Text balloon

This command allows you to display text information in a balloon that points to a specific area of the drawing.

Access

• Click the icon in the Annotations tab.

Or

• Type "Balloon" in the Quick Search field and then press Enter.

Procedure

1. Select the appropriate Filters options.
2. Click on the reference element to position the arrow of the text balloon.
3. Select the type of balloon in the Filters section of the Options tab:
• Circle: Full circle with one text string.
• Two text: Circle divided into 2 sections (a main and a second text string).
• Three text: Circle divided into 3 sections (a main, second and third text string).
• Box: Rectangle with one text string.
4. Click on a point to draw the leader.
5. If necessary, click on other points to draw the leader with multiple segments.
6. Press the [T] key or click the Properties icon. This allows you to enter and configure text after validation.
7. The Dimension properties dialog box is displayed.
8. Enter your text and define parameters (See Dimension Properties).
9. Click OK to validate and close the dialog box.
10. Right click to validate.

Circle. Two text. Three text. Box.

Dimension Properties

General Values Tab

The content of this tab changes according to the type of text balloon:

Circle

Box

 

Remember settings	Activate this option to save your current settings.
Text	Enter the text string in this field. You can use keyboard shortcuts to add special characters: [F4]: Diameter symbol. [Shift] + [F4]: Degree symbol. [Ctrl] + [F4]: Plus-minus symbol for tolerances.
Second text default	Enter the second text string in this field. This field is available if you have selected the Two text or Three text option. You can use keyboard shortcuts to add special characters: [F4]: Diameter symbol. [Shift] + [F4]: Degree symbol. [Ctrl] + [F4]: Plus-minus symbol for tolerances.
Third text	Enter the third text string in this field. This field is available if you have selected the Three text option. You can use keyboard shortcuts to add special characters: [F4]: Diameter symbol. [Shift] + [F4]: Degree symbol. [Ctrl] + [F4]: Plus-minus symbol for tolerances.
Height	Enter the height of characters in this field. It is disabled if the Fit text in balloons option is activated.
Width	Enter the width of characters in this field (only for static text). It is disabled if the Static proportional text or Fit text in balloons option is activated.
Char gap	Enter the distance between each character in this field. It is disabled if the Static proportional text option is activated.
Rectangle height	Enter the height of the rectangular text balloon in this field. This option is available if you have selected the Box option.
Rectangle base	Enter the length of the rectangular text balloon in this field. This option is available if you have selected the Box option.
Circle radius	Enter the radius of the balloon in this field.
Max number of segments	Enter the maximum number of segments, between 1 and 3, for the leader in this field.
Fit text in balloons	Activate this option to adjust the text size to the balloon.
Text attribute	Select the text attribute in this drop-down list: Underline, Overline, etc.
Select font	Click this button to define the font parameters.
Static proportional text	When this option is activated, proportional text is applied; the width of characters is calculated as a ratio relative to the height of characters.

Attributes Tab

Remember settings	Activate this option to save your current settings.
Colours	Select the text colour.
Arrow style	Select the arrow style for the leader.

Editing Existing Text Balloons

When activated, this command also allows you to modify existing text balloons.

Editing the Leader

1. Run the Text balloon command.
2. Select the corresponding text balloon.
3. Click on a characteristic point to modify its position.
4. Drag the cursor to the new position and click.
5. Right click to validate.

Selected point. New point position.

You can add segments to the text balloon:

Note:

• You cannot add points to a leader which already has 3 segments (maximum number).

1. Run the Text balloon command.
2. Select the corresponding text balloon.
3. Click on the last point.
4. Click on other points to draw the leader with multiple segments.
5. Right click to validate.

Selected point. Added point. Added point.

Editing Text

1. Run the Text balloon command.
2. Select the corresponding text balloon.
3. Press the [T] key or click the Properties icon.
4. Enter your text and define parameters (See Dimension Properties).
5. Click OK to validate and close the dialog box.