Labeling Strategy Properties

A labeling strategy contains settings for the content, the layout and the arrangement of a label.

Add / rename the labeling strategy

The list of labeling strategies can be modified. New strategies can be added or existing strategies can be renamed.

Button Function
Define a new labeling strategy. A new item is inserted into the list and changes can be made to it from the controls.
Rename a labeling strategy. The current settings are saved under a different name.

Set the label position

The label position is set using the options in the "Text direction and combining labels" area.

Parameter Description
Max distance
  • Combines labels such that the distance does not go beyond MaxDistance in millimeters (or inch) on the drawing.
Text direction
  • Sets t he text orientation in the reference system. Orientations can be between -90° and 90°.
Place along the object
  • When checked, the label is placed along the object.
Arrange beam label according to compass
  • Configures the labels to show the members orientation by arranging the label to point on the beam end (based on the shop drawing orientation)
Definition of the leader line
  • Sets the underline options. Two options are available:

Underscored Text only

Set the label content

The label content can be defined using the label designer in the "Label content" area. Options for the format definition (font, frames, colors etc.) are also available.

Setting the label type

The label type is selected from the Label content drop-down list. The list of label types can be modified. New types can be added or existing types can be renamed.

Button Function
Define a new label type. A new item is inserted into the list and changes can be made to it from the controls.
Rename a label type. The current settings are saved under a different name.

The Used for objects option states for which model objects to apply the definition. This setting influences the selection of the label style on the tree panel after opening a drawing style.

Example:

For bolts, the Used for object option lists Bolt or All objects.

Setting the label format

Select a font type, size and color. Optionally a boundary around the text may be used:

  • Select a boundary. Four boundary types are available:

    Option Boundary Example
    Rectangular
    Rectangular with fillets
    Hexagonal
    Circular
  • Set the boundary distance from the text.

In the preview area, the text is displayed, as it will appear on the drawing. The preview area only displays the text and not the formatting.

A label contains a combination of individual variables and additional texts.

Click Variable to set the label content as variable.

Meaning Model objects Variable
Section name Beams %ProfName
Number of members Beams %RodCount
Material Title, Beams, Plates, Bolts, Shear Studs, Special Parts %Material
Coating Title, Beams, Plates, Bolts, Shear Studs, Special Parts %Coating
Name (Denotation) Title, Beams, Plates, Bolts, Shear Studs, Special Parts %Denotation
Part mark Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts, NC %PosNum
Length Title, Beams, Plates, Bolts, Holes, Shear Studs %Length
Width Plates %Width
Thickness Plates %Thickness
Bolt standard Bolts, Shears Studs %Norm
Bolt diameter Bolts, Holes, Shears Studs %Diameter
Hole diameter Bolts %HoleDiameter
Number of bolts Bolt, Holes %BoltCount
Assembly group Beam, Plates, Special Parts, NC %Assembly
Commodity Beam, Plates, Bolts, Shear Studs, Special Parts %ItemNumber
Vertical depth Holes %SunkDepth
Others Title, Beams, Plates, Bolts, Special Parts %Note
Single part mark Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts, NC %SinglePartPosNum
Main part mark Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %MainPartPosNu
Hole type Holes %Role
Thread (left-hand / right-hand) Holes %Tapping
Bolt assembly Bolts %Set
Head diameter Holes %HeadDiameter
Countersinking angle Holes %Alpha_e
External name 1 Beam, Plates, Bolts, Special Parts %ExtName1
External name 2 Beam, Plates, Bolts, Special Parts %ExtName2
External name 3 Beam, Plates, Bolts, Special Parts %ExtName3
External name 4 Beam, Plates, Bolts, Special Parts %ExtName4
Quantity Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %Quantity
Name Title, Beams, Plates, Bolts, Shear Studs, Special Parts %Name
Position Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %Position
Quantity in main part Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %MainPartQuantity
Scale Title %Scale
Date Title %Date
USDate Title %USDate
Time Title %Time
Day Title %Day
Month Title %Month
Year Title %Year
Hour Title %Hour
Minute Title %Minute
Sign ø Title %%c
Sign % Titl %%%
Sign ° Title %%d
Sign ± Title %%p
User Attribute 1 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr1
User Attribute 2 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr2
User Attribute 3 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr3
User Attribute 4 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr4
User Attribute 5 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr5
User Attribute 6 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr6
User Attribute 7 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr7
User Attribute 8 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr8
User Attribute 9 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr9
User Attribute 10 Beams, Plates, Special Parts %UserAttr10
Model role Beam, Plates, Bolts, Special Parts %Role
Assembly Length Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %AssemblyLength
Flange Thickness Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %FlangeThickness
Web Thickness Title, Beams, Plates, Special Parts %WebThickness
Axis Length Title, Beams %AxisLength

Special symbols can be inserted using ASCII codes. To insert a symbol, a number combination must be entered with the ALT-key being pressed.

Symbol ¢ µ ½ ± ¼
Code 155 230 171 241 172
Attention: These codes apply only if the standard font is used. If using another font via the formatting #Font, the same codes result in different symbols. This also applies for other special symbols.

The available symbols are found in the Windows Character Map accessible from the Windows start menu (Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Character Map).

Setting the label arrangement

  • Select an arrangement method. Two options are available:
Arrangement method Description
Based on angles
Based on areas
  • Select an arrangement strategy from the list. To configure an arrangement strategy click Set .

Modify the arrangement strategy

Figure 56: Label arrangement

Select a label-placing rule from the list. The existing rules can be renamed and new rules can be added.

The names of the rules contain the searched angle range.

Button Function
Define a new label type
Rename a label type

Arrangement options

  1. If, in the iterative steps, an accepted position is found, the following steps will not be checked. This may save time but it does not always give an optimum position.
  2. If, in the range between MinDistance and MaxDistance, no position can be found, the basis position will be selected (usually the object center).
  3. View the complete detail view (global) for the position search or view only the local object to be labeled.
  4. The preceding sign of the moving direction is not being considered therefore less iterative steps are necessary.

Label arrangement relative to object

Three options are available:

Button Function
Arrange in the center of the object by ignoring steps
  • The label is centered and the iteration steps are ignored
Arrange in the center of the object using steps
  • The label is centered using the iteration steps
Do not arrange in the center of the object
  • The label is placed using the iteration steps

Manage the iteration steps

The toolbar contains all the necessary management functions:

Button Function
Add an iteration step
Delete the selected iteration step
Move the selected iteration step up
Move the selected iteration step down

Set the search angle and the minimum and maximum distance for each iteration step.

This option defines the search direction (angle) for a free position. This option is dependent on the system settings in AutoCAD â (Menu format - Units - Direction). By default, 0° is in the East and it is measured anticlockwise.

This option defines the smallest distance from the object that is allowed.

This option defines the largest distance from the object that is allowed.

Parent topic: Labeling Strategies