AutoCAD LTSCALE: Global Linetype Scale Explained

Dashed, dotted, hidden, and center lines do not always display correctly when they are assigned in AutoCAD. A dashed line may look continuous, its gaps may be too small, or the pattern may appear correct in model space but change inside a layout viewport.

The first setting to understand is LTSCALE.

LTSCALE controls the global scale of linetype patterns in the current drawing. It changes the displayed size of dashes, dots, gaps, text, and shapes used in non-continuous linetypes. It does not change the length or geometry of the objects.

A correct LTSCALE configuration helps maintain consistent hidden lines, centerlines, property lines, utility lines, fence lines, and other CAD linetypes across model space, layouts, viewports, and plotted sheets.

What Is LTSCALE in AutoCAD?

LTSCALE is the AutoCAD system variable that sets the global linetype scale factor for a drawing.

Every non-continuous linetype contains a repeating pattern. Depending on the definition, that pattern may include:

Dashes
Gaps
Dots
Text
Symbols
SHX shapes

The lengths and spacing of these elements are stored in the linetype definition. LTSCALE applies a global multiplier to that pattern when AutoCAD displays it.

For example, suppose a simple linetype contains:

Dash length: 0.50 drawing units
Gap length: 0.25 drawing units

With:

LTSCALE = 1

AutoCAD uses the original pattern dimensions.

With:

LTSCALE = 2

the displayed pattern becomes twice as large:

Dash length: 1.00 drawing unit
Gap length: 0.50 drawing unit

With:

LTSCALE = 0.5

the displayed pattern becomes half as large:

Dash length: 0.25 drawing unit
Gap length: 0.125 drawing unit

LTSCALE does not edit the original .LIN file. It only changes how loaded linetypes appear in the current DWG drawing.

The value must be greater than zero. A value of 1 is the standard neutral starting point. (Autodesk Aide)

Why Is LTSCALE Called a Global Scale Factor?

LTSCALE is a global setting because it affects applicable linetypes throughout the drawing.

When you change it, AutoCAD changes the displayed pattern size of existing and newly created objects that use non-continuous linetypes.

This may include:

Lines
Arcs
Circles
Polylines
Block geometry
Xref geometry
Dimension components
Centerline objects

However, LTSCALE is not the only setting involved in linetype display.

The final appearance may also depend on:

CELTSCALE
The object’s Linetype Scale property
MSLTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE
PLINEGEN
Drawing units
The loaded .LIN definition
Values embedded in complex linetypes

LTSCALE provides the drawing-wide base scale. Other settings may multiply or modify that base value.

How LTSCALE Changes a Linetype Pattern

Increasing or decreasing LTSCALE changes the size of the entire repeating pattern.

Increasing LTSCALE

A larger LTSCALE value creates:

Longer dashes
Larger gaps
Fewer pattern repetitions
Greater spacing between text or symbols
Larger overall complex-linetype patterns

For example:

LTSCALE = 10

creates a pattern ten times larger than:

LTSCALE = 1

Increasing LTSCALE is useful when a pattern is too compressed. However, an excessively large value may make a dashed line appear continuous because the object may not be long enough to display a complete dash-and-gap sequence.

Decreasing LTSCALE

A smaller LTSCALE value creates:

Shorter dashes
Smaller gaps
More pattern repetitions
More closely spaced dots
More compact text and symbols

For example:

LTSCALE = 0.1

creates a pattern one-tenth the size of the original definition.

If the value is too small, the dashes and gaps may become so dense that the line looks continuous on screen or in print.

Quick LTSCALE Comparison

LTSCALE value	Pattern appearance	Typical result
0.1	Very small and compressed	Many short dashes
0.5	Smaller than the original pattern	More frequent repetitions
1	Original definition scale	Neutral starting value
2	Twice the original size	Longer dashes and gaps
10	Strongly enlarged	Fewer pattern repetitions
100	Extremely large	Used only in some large-unit drawings

There is no universal LTSCALE value that works for every drawing. The correct setting depends on the drawing units, linetype definition, object dimensions, viewport configuration, and final plotting scale.

