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AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules
®

AutoCAD 2D
Module 13
Object Properties

Learning Outcomes:
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe object properties, linetype, linetype scale, and how to select objects using pick,
window, and crossing.
2. Describe and use the PROPERTIES, LTSCALE, CELTSCALE commands to find, and
set object properties and linetype scale.

Object Properties
AutoCAD stores all existing objects and their properties
in a database format file called the drawing file. The
name of the file is the name you have given the drawing
with the extension .DWG . In the drawing file, all
drawing objects are stored along with the properties of
each object in the form of a database. The objects you
have learned up to now are lines, circles and arcs.
Figure 13-1 displays the properties of a typical Line.
When you open an existing drawing, AutoCAD uses the
drawing file to reconstruct the objects from the database
and displays the objects in the graphic window.
You can change the properties of existing drawing
objects by using commands or a much better method is
to edit them with the Properties dialogue box. Not all
properties can be edited. AutoCAD grays the boxes or
properties that cannot be changed. See Figure 13-1.

Figure 13-1
Properties of a Line

The AutoCAD drawing file is the product of the AutoCAD user. It contains
all of the data that relates to your drawing. When you open an existing
drawing, AutoCAD uses the drawing file to construct your drawing in the
graphic window. As you work on your drawing and save it, AutoCAD
updates the drawing file. AutoCAD adds the extension .DWG to the name
you assigned to the drawing. If you named your drawing HOUSE PLAN, AutoCAD will
name the file HOUSE PLAN.DWG when it files it on the hard disk drive.

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AutoCAD Command: PROPERTIES

The PROPERTIES command opens the Properties
dialogue box .

Shortcut: CTRL 1

2004-2008

2000-2002

The PROPERTIES command opens the Properties dialogue box . Figure 13-2 shows how it
appears in 2004-2008 and Figure 13-3 shows how it appears in 2000-2002.
After you open it, you can select one or more objects in your drawing with the graphic cursor.
The selected object(s) will highlight and the data will appear in the dialogue box. If you select
more than one object, only
data which is common to
all objects will appear.
In Figures 13-2 and 13-3,
only one line was selected
as you can see in the box
located in the top left
corner of the dialogue box.
This box will display what
object(s) are currently
selected and its data is
displayed in the dialogue
box.
Figure 13-2 Figure 13-3
The Properties Dialogue Box The Properties Dialogue Box
For 2004-2008 For 2000-2002

Linetypes
A linetype is a repeating pattern of dots, dashes, text, objects, and blank spaces displayed in
an object. Until this point in the modules, you have been using the default linetype Continuous.
See Figure 13-4. A continuous line displays as a solid line. In this module, you will be shown
how to assign linetypes that are ByLayer. By default, when a drawing is created AutoCAD only
loads the linetype Continuous. Before you can assign a different linetype, you must load it into
your drawings database. All loaded linetypes will stay in the drawing file for future use. They
can be purged out of the drawing file if they are not in use. Purging is taught in Module 32.

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Figure 13-4
Continuous Linetype

AutoCAD Command: LTSCALE

The LTSCALE command is used to set the global linetype scale for the drawing.

Shortcut: LTS

AutoCAD System Variable: CELTSCALE

The CELTSCALE system variable is used to set the individual linetype scale for the objects that
are inserted after it is set.
Shortcut: none

The CELTSCALE multiplies its scale factor times the LTSCALE. Therefore,
if the LTSCALE is set to 5 and the CELTSCALE set to 2, the linetype scale
for that object will be 10. It is best to leave the LTSCALE set to 1 and only
set the CELTSCALE for each object. That way the CELTSCALE is
multiplied by 1 leaving it the same linetype scale that you have set for the object. Setting
the individual linetype scale (CELTSCALE) is best done using the Properties dialogue box.

Using Linetypes
Step 1 Start a new drawing using Module Temple A.
Step 2 Save and name the drawing AutoCAD 2D Workalong 13-1.

Step 3 Create the layers Hidden, Object1 and Object2 as shown Figure Step 3.

...continued on page 13-4 Figure Step 3

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Using Linetypes - Continued

Step 4 Click layer Hidden to select it. Left click on the linetype Continuous as shown in
Figure Step 4. This will open the Select Linetype dialogue box.

Figure Step 4

Step 5 Click the Load button as shown in Figure Step 5A. This will
open the Load or Reload Linetypes dialogue box as shown in
Figure Step 5B.
Figure Step 5A

Step 6 In the File box , Figure

Step 6, you will see one of the
following linetype files They are
supplied in AutoCAD or AutoCAD
LT software.
For AutoCAD:
ACAD.LIN - AutoCAD English
ACADISO.LIN - AutoCAD Metric
For AutoCAD LT:
ACLT.LIN - AutoCAD LT English
ACLTISO.LIN - AutoCAD LT Metric

Figure Step 6 Figure Step 5B

...continued on page 13-5

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Using Linetypes - Continued

Step 7 Scroll down until you
find the linetype DASHDOT.
Click it to select it as shown in
Figure Step 7.

