replace existing linetypes

I am trying to replace existing linetypes in a drawing and it is more
trouble than I care to deal with right now. Can I get a little help? Here
is the situation, there are a number of drawings that have incorrect
linetypes loaded and in use. I need to replace these with the correct
linetypes. I can't get entupd to work on linetypes (I vaguely remember some
discussions about it not working with linetypes that are in use). Does
anyone have a way to replace existing linetypes without having to remove all
reference to them, delete them, load the new linetypes and "remap" the
layers and lines? I know htere isn't a way to do this with Vlisp either...
I have checked. Classic LISP works better when dealing with linetypes.

Thanks.

 

1 - Load the new (replacement) linetype(s)
2 - Select objects of an incorrect linetype (using the FILTER option), and
change them to the correct one with the PROPERTIES window.
3 - Repeat with other incorrect linetypes.
4 - In the Layer dialog, change layers with incorrect linetypes to reflect
correct ones.
5 - PURGE to get rid of old (now unused) linetypes.

BTW, I don't know how you "checked" but all of these operations are quite
easily accomplished with VLisp. ...or a script, or ...
___

 

Yet again my familiarity with the situation leads me to under explain and
over simplify the problem. I need to replace the incorrect linetypes with
the correct linetypes which have EXACTLY the same name. I am not the genius
that created custom linetypes with the same names as ACAD default linetypes.

I agree with you, Paul, about (un)loading linetypes being simple. But I am
trying to find a way to REPLACE linetypes that are already in use, not
assign a different linetype.

 

PMFJI,
But, huh?

Command: FILEDIA
Enter new value for FILEDIA <1>: 0

Command: -LINETYPE
Current line type: "ByLayer"
Enter an option [?/Create/Load/Set]: L

Enter linetype(s) to load: DASHED
Enter name of linetype file to search <acad.lin>:

Linetype "DASHED" is already loaded. Reload it? <Y>


What am I missing here?

 

Then the answer is even simpler: Just reload the linetypes from the correct
*.lin file. When asked if you want to reload, respond with Y (or Yes).
___

 

Holy crap! How has this technique escaped me for so long. I never thought
that the command prompt would give the option to reload if the dialog box
doesn't give the same option. When writing lisp routines I don't normally
like using methods that involve calling the "command" function because that
is more like scripting than programming. But since this is the only method
I have ever seen for replacing linetypes, I will make a HUGE exception.
Thanks, David, for teaching this old dog a new trick. Never would have
found that one without help from the newsgroups.

 

But the dialog *does* offer that option.
___

 

*after testing for myself* It does! I must be losing my mind. I swear I
tried the dialog box and it didn't give me that option before. I guess I
was using the Design Center at the time and assumed that it wouldn't work
from the linetype dialog box either. My frustration with other things must
be getting to me. Too bad, I used to consider myself a good CAD guru.

 

Nathan,

It just started doing that yesterday, if it'll make you feel any better...


I don't know if the 'Load method will automatically redefine the linetype or
not.
Perhaps worth a shot in order to avoid the icky command route...

(setq AcadObject
(vlax-get-acad-object)
)
(setq ActiveDocument
(vlax-get-property AcadObject 'ActiveDocument)
)
(setq Linetypes
(vlax-get-property ActiveDocument 'Linetypes)
)
(vlax-invoke-method
Linetypes
'Load
Linetype_str
"acad.lin"
)

 

Or just change the 'expert' variable prior to reloading linetypes.... my
toolbar button looks like this:
^C^C(setq exvar (getvar
"EXPERT"));EXPERT;3;FILEDIA;0;-LINETYPE;LOAD;*;ACAD.LIN;;(SETVAR "EXPERT"
EXVAR);FILEDIA;1;

This loads / reloads all linetypes in the acad.lin file. With a quick purge
after it's done, all is well.

Casey