The Mathematics Behind Global Linetype Scale

A simplified formula is:

Displayed pattern size = Linetype definition × LTSCALE × Object Linetype Scale

The display may then be affected by MSLTSCALE, PSLTSCALE, CANOSCALE, and viewport behavior.

Suppose a dashed linetype contains:

Dash = 0.50
Gap = 0.25

The basic displayed dimensions are:

LTSCALE	Displayed dash	Displayed gap
0.5	0.25	0.125
1	0.50	0.25
2	1.00	0.50
10	5.00	2.50

These values assume that the object’s Linetype Scale property is set to 1 and that no additional viewport or annotation scaling changes the display.

Example with an Object-Level Scale

Suppose:

LTSCALE = 10
Object Linetype Scale = 0.5

The effective base scale for that object is:

10 × 0.5 = 5

This is why two objects using the same named linetype can display different dash lengths. One of the objects may have an individual scale override.

How to Change LTSCALE in AutoCAD

There are three common ways to change the global linetype scale.

Method 1: Use the LTSCALE Command

Type:

LTSCALE

Press Enter.
Enter a positive value, such as:

Press Enter again.

After changing the value, run:

REGEN

or:

REGENALL

if the display does not update correctly.

Method 2: Use Linetype Manager

Open Linetype Manager.
Click Show Details.
Locate Global Scale Factor.
Enter the required value.
Confirm the change.

The Global Scale Factor field corresponds to LTSCALE.

Method 3: Use SETVAR

LTSCALE can also be changed with SETVAR:

SETVAR
LTSCALE
1

This method is useful in:

AutoCAD scripts
AutoLISP routines
Drawing setup procedures
CAD standards tools
Batch-processing workflows

Because LTSCALE is stored in the drawing, its standard value can also be saved in a company .DWT template.

Choosing the Correct LTSCALE Value

The correct value must be selected according to the drawing environment. A value that works in one DWG file may be unsuitable in another.

Start with LTSCALE = 1

For a new or unfamiliar drawing, begin with:

LTSCALE = 1

This provides a neutral starting point before other scale factors are considered.

Also verify that the test object has:

Object Linetype Scale = 1

Do not immediately use extreme values. First confirm the units and the source of the linetype definition.

Metric and Imperial Linetype Definitions

AutoCAD includes separate standard linetype files for imperial and metric drawings:

acad.lin

for imperial definitions, and:

acadiso.lin

for metric definitions. Autodesk recommends avoiding a mixture of imperial and metric definitions because their pattern dimensions use different scaling conventions. (Autodesk Aide)

The Role of MEASUREMENT

The MEASUREMENT system variable identifies whether the current drawing uses imperial or metric conventions for several default pattern-loading operations.

Its values are:

MEASUREMENT = 0

for imperial settings, and:

MEASUREMENT = 1

for metric settings.

This variable influences which standard linetype and hatch-pattern files AutoCAD proposes or uses by default:

MEASUREMENT value	Unit convention	Standard linetype file
0	Imperial	`acad.lin`
1	Metric	`acadiso.lin`

In AutoCAD LT, the corresponding files are generally:

acadlt.lin
acadltiso.lin

The drawing units and MEASUREMENT value should follow the same project convention. A metric drawing with imperial linetype definitions may require unusual LTSCALE values and produce inconsistent results.

Metric Drawings

Metric drawings may be created in:

Millimeters
Centimeters
Meters
Kilometers

A pattern length of 12 drawing units means:

12 millimeters in a millimeter-based drawing
12 meters in a meter-based drawing

This is why there is no single recommended LTSCALE value for every metric drawing.

Depending on the units and the .LIN file, useful test values may include:

LTSCALE = 1
LTSCALE = 10
LTSCALE = 100

The correct value is the one that produces a clear and consistent pattern at the final plotted scale.

