Annotate and Dimension

Create notes, labels, and dimensions.

Multiline Text (MTEXT)

You create general notes using the multiline text (MTEXT) tool, alt which is available in the Annotation command list (or enter MT in the Command line).

After you start the MTEXT command, you are prompted to create a "text box" with two diagonal clicks. The exact size of the text box is not that important. After you create the text, you can modify the size of the box by clicking the text object, then using the blue grips to change the area.

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Enter text in the text field and choose a text height. The text height is consistent with the units in the drawing, meaning if you set the height to "100," the text height will be 100 units in the drawing.

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To exit the text editor after you finish entering the text, click anywhere outside it, or click the check mark.

To edit a note, simply double-click it to open the text editor.

Multileaders (MLEADER)

Multileader objects are used to create text with leader lines such as general labels or reference labels.

To create a multileader, use the MLEADER command. Click the Multileader tool in the Annotation panel or enter MLD in the Command line. Follow the prompts and options in the Command window.

After you create a multileader, select it and then modify it by clicking and moving its grips.

Grip menus appear when you hover over arrowhead and leader grips.

You can edit the text in a multileader by double-clicking it.

Dimensions

Create several types using the DIMENSION command, located in the Annotation command list, or by typing DIM in the Command line.

Here is an example of several types of dimensions using an architectural dimension style with imperial units.

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Linear Dimensions

You can create horizontal, vertical, aligned, and radial dimensions with the DIM command. The type of dimension depends on the object that you select and the direction that you drag the dimension line.

The following illustration demonstrates one method for using the DIM command. Once you start the command, select the line (1), and then click the location of the dimension line (2).

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For the 8'-0" dimension below, you use another method. You start the DIM command, click two endpoints (1 and 2) and then the location of the dimension line (3). To line up the dimension lines point 3 was snapped to the endpoint of the previously created dimension line.

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Use the DIM command to create dimensions that are parallel to an object by dragging the dimension line at an angle rather than horizontally or vertically.

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Tip: Because it is easy to accidentally snap to the wrong feature or to part of a dimension object, be sure to zoom in closely enough to avoid confusion.

Modify Dimensions

For simple adjustments to dimensions, nothing is faster than using grips.

In this example, you select the dimension to display its grips. Next, click the grip on the dimension text and drag it to a new location, or click one of the grips at the end of the dimension line and drag the dimension line.

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Tip: If the changes are more complicated than this, it might be faster simply to delete and then recreate the dimension.

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