Autocad Dashed Line Not Showing | Fast, Reliable Fixes

Guide / By

If dashed linetypes don’t display, load the right linetypes, set LTSCALE/PSLTSCALE/MSLTSCALE, enable PLINEGEN when needed, then REGENALL.

When dashed or hidden lines show up as solid, the cause is almost always scale, an unloaded linetype, or a polyline setting that breaks the pattern. This guide gives clear checks that fix the display in model space and layouts, with quick notes for viewports, xrefs, and 3D polylines. Links to Autodesk help pages are included where you might want a deeper read.

Why Dashed Linetypes Fail To Display

Most dashed-line issues trace back to three areas: linetype scale, viewport behavior, and object settings. If any of these is off, the dash pattern collapses into a solid stroke or looks out of proportion to the drawing scale. Less common causes include units mismatches, xref retention settings, or graphic driver quirks.

  • Wrong scale values — A dash pattern that’s too small or too large for the current zoom or sheet scale reads as continuous. See LTSCALE & PSLTSCALE and Linetype display basics.
  • Viewport mismatch — Mixed annotation vs. standard scales across viewports makes dashed lines vary or appear solid. See Autodesk’s layout scale notes on setting scale in layouts.
  • Polyline pattern breaks — 2D polylines can reset the pattern at each vertex unless “Linetype Generation” runs through. 3D polylines handle patterns differently and may never display long gaps cleanly when segments are short or steep. See PLINEGEN and Autodesk’s note on 3D polylines.
  • Unloaded or wrong linetype file — If the dashed definition isn’t present, objects fall back to Continuous. Reload from acad.lin or your metric/imperial pack. See dashed lines appear solid.
  • Xref retention — Host files can “remember” xref layer overrides, blocking updates to dashed definitions until you tweak VISRETAIN settings or reload with a clean state. See xref updates.

Quick Fix Order That Solves Most Cases

Run these checks in sequence for the fastest path to a clean dashed display in model space and layouts.

  1. Reload linetypes — Run LINETYPE → Load → pick your dashed style (e.g., HIDDEN, DASHED) from acad.lin or your metric pack → OK.
  2. Set global scale — Type LTSCALE, try a size that suits your drawing units and scale. If you can’t see any breaks, increase the value; if gaps look stretched, decrease it. Use a big jump first, then dial in.
  3. Sync model vs. paper behavior — In model: set MSLTSCALE to 1 when you use annotation scales; set it to 0 for old-school behavior. In paper: set PSLTSCALE to 1 so linetypes read the same across viewports at different scales.
  4. Regenerate — Run REGENALL to refresh the display after scale changes.
  5. Enable polyline generation — For 2D polylines with lots of vertices, type PLINEGEN and set to 1 so dashes flow through vertices.
  6. Match viewport scales — Select each viewport, then in Properties set Standard Scale and Annotation Scale to the same value where possible.
  7. Check object linetype scale — Select a stubborn object and look at Linetype Scale in Properties. If it’s off, reset it to 1 to inherit the global setting.

These steps cover nine out of ten “Autocad dashed line not showing” cases without touching templates or graphics drivers.

Autocad Dashed Line Not Showing — Paper Space And Viewports

Layouts can mask issues because viewports add another layer of scaling. Keep the sheet experience clean by making linetypes read consistently across every viewport on the page.

  • Lock PSLTSCALE — Use PSLTSCALE=1 so all viewports show the same dash length on paper, even with different viewport zoom factors. Then REGENALL. See Autodesk’s layout guidance on layout scale.
  • Keep annotation and standard scales aligned — Select a viewport, then set both Annotation Scale and Standard Scale to the same ratio. This prevents one viewport from compressing dashes while another stretches them. See this tip from user reports on scale mismatch.
  • Model-space view too zoomed? — If dashes look fine on the sheet but not in model, try MSLTSCALE=0 to remove annotation scaling from model display, or keep it at 1 if you rely on annotation scales. See Autodesk on MSLTSCALE/PSLTSCALE.

After any change that affects scale, always regenerate. A dash update won’t appear until you refresh the view or plot preview.

Polyline And 3D Cases That Break Dash Patterns

Polyline behavior can make or break the look of a dashed centerline or utility line. A dense run of vertices resets the pattern on each segment unless you tell AutoCAD to carry the pattern through.

  • Turn on PLINEGEN for 2D polylines — Type PLINEGEN → set to 1. This lets the dash pattern keep flowing through vertices. Autodesk’s system-variable page explains the effect in detail. See PLINEGEN help and a quick guide from Land F/X here.
  • Know the limits of 3D polylines — 3D polylines don’t offer the same linetype generation behavior as 2D polylines. On steep segments or very short spans, dash groups can shrink or vanish in top view. Autodesk notes the constraint for 3D polylines here.
  • Too many short segments? — Clean geometry with fewer vertices where the pattern can’t “fit.” Use a polyline edit where possible, or break the path into longer runs that can host at least one full dash-gap group.

If a 3D path must stay as-is, consider a 2D representation for plotting while keeping the 3D line for modeling. That split keeps the printed sheet readable.

Host, Xrefs, And Units: Hidden Gotchas

When the normal fixes don’t stick, look for host settings that override your changes or for units mismatches that make dash definitions too small or too large for your detail scale.