Imperial Drawings

Imperial drawings may use:

Decimal inches
Architectural feet and inches
Engineering feet
Survey feet

A drawing created in inches may require a different LTSCALE from a drawing created in feet, even if both use the same named linetype.

Always measure a known object before deciding that the current LTSCALE value is incorrect.

LTSCALE, CELTSCALE, and Object Linetype Scale

These three settings are related, but they do not have the same scope.

LTSCALE: Global Drawing Control

LTSCALE affects the entire drawing.

Use it when:

All dashed lines appear too small
All centerlines appear too large
An imported drawing uses an unsuitable global scale
A project template requires a standard base value

CELTSCALE: Scale Assigned to New Objects

CELTSCALE controls the current linetype scale assigned to newly created objects.

It works relative to LTSCALE.

For example:

LTSCALE = 0.5
CELTSCALE = 2

The resulting base scale for newly created objects is:

0.5 × 2 = 1

CELTSCALE does not normally correct objects that already exist. It controls the object-level scale assigned to geometry created afterward.

Object Linetype Scale: Individual Override

Each applicable object has a Linetype Scale property in the Properties palette.

To inspect it:

Select the object.
Open Properties.
Locate Linetype Scale.
Check or modify the value.

An object value of:

0.25

creates a pattern four times smaller than an otherwise identical object with:

Comparison Table

Setting	Scope	Main purpose
LTSCALE	Entire drawing	Controls the global pattern size
CELTSCALE	Newly created objects	Sets their initial object scale
Object Linetype Scale	Selected objects	Provides an individual override
MSLTSCALE	Model space	Relates display to annotation scale
PSLTSCALE	Layout viewports	Controls paper-space consistency
CANOSCALE	Current drawing context	Stores the current annotation scale

CAD Standards: Use ByLayer and Keep Object Scale at 1

In a managed CAD environment, objects should normally use:

Linetype = ByLayer
Linetype Scale = 1

The layer should control the linetype, while the drawing-wide display should be managed with:

LTSCALE
MSLTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE

This approach produces drawings that are easier to audit, modify, exchange, and standardize.

Changing the object scale individually should remain an exception. It may be justified for a short line, a special detail, or an isolated complex linetype, but widespread object-level overrides make the drawing difficult to control.

A recommended standards hierarchy is:

Assign the correct linetype to the layer.
Set objects to ByLayer.
Keep the object Linetype Scale at 1.
Set the global pattern size with LTSCALE.
Control model-space and layout behavior with MSLTSCALE and PSLTSCALE.
Use object overrides only when necessary.

LTSCALE in Model Space

LTSCALE remains the base global factor when linetypes are displayed in model space.

However, the final appearance can also depend on MSLTSCALE and the current annotation scale.

How MSLTSCALE Works

MSLTSCALE determines whether linetypes shown on the Model tab are scaled according to the current annotation scale.

With:

MSLTSCALE = 0

the current annotation scale does not apply its model-space linetype adjustment.

With:

MSLTSCALE = 1

model-space linetype display is adjusted according to the current annotation scale.

The Role of CANOSCALE

The technical name of the current annotation-scale setting is:

CANOSCALE

CANOSCALE stores the name of the current annotation scale, such as:

1:1
1:20
1:50
1:100

When:

MSLTSCALE = 1

changing CANOSCALE can change the visible linetype pattern on the Model tab, even though LTSCALE and the object properties remain unchanged.

The model-space result may therefore depend on:

LTSCALE
Object Linetype Scale
MSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE
The linetype definition
Drawing regeneration

When a linetype changes after selecting another annotation scale, check both MSLTSCALE and CANOSCALE before changing LTSCALE.

LTSCALE in Layouts and Viewports

LTSCALE also affects linetypes displayed through layout viewports. However, PSLTSCALE controls how viewport scales influence their paper-space appearance.

PSLTSCALE = 1

With:

PSLTSCALE = 1

AutoCAD adjusts linetype display so that patterns can appear at a consistent paper-space size through viewports using different scales.

