It is being done as part of a PhD dissertation (not mine) focused on BIM and LEED issues.

Here are the results from the last time I asked this question in 2007.

LTSCALE - LineType Scale - Controls overall linetype scaling of objects displayed.

Sets the global linetype scale factor. The linetype scale factor cannot equal zero. This system variable has the same name as a command. Use the SETVAR command to access this system variable.

The initial value of LTSCALE is 1.

Use LTSCALE to change the scale factor of linetypes for all objects in a drawing. Changing the linetype scale factor causes the drawing to be regenerated.

PSLTSCALE - Paper Space LineType Scale - Controls linetype scaling of objects displayed in paperspace viewports.

When you change PSLTSCALE or use a command such as ZOOM with PSLTSCALE set to 1, objects in viewports are not automatically regenerated with the new linetype scale. Use the REGEN or REGENALL command to update the linetype scales in each viewport.

The initial value of PSLTSCALE is 1.

MSLTSCALE - Model  Space LineType Scale - Scales linetypes displayed on the model tab by the annotation scale

For model space or a layout viewport, you can display all the annotative objects or only those that support the current annotation scale. This reduces the need to use multiple layers to manage the visibility of your annotations.

When the MSLTSCALE system variable is set to 1 (default), linetypes displayed on the model tab are scaled by the annotation scale

Note: MSLTSCALE is set to 0 when you open drawings created in AutoCAD 2007 and earlier.

The initial value of MSLTSCALE is 1 (after 2008)

CELTSCALE - Current Element LineType Scale - Sets the current object linetype scaling factor. You can force an individual elements LTSCALE with this setting.

The Global Scale Factor value controls the LTSCALE system variable, which changes the linetype scale globally for both new and existing objects.

The Current Object Scale value controls the CELTSCALE system variable, which sets the linetype scale for new objects.

The CELTSCALE value is multiplied by the LTSCALE value to get the displayed linetype scale. You can easily change linetype scales in your drawing either individually or globally.

Sets the linetype scaling for new objects relative to the LTSCALE command setting. A line created with CELTSCALE = 2 in a drawing with LTSCALE set to 0.5 would appear the same as a line created with CELTSCALE = 1 in a drawing with LTSCALE = 1.

CAD Standards Issues:

Define what you will allow or demand in these settings.  The application of differing settings to these will make you files hard to decipher when used by others.  It will also make it hard to figure out goofy looking linetypes if you let CELTSCALE be used too often.

Specifically define your LTSCALE and verify that it is always the same on every file.

Show example screen shots of each area of the border and define what goes where.

Showing users exactly what they expect to see when a Title Block is added and filled in will help tremendously. Don’t leave it to them to guess.  Make notations as to what each area of the Title Block is supposed to contain and convey.

Include exact fonts and sizes for all text that the users may be placing.

Example text that could be included in your standard:

When referenced, the insert point for the titleblock/border file is 0,0,0 in Paper Space.

A titleblock attribute text block will be provided. Included in this block will be the typical symbol blocks and text styles required to annotate the plot/sheet file.

Titleblock entities will be placed the G-ANNO-TTLB layers. Typical layers for the titleblock will be G-TTLB, G-TTLB-ANNO, G-TTLB-KPLN & G-TTLB-GRID.

The key plan will be located in a space above the Issue Block area. Place the key plan on layer G-TTLB-KPLN.

Matchlines will be placed in Paper Space. It may be necessary to also place matchlines in model files, so other disciplines can find the matchlines.

North arrow and scale(s) will placed in the lower right hand area of the drawing area, just left of the Sheet number.

Project Managers and those that interact with the client take the brunt of these discussions. They are in the meetings with the clients and owners. If the client is the one that catches these mistakes - it makes them look pretty bad. You don’t want to have that happen very often. They can come back from meetings with a very sour attitude.

Reviewing Your Border

Take the time needed to fully define and refine your border files. If you have a standard company border that is used on every project, then get it perfect. Review the look and feel issues fist. Does it have all the info needed? Does it reflect the current locations of your firms offices? Does it look like it was created in 1950? Is it time to change the look? Does it reflect the current format of other collateral that your firm uses like letterhead layout, logos, fonts, etc.?