Figure Step 7

Step 8 While holding down the

CTRL key, scroll down until you
find the linetypes HIDDEN and
PHANTOM2 and select them.
They will highlight as shown in
Figure Step 8. You must hold the
CTRL key down to select more
then one linetype at a time.

Step 9 Click OK.

Figure Step 8

Step 10 The three linetypes

you loaded will now appear
in the Select Linetype
dialogue box as shown in
Figure Step 10. What you
have done is loaded those
three linetype definitions
into your drawing. Click OK
to close the dialogue box. Figure Step 10

...continued on page 13-6

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Using Linetypes - Continued

Step 11 In the Layer

Property Managers dialogue
box, click the linetype
Continuous for the layer
Hidden as shown in Figure
Step 11. This will open the
Select Linetype dialogue
box. Figure Step 11

Step 12 In the Select

Linetype dialogue box,
select the linetype HIDDEN
as shown in Figure Step
12.

Figure Step 12

Step 13 You should now see the linetype

HIDDEN for the layer Hidden as shown in
Figure Step 13 . Now change the linetype to
DASHDOT for layer Object1 and
PHANTOM2 for layer Object2 as shown in
Figure Step 13.
Figure Step 13

Step 14 Change the colors of the layers to

match Figure Step 14.

...continued on page 13-7 Figure Step 14

Understanding and using object properties to edit and inquire about the
drawing objects is very important to the drawing speed of the AutoCAD
operator. Whenever possible, use the Properties dialogue box to edit
objects rather than using AutoCAD commands.

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Using Linetypes - Continued

Step 15 On the drawing, draw three 2 unit diameter circles on
layer 0. Take a guess at the location of the centers of the
circles to approximately match Figure Step 15.

Figure Step 15
Figure Step 16

Step 16 Open the Properties

dialogue box. Select the top
left circle. In the Properties
dialogue box, change it to layer
Hidden as shown in Figure
Step 16.

Step 17 Select the center

circle. In the Properties
dialogue box, change it to layer
Object1 as shown in Figure Figure Step 17
Step 17.

Figure Step 18A

Step 18 Select the bottom right circle. In the Properties
dialogue box, change it to layer Object2 as shown in Figure
Step 18A. You drawing should now appear as shown in
Figure Step 18B.

...continued on page 13-8 Figure Step 18B

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Using Linetypes - Continued

Step 19 Ensure the LTSCALE is set to 1. Enter the following command:
Command: LTSCALE
Enter new linetype scale factor <1.0000>:
Command:
(If it is not set to 1, enter 1 and press
enter.)

Select the top left circle. In the

Properties dialogue box, change
the Linetype scale to 2 as shown in
Figure Step 19.
(This is the CELTSCALE)

Figure Step 19

Step 20 Select the center circle.

In the Properties dialogue box,
change the Linetype scale to 0.5
as shown in Figure Step 20.
Figure Step 20

Figure Step 21A

Step 21 Select the bottom right circle. In the Properties

dialogue box, change the Linetype scale to 5 as shown in
Figure Step 21A. Your drawing should now appear as
shown in Figure Step 21B.

Step 22 Save and close the drawing.

Figure Step 21B

The Properties dialogue box will open automatically when you double click
an object. This will save you one step if you want to edit or inquire about
the object's properties.

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Selecting Objects
After entering any command that requires you to select one or more objects, AutoCAD will
prompt you with the Select Object prompt To draw faster, it is important for you to be able to
select objects in the most time efficient method since many commands require object selection.
There are many methods of selecting objects and you will be introduced to all of them as you
work your way through the modules. In this module, you will learn the pick, window, and cross
methods.

Method of Selecting Objects

Method Abb. Description Display
pick N/A Allows you to pick one object at a time
using the graphic cursor. The graphic
cursor will display as the pickbox. Pick is
the default. 1
3
2

window W Selects all the objects that are totally 1

inside a window defined by two user
picked corners. A window will always
appear with a solid line forming the box.
If you select the two points, start from left
to right. A window will automatically be
2
used.

cross C Selects all the objects that are totally

inside and the ones that cross a window 1
defined by two user picked corners. A
crossing window will always have a
dashed line forming the box. If you
select from right to left, a crossing 2
window will automatically be used.

It is sometimes
easier to load all
the linetypes into
a drawing rather
then selecting them individually.
To do this, select any linetype
and then press CTRL-A. This
will select all linetypes.

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It is very important to understand how objects are selected. If you use the
pick method to select the objects using the graphic cursor, AutoCAD will
select only one object, even though two objects are exactly located at the
same location. If the objects are selected using either the window or cross
window method, AutoCAD will select all of the objects even if they are
exactly at the same location.

