Portland, Oregon — Autodsys, Inc. (http://www.autodsys.com/) today released AutoLINE 2009 Linetype Manager which adds powerful new features and over 100 linetypes to AutoCAD software from Autodesk and Autodsys AcceliCAD. AutoLINE takes advantage of ARX in AutoCAD and Custom Entity Display in AcceliCAD to display linetypes that would not otherwise be possible.
AutoLINE provides advanced linetype functionality including management of linetypes with an interface for modifying them as well as the ability to draw parallel lines with variable width, put a block or negative dash first in the linetype definition, and to control the width of a line or what text is placed in the line on an entity-by-entity basis. AutoLINE also comes with 100 linetypes that may be customized to meet end-user requirements. Entities with AutoLINE linetypes assigned to them can be edited just like any other entity and options are available to allow users who don't have AutoLINE to view the linetypes on their systems.
"AutoLINE has long been considered the best tool for managing linetypes in AutoCAD", said Ronald Prepchuk, President of Autodsys. "This new version will have users reconsidering what is possible with linetypes." Existing users will find that AutoLINE 2009 has significantly smaller file sizes when compared to previous versions of AutoLINE. Due to the use of new technologies it is also much faster in drawing custom linetypes and also much easier to edit linetypes using regular editing commands such as TRIM and BREAK.
Users wishing to try AutoLINE 2009 may download it from www.autodsys.com.
Key Features of AutoLINE 2009:
* AutoLINE allows blocks in linetypes instead of shapes
* AutoLINE allows any number of parallel lines in linetypes making possible a whole range of lines such as roads, walls, and barriers.
* AutoLINE allows a block, text, or negative dash first in the linetype definition. AutoCAD linetypes must include a positive, non-zero dash first. This limits flexibility and makes it very difficult to produce many of the linetypes that are so easy with AutoLINE. For example, with an AutoCAD linetype it is impossible to make linetypes such as 'DOTS', 'STONE', or 'CONDUIT' because the blocks won't be placed on the end of the line. With AutoLINE, if a block is first in the linetype definition it will be placed exactly on the vertices.
* AutoLINE has better options for rotating text and blocks. With AutoCAD linetypes that include text, if a line is drawn from right to left the text will be upside down. With AutoLINE there is an option so that the text will be drawn right side up.
* AutoLINE allows you to include AutoLISP expressions in the linetype definition for greater flexibility. We use this feature with our 'CONTOUR' linetype to prompt for the text to place in the line, with our 'ELEVATION' linetype to automatically assign the elevation of the line as the text in the linetype, and with our '1HOURSMOKE', 'CONVEYOR', 'STONE' and other linetypes to prompt for the width.
* AutoLINE makes it easy to create and modify new linetypes with dialog box functionality.
* AutoLINE allows polyline width (PLINEWID) and polyline linetype generation (PLINEGEN) as part of the linetype definition. As long as AutoLINE is used to draw linetypes it will make sure they are drawn correctly. With AutoCAD alone this must be managed separately.
* AutoLINE includes over 100 custom linetypes which can be modified or used as-is. Many of them would be impossible with AutoCAD alone.
* AutoLINE linetypes can be scaled by LTSCALE or forced to 1:1 scaling so they always appear the correct size regardless of LTSCALE.
* AutoLINE creates two kinds of linetypes: AutoCAD linetypes and its own special format AutoLINE linetypes. AutoLINEs own linetypes are much more flexible than AutoCADs and allow for an almost unlimited range of possibilities. Whichever kind you use (and you CAN use both), AutoLINE gives you a simple, elegant, user interface for creating, modifying, and using linetypes.
AutoLINE provides advanced linetype functionality including management of linetypes with an interface for modifying them as well as the ability to draw parallel lines with variable width, put a block or negative dash first in the linetype definition, and to control the width of a line or what text is placed in the line on an entity-by-entity basis. AutoLINE also comes with 100 linetypes that may be customized to meet end-user requirements. Entities with AutoLINE linetypes assigned to them can be edited just like any other entity and options are available to allow users who don't have AutoLINE to view the linetypes on their systems.
"AutoLINE has long been considered the best tool for managing linetypes in AutoCAD", said Ronald Prepchuk, President of Autodsys. "This new version will have users reconsidering what is possible with linetypes." Existing users will find that AutoLINE 2009 has significantly smaller file sizes when compared to previous versions of AutoLINE. Due to the use of new technologies it is also much faster in drawing custom linetypes and also much easier to edit linetypes using regular editing commands such as TRIM and BREAK.
Users wishing to try AutoLINE 2009 may download it from www.autodsys.com.
Key Features of AutoLINE 2009:
* AutoLINE allows blocks in linetypes instead of shapes
* AutoLINE allows any number of parallel lines in linetypes making possible a whole range of lines such as roads, walls, and barriers.
* AutoLINE allows a block, text, or negative dash first in the linetype definition. AutoCAD linetypes must include a positive, non-zero dash first. This limits flexibility and makes it very difficult to produce many of the linetypes that are so easy with AutoLINE. For example, with an AutoCAD linetype it is impossible to make linetypes such as 'DOTS', 'STONE', or 'CONDUIT' because the blocks won't be placed on the end of the line. With AutoLINE, if a block is first in the linetype definition it will be placed exactly on the vertices.
* AutoLINE has better options for rotating text and blocks. With AutoCAD linetypes that include text, if a line is drawn from right to left the text will be upside down. With AutoLINE there is an option so that the text will be drawn right side up.
* AutoLINE allows you to include AutoLISP expressions in the linetype definition for greater flexibility. We use this feature with our 'CONTOUR' linetype to prompt for the text to place in the line, with our 'ELEVATION' linetype to automatically assign the elevation of the line as the text in the linetype, and with our '1HOURSMOKE', 'CONVEYOR', 'STONE' and other linetypes to prompt for the width.
* AutoLINE makes it easy to create and modify new linetypes with dialog box functionality.
* AutoLINE allows polyline width (PLINEWID) and polyline linetype generation (PLINEGEN) as part of the linetype definition. As long as AutoLINE is used to draw linetypes it will make sure they are drawn correctly. With AutoCAD alone this must be managed separately.
* AutoLINE includes over 100 custom linetypes which can be modified or used as-is. Many of them would be impossible with AutoCAD alone.
* AutoLINE linetypes can be scaled by LTSCALE or forced to 1:1 scaling so they always appear the correct size regardless of LTSCALE.
* AutoLINE creates two kinds of linetypes: AutoCAD linetypes and its own special format AutoLINE linetypes. AutoLINEs own linetypes are much more flexible than AutoCADs and allow for an almost unlimited range of possibilities. Whichever kind you use (and you CAN use both), AutoLINE gives you a simple, elegant, user interface for creating, modifying, and using linetypes.