Controlling the Appearance of Linetypes in Model and Paper Space

Overview

FireCAD assigns custom linetypes to wirepath polylines so that cable and wire type can be identified at a glance. The letters embedded in each linetype (for example, the "F" on a fire alarm cable) depend on AutoCAD's linetype scaling settings. When these scales are not set correctly, the letters do not render and the polyline appears as a plain dashed line.

This article covers the two AutoCAD system variables that control linetype display: MSLTSCALE (model space) and PSLTSCALE (paper space).

Controlling Linetype Display in Model Space

When MSLTSCALE is set incorrectly, linetype lettering does not show in model space:

Linetype letters missing in model space

To fix this:

  1. Type MSLTSCALE at the command line and set the value to 0.
  2. Run REGEN or REGENALL to refresh the display.

Setting MSLTSCALE to 0

The lettering is now visible:

Linetype letters visible after fix

Controlling Linetype Display in Paper Space

The same issue can occur in paper space viewports when PSLTSCALE is not set correctly:

Linetype letters missing in paper space

To fix this:

  1. Activate the paper space viewport, type PSLTSCALE at the command line, and set the value to 0.
  2. Run REGENALL to refresh all viewports.

Accessing PSLTSCALE

Setting PSLTSCALE to 0

Running REGENALL

The lettering is now visible in paper space:

Linetype letters visible in paper space after fix

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