Tutorial Contents
    Introduction (Part I)
    Format of the DCADWIN.LIN file (Part II)
    Format, cont. (Part III)
    Format, cont. (Part IV)
    Creating custom lines (Part V)
    Creating complex custom lines (Part VI)

Part I

Introduction

In addition to the four built-in line types, DataCAD supports up to 175 user-defined line types. The built-in lines are Solid, Dotted, Dashed and Dot-Dash. You cannot change or remove the definitions of these 4 lines.

DataCAD ships with a number of custom line types. You can edit, remove or rearrange the order of these lines. The custom lines are stored in a file named DCADWIN.LIN in your support subdirectory (NOTE: for this tutorial we will assume DataCAD for Windows standard filenames. DOS filenames are similar but lack the WIN in the name for example DCAD.LIN.) Each individual line type is listed in this one file. If the DCADWIN.LIN file is not in your support subdirectory you will only see the four built-in line types in the line type menu. If DataCAD finds more than 50 user-defined line types in this file it will give an error message at startup but will otherwise work fine.

The DCADWIN.LIN file is an ASCII text file and can be edited by any editor that supports ASCII text. While you can use a word processor such as Microsoft word to edit these files it is best to use an editor designed specifically for editing ASCII text files. A word processor will add formatting and other items that will render your files unreadable by DataCAD. If you don't have a favorite text editor try Notepad or Edit, both of which are available with all flavors of Windows, or try one of the editors we recommend.

Remember two things when writing line types. First DataCAD will ignore all "whitespace" in the LIN file, so feel free to adjust the space between your text so that it is legible to you. Next remember that DataCAD loads line types when it is started so if you are editing your DCADWIN.LIN file and don't see your changes on screen, close DataCAD and restart it to reload the line types.

Continue with Part II