Video: Using the Annotative property to automatically size multileaders

You were probably wondering about this and you were right. Multileaders can also be annotative. In this lesson we are going to learn how to create predictably sized Multileaders in our drawings. On my screen I have an architectural example, this is a drawing of a proposed medical office, and I would like to create some Multileaders to label some part numbers of the furniture in a typical Exam Room. Before I do that, I want to verify the plot scale of this drawing, so let's take a look at the layout that I am interested in. I say that because there are two layouts in this drawing.

Join Jeff Bartels as he covers the most important features of this industry-standard drafting and design application in AutoCAD 2011 Essential Training. This course begins with a tour of AutoCAD's interface and the tools used to create basic shapes. It then focuses on the methods used to modify and refine geometry while emphasizing accuracy and good habits to build a solid design foundation. The course covers using layers, line types, and colors to organize a drawing file and explains how to efficiently annotate a design and prepare it for final output. Throughout the title, Jeff shares industry techniques used in production and reinforces concepts using practical examples. Exercise files are included with the course.

Using the Annotative property to automatically size multileaders

You were probably wondering about this and you were right.Multileaders can also be annotative.In this lesson we are going to learn how to create predictably sizedMultileaders in our drawings.On my screen I have an architectural example, this is a drawing of a proposedmedical office, and I would like to create some Multileaders to label some partnumbers of the furniture in a typical Exam Room.Before I do that, I want to verify the plot scale of this drawing, so let's takea look at the layout that I am interested in.I say that because there are two layouts in this drawing.

Layout OV1 is an overall presentation of the entire facility and layout ER1focuses on a single exam room.This is the view where I would like to display my callouts.If I look right down here, I can see that my drawing is displaying at a scale ofone half of an inch equals a foot (1/2" = 1') knowing that, I am going to returnto model space and I am going to create an annotative multileader style.I will open up the Annotation panel, and then I will open the Multileader Style Manager.

I will click New and then I will give my style a name Annotative Multileaders.My style will be starting with the same settings as the standard style.I am going to put a check in the Annotative box to ensure that my new style isannotative and then I will click continue.Now I can adjust the settings for my new style.Just like with the Dimension style, any time you see a size setting, you want toset this to the size you want your leaders to appear on paper.

All of the sizes are paper sizes.I am going to start on the Leader Format tab and I would like to change the sizeof the arrowheads, let's make these a little smaller.I will set these to 1/8".Then we will go to Leader Structure, I would like to change the length of thelanding distance that's the line right here, let's set this to 1/8".Finally, I will go to the Content tab and let's make our text size smaller.

I will make this 1/8".When I am finished adjusting my settings I will come down and click OK.Notice that my new Multileader style has the annotative icon next to the name.This means that this style will size itself automatically to match my plot scale.If I look up here I can see my new style is current, so I will come downhere and click Close.I will then set my Annotation scale to match my desired plot scale.The plot scale I am interested in is 1/ 2" = 1' and I will start by creating alabel for this tool.

I will launch the Multileader command, I would like to point this to nearest tothis line and I will enter my callout.Let's create one more label for this exam room table.Alright these look pretty good, let's go back to the layout and take a look.

As you can see, these callouts are sized appropriately for this layout.Now let's do a scientific experiment. Question.will these callouts show up on the other layout? Answer.no, they won't.Annotative objects will only display at the plot scale for which they were intended.This means that you can put all of your callouts on a single layer, regardlessof size, and they will only show up in the ViewPorts where you want them.From this point on it would be a good idea to make all of your multileaderstyles annotative, if you do this, your Multileaders will always be legible, andthey will be consistently sized on all of your plots.

Q: Despite following the tutorials, I am having trouble in AutoCAD Architecture 2011. I cannot copy basic line drawings of simple architecture from one file to another. I tile two AutoCAD documents open simultaneously and click on a geometry, let go, click again and hold and try to drag to the second document, but to no avail. What could be causing the problem?

A: There are a few possible solutions. At the command line, type "PICKFIRST" and press Enter. Make sure this variable is set to 1. If the value is set to 0 instead of 1, this would result in the problem described. Having PICKFIRST set to 1 (normally the default setting for "vanilla" AutoCAD) allows you to select an object first, and then launch an editing command (like Move or Rotate or Erase). Thus, you can work in both directions. Launch the Editing command first and then select objects, or visa versa.

If PICKFIRST is not the issue, the problem might be something native to AutoCAD for Architecture, as there are some differences between that version and plain AutoCAD. Don't forget, you can also move geometry from one drawing to another by using Copy/Paste. Simply select your geometry and right-click, select copy, then click in your other drawing, right-click, and select Paste. Note that the Copy/Paste options are also available on the Home tab of the Ribbon. Copy/Paste should work regardless of your PICKFIRST setting.

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