QCAD.org Forum

Would be interested in knowing how to set the line weight for the application.
I usually do small model drawing files and use 0.00mm as line weight. But I see no way to set that for either the current drawing OR globally for the application. I don't necessarily want to select the thicker line(s) (default?) and then change it in the attributes. Any way to do this? It is not a choice either in drawing or application preferences.

iMac running Ventura 13.7.4
QCad Pro v 3.32.20

Hi,

For CAD the common practice is that entity attributes are inherited from the layer they live on with 'By Layer'.
See tutorial: Working with Layers. The first line of text is already the most important one.

Layers are thus intended to group entities that should be displayed/printed alike.
All hidden as dashed, all center lines, all those in red, all construction lines or all somewhat thicker for example.

Typically we draw on the current active layer indicated by a pencil icon in the layer list.
One can change the active layer beforehand, before creating something new.
Or one can change the Layer property of each selected entity in the Property Editor, or more at once.
In essence moving the entity(ies) to the other layer.

In rare cases or when intended we can force custom attributes for drawing entities.
A fine red dashed line on the continuous green layer for example.

The Lineweight is the exact thickness on paper, in a PDF export, disregarding paper size or scale.
1.00mm (ISO) is then exactly 1mm (0.03937007874") wide on paper.

On screen (pixels) we typically use 'Screen-based Linetypes' (and weights) (NL).
This is a pixel based hybrid system that will always look somewhat dashed/dotted or thin/thick disregarding the zoom state.
It will never be printed like this.
One can turn NL off to display the line-art in its actual weight and pattern.
By preference automatically turned on when in model view.
Typically turned off in paper view.

Not using 'Screen-based Linetypes' a line may become too thin to display with a pixel when zooming out. (Minimum = 1px)
Or the width may fill the entire screen when zooming in.
Chances are that if you zoom in far on a dotted line you end up looking at the void.


Regards,
CVH