  • Reload xrefs with the right retention — Host drawings can keep xref layer overrides that block linetype updates. If changes in the source file don’t flow in, set VISRETAINMODE to 1024, toggle VISRETAIN to 0 for a clean reload, then reattach or reload. See Autodesk’s note on xref layer updates. If you need to keep overrides, set VISRETAIN back to 1 after the refresh.
  • Match imperial vs. metric packs — If a drawing started in a different unit system, pattern lengths can be off by a large factor. Set MEASUREMENT to 0 for imperial or 1 for metric, then reload the linetypes so the right definition file is in play. See user steps collected here.
  • Driver and preview refresh — Out-of-date display drivers or stale previews can mislead you. If the sheet preview looks wrong, try REGENALL, then a print to PDF test. Autodesk flags driver display as a cause in this article.

Working Settings That Plot Cleanly

These settings give a predictable dashed look on most plans and details. Tweak as needed for your sheet scale and units. Keep object linetype scales at 1 unless a specific detail needs a different pattern.

Setting Where It Matters Typical Value
LTSCALE Global dash size in model Start at 1, then nudge up/down until dashes read clean; big jumps first, fine tune later. Guide
MSLTSCALE Model view with annotation scales 1 when you use annotation scales; 0 for classic behavior. Details
PSLTSCALE Paper space viewports 1 so dashes match across viewports at different scales. Layout scale
PLINEGEN 2D polylines with many vertices 1 so the pattern flows through vertices. Help
Object Linetype Scale Per-object override 1 for most objects; avoid odd values unless needed for a detail callout.
MEASUREMENT Metric vs. imperial definitions 0 = imperial, 1 = metric; reload linetypes after switching. Tip
VISRETAIN / VISRETAINMODE Xref updates Toggle per Autodesk steps during reload, then set back to your standard. Steps

Step-By-Step: Make Hidden Lines Plot As Dashed

Quick check: This sequence assumes dashed lines look wrong in plot preview or in the PDF, not just on screen. If a step fixes it, you can stop there.

  1. Verify the linetype is not “Continuous” — Select a line and check Properties → Linetype. If it says Continuous, assign the dashed style you loaded earlier.
  2. Load the correct definition pack — If the drawing came from another office or country, switch MEASUREMENT to match the unit system and reload linetypes.
  3. Reset global scale — Set LTSCALE to a round value. Try 1, 5, 10, 20 in model, looking at a known viewport scale like 1:100 or 1/8” = 1’-0”.
  4. Fix viewport behavior — In each viewport, set Standard Scale and Annotation Scale to the same ratio. Keep PSLTSCALE=1.
  5. Enable PLINEGEN for dashed centerlines — For polylines with many vertices, set PLINEGEN=1. Redraw or REGENALL.
  6. Remove odd per-object scales — If some objects still read wrong, select them and set Linetype Scale back to 1 in Properties.
  7. Refresh the view and test plot — Run REGENALL, open Plot, and print to PDF to confirm. If the PDF is good but the layout looks off, update your display drivers later.

When “Autocad Dashed Line Not Showing” Still Persists

If the display still reads solid after the steps above, target the setup that feeds your sheets and references.

  • Template drift — Old templates carry odd linetype scales and overrides. Test a fresh DWG from the out-of-box template, paste a few objects, then compare. If the new file plots clean, update the office template.
  • Xref refresh — If dashed layer changes in the source file do not reflect in the host, follow Autodesk’s VISRETAIN workflow, reload, then restore your preferred retention. See xref reload steps.
  • Driver path — A bad display driver can fake a solid stroke. The Autodesk note on dashed lines covers this angle. See driver cause. If the PDF is correct, you can defer the driver update.
  • 3D alignment — For 3D polylines used as edges or utilities, a steep slope shortens dash groups in plan. Consider a 2D drafting layer for plot while keeping the 3D path for modeling. Autodesk explains the 3D limit here.

Answers To Common “Why Is My Dash Still Solid?” Checks

  • “I changed LTSCALE but nothing happened.” — You likely need REGENALL, and your viewport may still be out of sync. Confirm PSLTSCALE=1 and match the viewport’s annotation and standard scales.
  • “Model looks fine; layout is solid.” — Set both scales in the viewport to the same ratio, keep PSLTSCALE=1, and test again. See Autodesk’s layout advice here.
  • “My dashed polyline breaks at every vertex.” — Set PLINEGEN=1 so the pattern continues through vertices. See the system variable reference here.
  • “Xref changes won’t show.” — Use the VISRETAIN/VISRETAINMODE refresh cycle, then reload or reattach. Steps are listed here.
  • “Metric vs. imperial?” — Check MEASUREMENT, then reload linetypes so the dash definitions match units. User-tested steps are summarized here.

Keep It Working On Every New Sheet

Once the drawing looks right, lock a few habits into your template and daily workflow to avoid a repeat of “Autocad dashed line not showing” on the next job.

  • Template sanity — Store a clean linetype library and default LTSCALE, MSLTSCALE, PSLTSCALE, and PLINEGEN=1 for dashed centerlines. Add a layout with a known viewport scale for a five-second visual check.
  • Object scale discipline — Keep per-object Linetype Scale at 1 across the board unless a detail needs a dedicated look. Random overrides cause random plots.
  • Viewport checklist — When you create a viewport, set its Standard Scale and Annotation Scale together, verify PSLTSCALE=1, then lock the viewport to stop drifting.
  • Xref refresh routine — If your shop uses heavy xrefs, add the VISRETAIN refresh to your checklist before final plots. It avoids last-minute layer mismatches.

Follow these habits and dashed lines will read clean at any detail scale, across every viewport, and in every PDF you publish.