# Difference between pens in line styles?

**URL:** <https://community.thinkgeo.com/t/difference-between-pens-in-line-styles/10431>\
**Category:** WPF\
**Created:** [March 21, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://community.thinkgeo.com/t/difference-between-pens-in-line-styles/10431 "2024-03-21T19:16:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 4

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**Author:** ![ThinkGeo\_Products](https://community.thinkgeo.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/6de8d8/32.png) [@ThinkGeo\_Products](https://community.thinkgeo.com/u/ThinkGeo_Products)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.thinkgeo.com/t/difference-between-pens-in-line-styles/10431/4 "2024-03-26T15:11:46Z")

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Hi @Dan_Weaver,

Thanks for the code samples and screenshots. You’re correct in assuming that you really only need the OuterPen, if you look at the LineStyle constructors you’ll see the CenterPen and InnerPen are optional.

I’ve tried your exact code with my own line data and it works just fine (see the screenshot below from the HowDoI railroad data using your exact code:

 ![image](https://community.thinkgeo.com/uploads/default/original/3X/a/4/a455c8ae16adbb3e0af55b74df0a56146239cfab.jpeg)

As you can see, both the dash pattern and end caps look as expected.

I wonder if your data is already smaller lines and a combination of your specific data and the transparent OuterPen may be causing issues. It’s like your line data is already dashed into individual small lines? You may want to play around with one of the shapefiles like the Railroads in the HowDoI samples and I think this will clarify what’s going on. Or, you can send me your line data and I’ll look into it here.

Regarding your question on the LineDashStyle.Custom, yes, it allows you to define your own pattern. Check out Kyle’s reply (post #3) from this [thread](https://community.thinkgeo.com/t/custom-line-dash-style-power-line-rail-road/10067/3). It will give you some more insight on how the LineDashStyle.Custom works.

 ![image](https://community.thinkgeo.com/uploads/default/original/3X/f/5/f5b027db4ad76e71c3c1fddf872da82ab0ab9a58.png)

Let me know if this clears things up. Or, go ahead and send your line data to [support@thinkgeo.com](mailto:support@thinkgeo.com) and we’ll take a closer look.

Thanks,  
John

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