Short Answer

Yes — in AutoCAD, you can create your own custom linetypes, including linetypes with text, by defining them in a LIN file and loading them with LINETYPE. This is the most common professional method because it is reusable and standards-friendly. Limitation: text-based linetypes can break or display poorly if scale settings are wrong.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Text in custom linetypes depends on the referenced text style and linetype scale behavior. If the text style is missing, renamed, or uses a different font on another machine, the linetype may load incorrectly or show blank segments.

How to Create a custom linetype with Text

• Command: LINETYPE

• Shortcut: LT

• Quick Steps:

  1. Open a text editor and create or edit a .lin file with a linetype definition that includes text, then save it in a trusted support path.
  2. In AutoCAD, go to Ribbon > Home tab > Properties panel > Linetype > Other, then run LINETYPE and choose Load.
  3. Select your custom linetype from the LIN file, assign it to a layer or object, and adjust LTSCALE if the text or pattern spacing looks wrong.

Variables & Settings

• System Variable: LTSCALE (Default: 1.0)

• Expert Setting: This controls the global scale for all non-continuous linetypes. If your custom text linetype looks too dense, too sparse, or unreadable, adjust LTSCALE first before editing the LIN definition.

Why it Fails

• Cause 1 (Geometry): The linetype pattern is too small or too complex for the actual object length, so the text does not repeat or fit properly.
• Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The object or layer may use the wrong linetype, or the correct linetype is assigned but the layer is locked and standard updates are missed.
• Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The LIN definition references a text style that does not exist in the drawing, so AutoCAD cannot display the text segment correctly.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

• Quick Fix: Run LINETYPE, reload the custom linetype, then set LTSCALE and REGEN to refresh the display.
• Manager’s Verdict: Use custom text linetypes for clear drafting standards like GAS, WATER, or FENCE lines, but avoid overcomplicated definitions for shared projects unless the LIN file and text styles are managed company-wide.

FAQ

Can I make a linetype with shapes instead of text?

Yes, AutoCAD supports custom linetypes with shapes using SHX-based definitions.

Can I create custom linetypes without editing a LIN file?

Not for true text-based production linetypes; editing or creating a LIN file is the standard method.

Why does my custom linetype look different in another drawing?

Usually the linetype scale, text style, or support file path is different in that drawing.

.