CAD > Insert > Text

This section describes the commands associated with text entities. A text entity consists of one or more 2D alphanumeric characters and symbols which are normally specified via the keyboard. A text entity is inserted or changed subject to default or selected options. These options include font (style of characters), height, width, angle, slant, line and character spacing, justification, boxed, underlined, overlined, plot-sized, model or drawing.

A text entity can be inserted in several ways:
• at a specified point
• dynamically to the screen
• at an angle defined by two points
• parallel and associated to a selected line entity
• parallel and free from a selected line entity.

Not all these options are available from the Pulldown Menu. For the rest of the options, turn on the right hand menu and go to CAD > Text.

The text options of height, width, slant, spacing and justification are not related to the currently active CPL, but to the text entities themselves. Several text fonts will already exist but new text fonts can be created. Normally text entities remain on the CPL on which they were inserted for any selected view. Drawing text entities will always appear on a plane parallel to the screen and only in the view in which they were inserted.

A point entity, associated with a text entity will always appear at a location selected for the text entity. The text entity is located relative to that point entity using the point for the justification options assigned to the text entity. The points are not reproduced when text is plotted.

A maximum of 10 different text fonts can be used in one database model/sub-figure.

Text Insert

The Text Insert sub-menu allows the insertion of specified text entities and text nodes. A text entity can be inserted in several ways:

• point location
• dynamic point location
• at an angle defined by 2-points
• scaled between 2-points which also defines the angle
• only the width component scaled between 2-points which also defines the angle
• parallel and associated to a selected line, circle or arc entity
• normal to a selected line entity
• parallel and free from selected line entity.

Text entry is via the Enter Text dialog box for all Text Insert commands except the Dyn Point command.

The text entity is orientated such that the width and height are aligned with the X and Y axes of the current CPL respectively.

When selected, the Enter Text dialog box is enabled allowing the text to be specified. The defaults drag selection is active and the text entity will appear dynamically with the cursor movements. This assists in the accurate location of the text entities.