles AutoCAD TrueColor and Color Index selection.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ท๏ธ </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">MK2:_create_layer_core</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> creates or updates layer records and layer properties.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DodgerBlue">โ
Result</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">โ
The result is a production-ready AutoCAD linetype containing embedded text characters, loaded into the drawing and assigned to the chosen layer or layers.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="LimeGreen">โ
The tool reduces manual LIN file editing and improves CAD productivity when creating repeated Civil 3D, utility, cable, fence, drainage, signal, and annotation linetypes.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Bold><Run Foreground="DarkRed">โ ๏ธ Important Notes</Run></Bold><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">โ ๏ธ The routine creates a temporary LIN file and loads it using the AutoCAD </Run><Bold><Run Foreground="Orange">-LINETYPE</Run></Bold><Run Foreground="White"> command workflow.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">โ ๏ธ Existing linetype names can be redefined, so verify the linetype name before applying it to project layers.</Run><LineBreak/>
<Run Foreground="White">๐ Layer linetype selection is intentionally handled by the linetype workflow, not by a separate layer linetype field.</Run><LineBreak/>
</TextBlock>
<Grid>
<Image Source="Image_000.png" Stretch="Uniform"/>
</Grid>
</StackPanel>
</src:RibbonToolTip.ExpandedContent>
</src:RibbonToolTip>
</ResourceDictionary>