For example, a hidden line shown through a 1:20 viewport and another shown through a 1:100 viewport can have similar printed dash lengths.

PSLTSCALE = 0

With:

PSLTSCALE = 0

the linetype pattern remains more directly related to model-space units and the viewport scale.

This can make the same linetype appear at different dash sizes through viewports that use different scales.

PSLTSCALE is specifically intended to manage linetype consistency across layout viewports. (Autodesk Aide)

Regenerate the Viewports

After changing:

LTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
MSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE
Viewport scale

run:

REGENALL

AutoCAD may not immediately recalculate the display in every viewport after a scale change.

Why a Dashed Line Appears Continuous

A dashed line can appear continuous for several reasons. The correct solution depends on the cause.

LTSCALE Is Too Small

A very small value compresses the pattern. The dashes and gaps may become too dense to distinguish.

Example:

LTSCALE = 0.001

LTSCALE Is Too Large

A very large value may create a dash that is longer than the object itself. The object then appears as one continuous segment.

The Object Is Too Short

A non-continuous linetype needs enough length to display at least part of its repeating sequence.

Create a longer test line using the same linetype and scale. If the longer line displays correctly, the original object is simply too short for the pattern.

The Wrong Linetype Is Assigned

Confirm that the object or its layer is not using:

Continuous

Also verify that the expected linetype definition was loaded.

The Object Has a Scale Override

Select the object and inspect Linetype Scale.

Values such as:

0.01

or:

can make the object display differently from other objects using the same layer and linetype.

The Wrong Metric or Imperial Definition Was Loaded

Check:

MEASUREMENT

Then confirm whether the linetype came from:

acad.lin

or:

acadiso.lin

Do not compensate for an incorrect definition by applying an extreme LTSCALE value.

The Drawing Needs Regeneration

Run:

REGEN

or:

REGENALL

especially after changing viewport or annotation settings.

Polyline Linetype Generation Is Disabled

A polyline may restart the linetype pattern at each vertex instead of continuing it across the full object.

This behavior is controlled by:

The polyline’s Linetype Generation property
The PLINEGEN system variable for new polylines

When generation is disabled, each short segment may begin with a dash. A multi-segment polyline may therefore appear almost continuous.

Recommended LTSCALE Workflow

Use the following process when configuring a new drawing or correcting an existing one.

Step 1: Verify the Drawing Units

Run:

UNITS

Then measure a known object.

Do not rely only on the unit format displayed in the dialog box. Confirm what one drawing unit represents in the project.

Step 2: Check MEASUREMENT

Run:

MEASUREMENT

Use:

for imperial conventions or:

for metric conventions.

Step 3: Load the Correct Linetype File

Use the approved:

Imperial .LIN file
Metric .LIN file
Company .LIN file
Project-specific .LIN file

Avoid mixing metric and imperial definitions in the same drawing.

Step 4: Establish a Controlled Baseline

For troubleshooting, use:

LTSCALE = 1
CELTSCALE = 1
Object Linetype Scale = 1

Also confirm:

Linetype = ByLayer

for normal project objects.

Step 5: Check Model-Space and Layout Settings

Inspect:

MSLTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE

Use the values required by the project standard.

A common layout-based workflow uses:

MSLTSCALE = 1
PSLTSCALE = 1

but established company standards or legacy drawings may use a different configuration.

Step 6: Regenerate the Drawing

Run:

REGENALL

Step 7: Test Several Object Types

Use:

A long line
A short line
A circle
An arc
A multi-segment polyline
A centerline
A complex linetype

Step 8: Adjust LTSCALE Gradually

Test logical values such as:

Do not jump to an extreme value unless the drawing units clearly justify it.

Step 9: Check the Layout and Plot Preview

Verify:

Dash length
Gap length
Viewport consistency
Complex-linetype readability
Short-object behavior
Final printed appearance

The plotted result is more important than the display at an arbitrary zoom level in model space.

