Why AutoCAD Linetypes Look Solid in Paper Space

Many AutoCAD users encounter the same frustrating problem: dashed lines, hidden lines, or center lines display correctly in Model Space but appear as solid lines in Paper Space.

Sometimes the opposite happens. The linetypes look correct in a layout viewport but become unusable in Model Space.

This issue is almost always related to linetype scaling, viewport scaling, annotation scaling, or improperly configured drawing settings.

The good news is that the problem is usually easy to fix once you understand how AutoCAD handles linetypes between Model Space and Paper Space.

Quick Answer

If dashed lines appear solid in a layout viewport, verify the following settings:

After applying these settings, run:

REGENALL

In most cases, the problem is resolved immediately.

Why Dashed Lines Become Solid in Paper Space

AutoCAD displays linetypes differently in two environments:

• Model Space displays geometry at full size.
• Paper Space displays geometry through scaled viewports.

When a viewport uses a scale such as 1:50, 1:100, or 1:500, AutoCAD must recalculate the dash and gap pattern.

If the scaling is not configured correctly:

• Dashes may become so small that they merge together.
• Dashes may become so large that they disappear.
• Hidden lines may appear continuous.
• Center lines may look solid.

The problem is usually caused by one or more linetype scaling variables.

The Variables That Control Linetype Display

PSLTSCALE

PSLTSCALE controls whether AutoCAD adjusts linetypes according to viewport scale.

PSLTSCALE = 1

AutoCAD automatically compensates for viewport scaling.

A hidden line will appear consistent whether the viewport scale is:

• 1:10
• 1:50
• 1:100
• 1:500

This is the recommended setting for nearly all modern workflows.

PSLTSCALE = 0

AutoCAD ignores viewport scaling.

The same linetype may look acceptable in one viewport and completely wrong in another.

MSLTSCALE

MSLTSCALE controls how linetypes react to the current annotation scale in Model Space.

MSLTSCALE = 1

AutoCAD scales linetypes according to the active annotation scale.

This usually produces the most predictable results between Model Space and Paper Space.

MSLTSCALE = 0

Linetypes ignore annotation scaling.

Model Space may no longer match plotted output.

LTSCALE

LTSCALE is the global linetype scale factor.

It affects all linetypes in the drawing.

Recommended starting value:

LTSCALE
1

For most modern drawings, this is the cleanest configuration.

Avoid extremely large or extremely small values unless your office standard requires them.

Examples that often indicate scaling issues:

LTSCALE = 100
LTSCALE = 500
LTSCALE = 1000

CELTSCALE

CELTSCALE controls the linetype scale assigned to newly created objects.

Recommended value:

CELTSCALE
1

If CELTSCALE has been modified, new objects may display differently from existing objects even when all other settings appear correct.

PLINEGEN

Many users confuse PLINEGEN with a global linetype variable.

PLINEGEN controls how AutoCAD generates linetype patterns on polylines.

PLINEGEN = 0

The linetype pattern restarts at every segment.

PLINEGEN = 1

The pattern continues across the entire polyline.

This usually produces cleaner center lines and hidden lines.

Recommended value:

PLINEGEN
1

For existing polylines, you can also verify the Linetype Generation property in the Properties palette.

Method 1: Apply the Standard Modern Configuration

This is the recommended setup for AutoCAD 2021 through AutoCAD 2026.

Step 1

Open a layout tab.

Step 2

Type:

PSLTSCALE

Set:

1

Step 3

Type:

MSLTSCALE

Set:

1

Step 4

Type:

LTSCALE

Set:

1

Step 5

Type:

CELTSCALE

Set:

1

Step 6

Type:

PLINEGEN

Set:

1

Step 7

Run:

REGENALL

Step 8

Review the layout viewport.

Most drawings display correctly after this procedure.

Method 2: Fix a Viewport That Does Not Update Properly

Sometimes all settings are already correct, but a specific viewport continues displaying incorrect linetypes.

This is usually a viewport regeneration issue rather than a PSLTSCALE issue.

Remember that PSLTSCALE applies to the entire Layout tab, not to individual viewports.

Step 1

Double-click inside the affected viewport.

Step 2

Verify that the viewport scale is correct.

Step 3

Run:

REGEN

Step 4

If the issue remains, run:

REGENALL

Step 5

Lock the viewport again if necessary.

Method 3: Legacy Workflow Using Paper Space Units

Some older office standards use fixed paper-space linetype scaling.

Step 1

Open:

LINETYPE

Step 2

Click:

Show Details

Step 3

Disable:

Use Paper Space Units for Scaling

Step 4

Click:

OK

Step 5

Run:

REGENALL

Use this workflow only if required by an existing company standard.