Geometry Lesson
Compound Fillet
A compound fillet is two or more tangent
arcs used to create a continuous curve.
Study Figure 13-5. Note the small dashed
line. It is there to indicate to you that the
3R arc is tangent to the line and small
circle as shown in Step 1. The 1R tangent
arc is then inserted tangent to 3R arc and
the large circle as shown in Step 2. Since
they are tangent arcs, you would use the
FILLET command twice to draw the Figure 13-5
compound fillet.

Step 1 Step 2

The Key Principles in Module 13

1. AutoCAD stores all existing objects and their properties in a database format file called
the drawing file. The name of the file is the name you have assigned the drawing with
the extension .DWG .
2. A linetype is a repeating pattern of dots, dashes, text, objects, and blank spaces
displayed on the object. It is an appearance only and does not change the object.
3. The individual linetype scale (CELTSCALE) multiplies the scale factor it is set to times
the existing factor of the global linetype scale (LTSCALE). It is best to leave the
LTSCALE to 1.
4. If you use the pick method to select the objects using the graphic cursor, AutoCAD will
select only one object, even though two objects are exactly located at the same location.
If the objects are selected using either the window or cross window method, AutoCAD will
select all of the objects even if they are exactly at the same location.

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Lab Exercise 13-1 Time Allowed: 30 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-1 Module Template B Inches N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all < ByLayer < unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Construction Objects Construction 253 Continuous N/A
All Objects Object Red Continuous N/A
Instructions:
1. Setup the layers using the Layering Scheme shown above.
2. Draw the object shown below using the layering scheme above.
3. Draw all construction objects on layer Construction.
4. Check your drawing with the key.
5 If you have any errors, correct your drawing.
6. Turn layer Key off and freeze layer Construction.
7. Save and close the drawing.
. Completed
Drawing

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Construction Techniques
The following steps are the construction technique suggested by the author to help you learn
how to construct objects using AutoCAD. It is only the suggested method and if you can
complete the drawing accurately using a different construct technique, that is what is important.
You may want to compare your construction technique with the authors.

Construction Hints
Do your best to complete the lab exercise drawing without using the following hint(s). If you get stuck and
can't complete it on your own, use the following hint(s) to help you.

Hint 1

Before you can insert the fillets on the left side of the object, you must insert two horizontal
lines from the end of the arc. These can be any length. The FILLET command will
automatically trim them. See Figure Hint 1.

Figure Hint 1

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Lab Exercise 13-2 Time Allowed: 15 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-2 N/A Inches N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all < ByLayer < unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Construction Objects Construction 253 Continuous N/A
Outline of Object Outline Red Phantom 2 N/A
Full Circles Circle Green Border 2 N/A
The Slot Slot Blue Dashed 2 N/A
Instructions:
1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-1 that you just completed in
the last lab exercise. If you have not completed Lab , do it before
continuing you on with this lab exercise.
2. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name
AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-2.
3. Change the layers on the drawing to match the layering scheme
shown above.
4. Using the Properties dialogue box, change the layers of the objects
as indicated in the Layering Scheme. Completed
5. Change the linetype scale of each object to match the figure shown Drawing
below. You will have to guess at the number. Do your best to
match it as closely as you can by eye.

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Lab Exercise 13-3 Time Allowed: 30 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-3 Module Template A3 Millimeters N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all < ByLayer < unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Construction Objects Construction 253 Continuous N/A
All Objects Object Red Continuous N/A
Instructions:
1. Setup the layers using the Layering Scheme shown above.
2. Draw the object shown below using the layering scheme above.
3. Draw all construction objects on layer Construction.
4. Check your drawing with the key.
5 If you have any errors, correct your drawing.
6. Turn layer Key off and freeze layer Construction.
7. Save and close the drawing.

Completed
Drawing

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Construction Techniques
The following steps are the construction technique suggested by the author to help you learn
how to construct objects using AutoCAD. It is only the suggested method and if you can
complete the drawing accurately using a different construct technique, that is what is important.
You may want to compare your construction technique with the authors.

Construction Hints
Do your best to complete the lab exercise drawing without using the following hint(s). If you get stuck and
can't complete it on your own, use the following hint(s) to help you.

Hint 1
There are two compound fillets in this object. See Page 13-10. First insert a fillet from the
large circles on the left side of the object to medium circle on the right side. See Figure Hint 1
below.

Step 1 Step 2
Figure Hint 1

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Lab Exercise 13-4 Time Allowed: 15 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-4 N/A Millimeters N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all < ByLayer < unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
All Circles Circle Blue Dashed N/A
All Arcs Arc Green Phantom N/A
Instructions:
1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 13-3 that you just completed in the
last lab exercise. If you have not completed Lab , do it before continuing
you on with this lab exercise.
2. Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name AutoCAD
2D Lab 13-4.
3. Change the layers on the drawing to match the layering scheme shown
above.
4. Using the Properties dialogue box, change the layers of the objects as
indicated in the Layering Scheme. Completed
5. Change the linetype scale of each object to match the figure shown Drawing
below. You will have to guess at the number. Do your best to match it
as closely as you can by eye.

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