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Annotation Shapes

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Written by Ashok P
Updated over 11 months ago

This topic describes some of the shapes in the DT Annotations stencil.

annotation shapes.png

Smart Title Block

In the DT Annotations stencil, there is a shape named Smart Title Block. When the user drops the smart title block on the page they will have access to 48 fields of date, file, page, project, and company information by using the Shape Data UI.

With this shape, the user can easily build custom title blocks that will automatically populate with whatever project information the user feels is relevant. The fields we are tracking are:

How to Use

Drop onto the page, and make sure the Shape Data UI is showing. Choose the field value you want to display on the drawing. The software will reconfigure the shape with the new data and field label.

You can add whatever custom label text you want by entering the new text in the custom field label field of the shape data UI.

For example, if you want the Resources field to say Designer instead of Resources just type "Designer" in the Custom Field Label area.

Shape Features

  1. Multiple date formats

  2. Auto text box-sizing

  3. Manual text box sizing using the yellow control handle

  4. Automated field labeling

  5. Custom field labeling

  6. Auto font sizing based on page scale

  7. Connection points enabled for easy alignment of shapes (tip, grab close to where you want the shape to glue to the other shape)

Shape Caveats

The values that are in the shape WILL NOT update automatically. For example, if you add a project manager to a job in the Si forms after you have configured the project manager title block the new information will not update unless you change it to another field value using the Shape Data UI and then change it back.

Universal Dimension Shape

The single Universal Dimension shape works on all sides of an object you want to measure and works with all measurement units. In addition, there are now up to 0.0000 user-defined levels of precision. The previous dimension shapes required a separate shape for each side of an object and did not work well at metric measurement units.

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How to use the Universal Dimension Shape

  • Drag onto the drawing page and attach the extent to a shape you want to measure.

  • Explore the Shape Data UI and right-click menu to set options.

  • Use the control handle or the right-click Set Dimension commands to set the shape to the proper alignment.

The default measurement unit settings are set to Auto (page units). This means that whatever the page is set to the shape will assume those properties. The default precision unit is set to 0.0. Both can be easily changed.

Smart Callout Shape

The Smart Callout shape is a customizable shape that reads the custom properties of any shape to which it is attached.

While you can drag the Smart Callout shape to a page and manually attach it to a shape, we recommend right-clicking the shape you wish to add the Smart Callout shape to and selecting D-Tools > Shape > Add Smart Callout.

right click add smart callout.png

This will open the following form where you can use the arrow buttons to choose the fields you wish to display on the shape in the order you want them to display.

smart callout properties interface.png

Once you've made your selections, click Save and Close.

The Export/Import buttons can be used to save configurations for future use.

export import buttons.png

When you export you will be prompted to name the configuration.

export smart callout prompt.png

When you import, you'll be able to select from any saved configurations.

import smart callout configuration form.png

On the import form, you can also edit the names of the configurations or delete them if you no longer need them.

edit and delete buttons.png

Once on the page, you can right-click the Smart Callout shape and select Configure if you wish to make changes to the fields that display.

right click configure option.png

Shape Data Window

All user adjustments to the Smart Callout shape are accessed through the Shape Data window.

To display the Shape Data window, click the View tab then select "Shape Data" from the Task Panes dropdown.

shape data.png

shape data properties.png

Show Leader Line - Default = True. Show or hide the leader line.

leader line.png

Auto Width - Default = True. The Smart Callout shape will automatically resize to accommodate the text. With either choice, you can always use the control handles to manually adjust the size of the text box.

control handle.png

Style - Default = Box. There are four text box styles illustrated below. Box, No Outline, 1 Line, 2 Lines.

style options.png
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