Practical LTSCALE Examples

Example 1: All Dashed Lines Are Too Small

Suppose all hidden and center linetypes appear as dense, nearly continuous patterns.

Check the current LTSCALE:

LTSCALE = 0.01

Increase it gradually:

LTSCALE = 0.1
LTSCALE = 0.5
LTSCALE = 1

Run REGEN after each test.

Because the problem affects the whole drawing, a global correction is appropriate.

Example 2: Only One Line Has the Wrong Pattern

Suppose every hidden line looks correct except one short object.

Do not change LTSCALE.

Instead:

Select the object.
Open Properties.
Change its Linetype Scale.
Use the smallest necessary override.

The rest of the drawing remains unchanged.

Example 3: Two Identical Lines Look Different

Suppose both lines use the same layer and named linetype.

Inspect their properties:

Line 1 Linetype Scale = 1
Line 2 Linetype Scale = 0.25

Reset the second object to:

if both lines should match.

Example 4: Linetypes Differ Between Viewports

Suppose a layout contains:

A viewport at 1:20
A viewport at 1:100

The same linetype appears at different dash sizes.

Check:

PSLTSCALE

Set it according to the project standard, then run:

REGENALL

Changing LTSCALE alone changes both viewports proportionally and may not correct the inconsistency.

Example 5: Linetypes Change with Annotation Scale

Suppose the model-space pattern changes when you select another annotation scale.

Check:

MSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE

If MSLTSCALE is set to 1, the CANOSCALE value participates in the model-space display.

The change may therefore be expected rather than an LTSCALE error.

Example 6: An Imported Drawing Uses LTSCALE = 1000

Do not reset it immediately.

First:

Record the original value.
Measure known geometry.
Check UNITS and MEASUREMENT.
Inspect object-level scales.
Identify the loaded .LIN file.
Check MSLTSCALE and PSLTSCALE.
Review the layouts and Xrefs.
Save a backup copy.

The large value may be compensating for a unit system, legacy standard, or imported linetype definition.

LTSCALE and Complex Linetypes

Complex linetypes may contain text or SHX shapes in addition to dashes and gaps.

Examples include:

GAS
FENCE
HOT WATER
Property boundaries
Utility lines
Railway patterns
Directional symbols

Linetypes Containing Text

The final appearance may depend on:

LTSCALE
Object Linetype Scale
Text style
Text height in the .LIN definition
Rotation mode
Drawing units
Viewport scale

Increasing LTSCALE enlarges the overall repetition interval, but the embedded text may also have its own scale factor inside the definition.

Linetypes Containing Shapes

Shape-based linetypes may reference an .SHX file.

Their display may depend on:

Shape scale in the .LIN definition
LTSCALE
Object Linetype Scale
Shape rotation
SHX file availability
Support-file search paths

A missing SHX file cannot be corrected by changing LTSCALE.

Why Complex Linetypes Require More Testing

A scale that is too large can create:

Oversized symbols
Excessive spacing
Text that does not fit short lines
Labels extending beyond the object

A scale that is too small can create:

Overlapping text
Dense symbols
Unreadable labels
Patterns that look continuous

Always test complex linetypes in the final layout.

Does LTSCALE Affect Every Object Type?

Object or property	Affected by LTSCALE?	Notes
Lines	Yes	When a non-continuous linetype is assigned
Arcs	Yes	The pattern follows the arc length
Circles	Yes	The pattern repeats around the circumference
Polylines	Yes	Linetype Generation affects continuity
Block geometry	Yes	Depends on nested object and block properties
Xref geometry	Yes	Host definitions and source content also matter
Continuous linetype	No visible effect	It has no dash-gap pattern
Hatches	No	Hatches use `.PAT` patterns
Multilines	Indirectly	Component linetypes are defined in the multiline style
Dimensions	Sometimes	Depends on the linetypes assigned to dimension components
Centerline objects	Yes	CENTERLTSCALE may also apply
Raster images	No	Raster display is unrelated to linetype scale

LTSCALE in Blocks

Objects inside a block may use:

A specific linetype
ByLayer
ByBlock
An individual Linetype Scale

Their final appearance can depend on:

The nested object’s linetype
Its object Linetype Scale
The block reference’s linetype
The block reference layer
LTSCALE
Drawing units

An object configured as ByBlock can inherit the linetype assigned to the inserted block reference. If the block reference itself is set to ByLayer, its effective linetype comes from the insertion layer.