Important Warning for Older Drawings

Many older drawings were created before modern linetype scaling workflows became common.

It is common to find:

LTSCALE = 50
LTSCALE = 100
LTSCALE = 500

If you immediately change:

LTSCALE = 1
MSLTSCALE = 1

the drawing may initially look worse.

Before assuming the fix failed, verify the current annotation scale in Model Space.

Check the annotation scale control in the status bar and confirm it matches the project’s primary plotting scale.

Examples:

• 1:50
• 1:100
• 1:200

MSLTSCALE depends on annotation scaling to display linetypes correctly.

Check Object-Level Linetype Scale Overrides

Sometimes the drawing settings are correct but individual objects have been modified.

Step 1

Select a problematic object.

Step 2

Open the Properties palette.

CTRL+1

Step 3

Locate:

Linetype Scale

Step 4

Verify the value.

Recommended:

1

Problematic examples:

0.001
0.01
100
1000

Step 5

Reset the value if necessary.

Step 6

Run:

REGENALL

Check Polyline Width

Wide polylines often appear solid even when the linetype settings are correct.

Step 1

Select the polyline.

Step 2

Open Properties.

Step 3

Check:

Global Width

Step 4

If the width is greater than:

0

set it to:

0

Step 5

Run:

REGENALL

Check Very Short Objects

A linetype pattern needs enough physical length to display properly.

For example:

• A hidden linetype may require several dash-gap cycles.
• A line that is only 20 mm long may not be long enough to display a visible pattern.

In those situations, the line may appear solid even though the linetype is working correctly.

Draw a longer test line using the same linetype to confirm.

Check Blocks

Blocks frequently contain hidden linetype overrides.

Step 1

Open:

BEDIT

Step 2

Inspect the geometry inside the block.

Step 3

Look for:

• Custom object scales
• Nested blocks
• Imported content
• Incorrect linetype assignments

Step 4

Save the block.

Step 5

Run:

REGENALL

Check XREFs

External references are another common source of linetype problems.

Sometimes the host drawing uses correct settings while the XREF file uses different values.

Step 1

Open the XREF source drawing.

Step 2

Verify:

PSLTSCALE = 1
MSLTSCALE = 1
LTSCALE = 1

Step 3

Save the XREF.

Step 4

Return to the host drawing.

Step 5

Reload the XREF.

Step 6

Run:

REGENALL

Many linetype display problems disappear after reloading the reference.

Verify the Correct LIN File

AutoCAD uses different linetype definition files depending on drawing units.

Imperial Drawings

Typically use:

acad.lin

Metric Drawings

Typically use:

acadiso.lin

Using the wrong file can make linetypes appear approximately 25.4 times too large or too small.

Check the MEASUREMENT Variable

The MEASUREMENT variable determines which linetype definitions AutoCAD loads by default.

Imperial Drawings

MEASUREMENT
0

AutoCAD uses Imperial definitions.

Metric Drawings

MEASUREMENT
1

AutoCAD uses Metric definitions.

If a metric drawing uses:

MEASUREMENT = 0

incorrect linetype definitions may be loaded.

Check REGENAUTO

AutoCAD normally regenerates graphics automatically.

Step 1

Type:

REGENAUTO

Step 2

Verify that the value is:

ON

Step 3

Run:

REGENALL

Repair the Drawing Database

Corrupted drawing data can interfere with linetype display.

Step 1

Save the drawing.

Step 2

Run:

AUDIT

Step 3

When prompted, choose:

Yes

Step 4

Allow AutoCAD to repair detected errors.

Step 5

Run:

REGENALL

Recommended Settings for AutoCAD 2021–2026

These settings provide the most consistent linetype display across Model Space, Layouts, and plotted output.

Troubleshooting Table

FAQ

Why do dashed lines print as solid in AutoCAD?

The most common causes are incorrect PSLTSCALE settings, incorrect LTSCALE values, or viewport scaling conflicts.

Why do hidden lines disappear in Paper Space?

The viewport scale may be compressing the linetype pattern. PSLTSCALE and LTSCALE should be checked first.

Should PSLTSCALE be 0 or 1?

For most modern AutoCAD workflows, PSLTSCALE should be set to 1.

Why do my center lines look continuous?

Check PLINEGEN, object-level linetype scales, polyline widths, viewport scales, and annotation scaling.

Why do my XREF linetypes display differently?

The XREF may use different linetype scaling settings. Open the source drawing, verify the settings, save it, and reload the reference.

Why do linetypes look correct in Paper Space but wrong in Model Space?

Check the current annotation scale and verify that MSLTSCALE is enabled.