[Gnuplot-info] Select dot/dash pattern for predefined line styles

[Markus A. <mas...@go...>]

Hi,
I try to figure out whether it is possible to define a set of preferred 
line styles, and occasionally switch to another dot/dash pattern while 
keeping all other settings.

Say, I have a default with
 > set style line 1 lt 1 lc 1 lw 2
and want to use it except to switch to some dot/dashed line.
 > plot sin(x) ls 1 lt 2
does obviously not work because it will use all definitions of
linetype 2, and
 > plot sin(x) lt 1 ls 1
gives an error.

Moreover, if I redefine linetypes with
 > set linetype 1 lt 1 lc 1 lw 2
 > set linetype 2 lt 1 lc 2 lw 2
the dot/dash-pattern number 2 becomes entirely inaccessible, because it 
would be addressed with "lt 2" which was set to the dot/dash-pattern 
number 1.

I could only find a 9+ year old devel-mailing list discussion whether a 
"dashtype" keyword should be considered for implementation. My only idea 
left would be to use macros, but I find that a bit cumbersome.

Am I overlooking something?

Thanks in advance,
Markus