Do not explode a block only to correct a linetype scale problem. Inspect the block definition and reference properties first.

LTSCALE in External References

Xrefs may have been created with:

Different drawing units
Different .LIN files
Different object-level scales
Different annotation settings
Different CAD standards

The host drawing controls the display environment, but the source content and definitions still affect the result.

Identical Linetype Names in the Host and Xref

When the host drawing and an attached Xref contain a linetype with exactly the same name, the host drawing’s linetype definition takes precedence for display in the host.

This can produce an unexpected result when:

Both definitions have the same name
Their dash and gap values are different
One comes from acad.lin
The other comes from acadiso.lin
A company custom linetype was redefined

For example, a linetype named DASHED may have one definition in the host and another in the referenced file. The Xref geometry may then display according to the definition already present in the host drawing.

To avoid conflicts:

Use one approved project linetype library
Do not create different definitions with identical names
Rename company-specific patterns when necessary
Check host definitions before changing LTSCALE

Xref Troubleshooting Procedure

When Xref linetypes appear incorrect:

Open the source DWG.
Check its units and MEASUREMENT value.
Inspect its linetype definitions.
Check object Linetype Scale values.
Confirm the insertion units in the host.
Inspect the host’s linetype definitions.
Check the host LTSCALE.
Check PSLTSCALE and MSLTSCALE.
Run REGENALL.

For coordinated projects, all disciplines should use the same standards for:

Drawing units
MEASUREMENT
Approved .LIN files
LTSCALE
CELTSCALE
MSLTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE
Object Linetype Scale
ByLayer properties

Compact Troubleshooting Checklist

When a linetype does not display correctly, check these items in order:

Is the correct non-continuous linetype assigned?
Is the object set to ByLayer?
Is the layer using the expected linetype?
Is the object long enough?
What is the LTSCALE value?
Is the object Linetype Scale set to 1?
What is the CELTSCALE value?
What are MSLTSCALE and PSLTSCALE?
What is the current CANOSCALE value?
Is MEASUREMENT set correctly?
Was the correct .LIN file loaded?
Are imperial and metric definitions mixed?
Does a polyline use continuous linetype generation?
Has REGENALL been run?
Do the host drawing and Xref contain conflicting linetype names?
Does the pattern display correctly in plot preview?

Best Practices for Global Linetype Scale

Use ByLayer

Assign linetypes to layers and keep normal objects set to:

Linetype = ByLayer

This keeps drawing standards consistent and makes global corrections easier.

Keep Object Linetype Scale at 1

Use:

Object Linetype Scale = 1

for most objects.

Apply an individual override only when a specific object cannot display clearly with the project-wide settings.

Use LTSCALE for Drawing-Wide Corrections

Change LTSCALE when the pattern size is wrong throughout the drawing.

Do not use it to correct one isolated line.

Keep Metric and Imperial Definitions Separate

Use the correct MEASUREMENT value and the corresponding .LIN library.

Avoid loading similarly named patterns from both acad.lin and acadiso.lin.

Store Standards in the Drawing Template

A company .DWT template should define:

MEASUREMENT
LTSCALE
CELTSCALE
MSLTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
Approved annotation scales
Loaded linetypes
Standard layers
ByLayer properties
Layout settings

Avoid Duplicate Linetype Names

Do not use the same linetype name for different definitions across host drawings, Xrefs, templates, and custom libraries.

Use clear project-specific names for custom patterns.

