PWRZIG-bgol (Scaled Power-Line Zigzag Symbol)

Command Type: AutoLISP routine (works in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD and most AutoLISP-compatible CAD platforms)
Developed by: BGol Community, bgol.in

Inspired by the general concept of scaled power-line symbol generation used in survey and utility drafting. This is an original, independently written routine, new file name, new command name, new source code, created so the CAD community has a free, editable, open-source alternative.

Overview

PWZ converts a selected polyline into a properly scaled power-line indicator by drawing periodic zigzag "teeth" clusters along its path, with plain segments between clusters, the standard electrical/power-line cartographic symbol. Unlike AutoCAD's built-in linetypes, the zigzag size here is entered directly in real drawing units, so it stays correctly scaled regardless of the drawing's plot scale.

How to Use

1. Load PWRZIG-bgol.lsp into your CAD session (drag-and-drop the file onto the drawing window, or use the APPLOAD command).
2. Type PWZ at the command line and press Enter.
3. Select the polyline representing the power line route.
4. Enter the zigzag amplitude, tooth spacing, and cluster interval, or press Enter at each prompt to accept the shown defaults.
5. Zigzag clusters are generated along the route at the given interval and drawn as short polylines on layer BGOL-PWZ, layered on top of the original route (which is left untouched).

Why Use It

• Correctly scaled, the zigzag size is defined in real drawing units, so it stays consistent regardless of plot/annotation scale, unlike AutoCAD's built-in linetypes.
• User control, amplitude, tooth spacing, and cluster interval are all adjustable, so the symbol can be tuned to office drafting standards.
• No manual drafting, saves manually drawing repeated zigzag segments by hand along a long power line route.
• Non-destructive, the underlying route geometry (length, path) stays intact; only the zigzag overlay is added.

Where to Use It

• Indicating overhead or underground power line routes on survey base maps, utility drawings, or infrastructure design drawings.
• Any drafting task needing standard electrical/power-line cartographic symbology applied consistently along an arbitrary polyline path.

Notes

• Each zigzag cluster is centered on the polyline's tangent direction at that point, so clusters follow curves correctly, not just straight segments.
• Clusters are spaced at the entered interval, starting at half the interval from the polyline's start, leaving plain sections of the base route visible between clusters.
• Source code is fully open, feel free to study, modify, and redistribute it under the same open, free-for-all spirit.

Credits

Developed and shared for the CAD community by BGol Community. Website: https://bgol.in/ Free and open-source, use it, modify it, share it, for personal or commercial work alike.