Now that the look is defined then take a long look at the layers you are using. Keep them as simple as you can. Reduce the layers that you use to the most minimal that get the job done. Use color to your advantage. If you are using CTB for plotting then don’t let the layer colors stray from something simple. If you are using STB, then make the colors pleasing on the eye.

Reduce the fonts and linetypes used. Does it use non-AutoCAD standard fonts? Are you using TrueType fonts that may not reproduce on other folks plotters and screens? Consider using PLINE for thickness and not color. Consider gapping CONTINUOUS lines in place of linestyles which can be impacted by someone changing LTSCALE.

Is the Logo an Image? Most CAD packages are handling images better, but I would still consider redrawing your company logo in CAD and not using an image file. The image files are usually externally referenced into the files and can be left behind when transmitting the deliverables.

Cleaning up the File

Now that you have reviewed and perfected the look and layers - Clean the file up. Leaving artifacts from unused data clutters the file up. Take an extended time period to get all the junk out of the file. PURGE the file to death. WBLOCK it out to another file. Check REGAPPS. Check residual fonts, layers and more. Check it, Check it, Check it. Clean it, Clean it, Clean it.

Once it is clean (you did clean it - right?) put it into a central location and lock it down. Do not let users fiddle with the standard file. They may copy it into their project location, but they should not adjust any of the standard border graphics or data.

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20 characters maximum (not including filetype extension).
Common image file extensions will be .TIF, .JPG and .BMP. Image files are placed into the Sheet folder and referenced only to Sheet files. They may also be referenced to Model files as needed.

Standard: ZPPAD-**************

Z: Identified the file as an Image file to be Attached to other files.
PP-: Project identifier (2 characters) (Optional)
A: Phase identifier (Optional) (1 character or “-“ (hyphen))
D-: Discipline (1 character)
*****: File description (14 characters)

Examples:

ZSC-A-KEYPLAN.JPG
ZA-DOOR102.TIF
ZA-SLABJOINT.BMP
ZG-LOBBY-NORTH.JPG

File Description Options:
o bldg identifier/number
o interior
o exterior
o equipment type
o location of picture
o direction of view

Here is the information they provided to me…

Venue/Location: Live and OnDemand Formats
Date: Starting June 23, 2009 through November 30, 2009
Register Now by visiting www.bentley.com/BeConnected

Bentley Systems’ Be Connected online seminar series gives architects, engineers, builders, geospatial professionals, and owner-operators a chance to learn about applying information modelling from some of the world’s leading infrastructure practitioners.

The conference series begins on June 23, is free of charge, in both live and OnDemand formats, and takes the place of this year’s Be Conference.

Be Connected offers two types of online seminars:

1) Best Practices Seminars. Presented by leading infrastructure professionals around the globe, these sessions bring a project perspective on best practices for the design, construction, and operation of specific types of infrastructure projects, including a series of seminars on each of the following: bridges, cadastre and land development, communications, electric and gas utilities, high performance buildings, mining and metals, oil and gas, rail and transit, roads, and water and wastewater.

2) Product Seminars. Presented by Bentley’s product executives and designed for both current and prospective users, these technology-focused sessions demonstrate the latest features and capabilities of Bentley’s comprehensive V8i software portfolio for sustaining infrastructure.

14 characters maximum (not including file type extension)

Standard: PPAD-TT-LLL_R

PP: Project Identifier (2 characters) (Optional)
A: Phase Identifier (1 character or “-“) (optional)
D: Discipline (1 character)
“-“: hyphen
TT: File Type (2 character) (Optional)
LLL: Sheet Number (3 characters )
_R: Revision suffix – (Optional 1 character and placeholder as required)

Examples:
PC-A-FP210.dwg = Pima County, Architectural, Floor Plan, Sheet 2.10

S8AC-PR615.dwg = Santana segment 8, Phase A, Civil, Profile, Sheet 6.15

A-201.dwg – Arch Sheet 201 with no optional characters