Check the Final Plot

Review linetypes in:

Layout viewports
Plot preview
Test PDF files
Printed sheets

The model-space display at a random zoom level is not the final reference.

Frequently Asked Questions About LTSCALE

What Does LTSCALE Stand For?

LTSCALE means linetype scale. It controls the global size of linetype patterns in the current drawing.

What Is the Default LTSCALE Value?

The normal starting value is:

LTSCALE = 1

This uses the original dimensions of the loaded linetype definition before other scale factors are applied.

What Is the Best LTSCALE Setting?

There is no single correct value for every drawing.

The best value depends on:

Drawing units
MEASUREMENT
Linetype definition
Object size
Annotation scale
Viewport scale
Printed sheet scale

Should LTSCALE Always Be Set to 1?

No. A value of 1 is a reliable starting point, but some drawings require another value because of their units, linetype library, or project standards.

Does LTSCALE Affect Existing Objects?

Yes. Changing LTSCALE changes the display of applicable existing linetypes throughout the drawing.

Does LTSCALE Affect New Objects?

Yes. New objects use the current global LTSCALE. Their final pattern also depends on CELTSCALE and their individual Linetype Scale property.

What Is the Difference Between LTSCALE and CELTSCALE?

LTSCALE controls the entire drawing.

CELTSCALE controls the object-level linetype scale assigned to newly created objects.

What Is the Difference Between LTSCALE and PSLTSCALE?

LTSCALE controls global pattern size.

PSLTSCALE controls how linetypes are displayed through paper-space viewports.

What Is the Difference Between LTSCALE and MSLTSCALE?

LTSCALE is the global pattern multiplier.

MSLTSCALE determines whether model-space display is adjusted according to the current annotation scale.

What Is CANOSCALE?

CANOSCALE stores the current annotation scale.

When MSLTSCALE is enabled, CANOSCALE can change the appearance of linetypes on the Model tab.

What Is MEASUREMENT?

MEASUREMENT identifies the drawing’s imperial or metric convention.

0 = Imperial
1 = Metric

It influences whether AutoCAD uses the standard imperial or metric pattern files by default.

Why Does a Dashed Line Look Continuous?

Possible causes include:

LTSCALE is too small
LTSCALE is too large
The object is too short
The object uses Continuous
The object has a scale override
The wrong .LIN file was loaded
REGEN has not been run
Polyline linetype generation is disabled

Why Do Linetypes Look Different in Two Viewports?

Check:

PSLTSCALE
Viewport scales
Object Linetype Scale
CANOSCALE
Xref content
REGENALL

Why Does an Xref Linetype Look Different from the Source Drawing?

The host and source may use different:

Drawing units
MEASUREMENT values
LTSCALE settings
Linetype definitions
Object scale values

If both drawings contain a linetype with the same name, the host drawing’s definition can control how that name is displayed in the host.

Can LTSCALE Be Set to Zero?

No. LTSCALE must use a positive value.

Is LTSCALE Saved in the DWG File?

Yes. LTSCALE is stored with the drawing.

A DWG received from another company may therefore open with a global scale that differs from your standard template.

Should I Use REGEN or REGENALL?

Use:

REGEN

to regenerate the current view.

Use:

REGENALL

when layouts, multiple viewports, or paper-space scale settings are involved.

Conclusion

LTSCALE controls the global size of non-continuous linetype patterns in AutoCAD.

Increasing LTSCALE creates longer dashes and larger gaps. Decreasing it creates shorter and more frequent repetitions.

The final display can also depend on:

CELTSCALE
Object Linetype Scale
MSLTSCALE
PSLTSCALE
CANOSCALE
MEASUREMENT
PLINEGEN
Drawing units
Metric or imperial .LIN definitions
Blocks
Xrefs
Complex linetype settings

For a well-managed drawing, use ByLayer, keep the object Linetype Scale at 1, load one approved linetype library, and control the overall result with the drawing and viewport variables.

Verify the final appearance in the layout, plot preview, and exported PDF, not only at an arbitrary zoom level in model space.