AutoCAD Dashed Line LISP: Set Objects to HIDDEN in One Step

Sets the selected objects to the dashed HIDDEN linetype, loading it if needed.

LTHIDDEN is an AutoCAD dashed line LISP tool. Select objects, press Enter, and their linetype becomes HIDDEN. Normally you would load the linetype with LINETYPE first and then assign it in the Properties palette; LTHIDDEN does both in one step.

If the drawing does not contain the HIDDEN linetype yet, the tool loads it from acadiso.lin when the drawing is metric (MEASUREMENT = 1) or from acad.lin otherwise. If loading fails, it leaves the objects unchanged and says so on the command line.

If the dashes do not show, the linetype scale usually does not suit the drawing; adjust LTSCALE. It works in full AutoCAD and in GstarCAD, and one U undoes the change.

How to use it

1. Load lthidden.lsp with APPLOAD.
2. Type LTHIDDEN at the command line.
3. Select the objects to make dashed and press Enter.
4. If the dashes are not visible, adjust LTSCALE up or down.

Notes and tips

• The tool only assigns HIDDEN; there is no option to choose another dashed type such as DASHED or HIDDEN2.
• If HIDDEN is not in the drawing and acad.lin or acadiso.lin cannot be found on the support path, it cannot be loaded. Load HIDDEN once with LINETYPE, then run the tool again.
• Linetypes show on lines, polylines, arcs, circles and similar objects; they have no visible effect on text.
• Objects on locked layers are not changed; unlock the layer first.

Frequently asked questions