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Continuous, dashed and chain lines each meaning something different.
Also known as: Line conventions, Hidden detail line, Chain line
Every line on an engineering drawing has a defined meaning set by its thickness and pattern: continuous thick for visible edges, dashed for hidden detail, long-chain for centres and thin continuous for dimensions. The line type is data, not styling.
Assign meaning by line weight and pattern: thick continuous for visible outlines, dashed for hidden edges, chain for centre lines and thin continuous for dimensions and hatching.
Contexts: Technical drawing
Make the pattern itself information, so redrawing a hidden edge as a solid one changes what the drawing says about the part.
Contexts: Technical drawing
Straight lines drawn variously as unbroken, evenly dashed, or long dashes alternating with single dots.
The chain line is one of the defined line types.