Sanitary/Storm Profile Labeling Question

[Anonymous]

I've been experimenting with labeling structures and pipes in Civil 3D. I've
been trying to get the labels to look like our company standard labels. I've
been able to come close with band labels. On my pipe labels I need to be
able to move the length/slope labels when the run is to short for the label
to be placed between the structures, I can't move the text if I use a band
style and I can't get the a regular pipe label style to appear correct. I've
attached an image of what I want to be able to do. I'd appreciat any
suggestions on if it's possible to get a label style setup that will do what
I need or maybe we'll just have to adjust our standard labels.


--
Kevin Schafer
MHS Inc
LDD 2007, C3D 2007

[kcobabe]

I think until Autodesk gets with the program and notices that some people may need to attach to the end of a part or on possible 2 sides of a part like a dimension the only way to do it is with a dimension.

Right now the only way to even get to the end of a pipe is by dragging the attachment point. I orginally though the pipe dimension may allow attachment to the ends of the pipe, but all that thing does is screw up you label. Message was edited by: kcobabe

[Anonymous]

I was able to get a dimension look using a pipe band but the band doesn't
allow me to move the labels if on a short pipe run. The band works great if
you have all long runs that the text fits between.

I was hoping I had just missed something. I thought in the pipe label style
that you could use the pipe start and end or the end structure or start
structure as the attachement point like you can in a band style.


--
Kevin Schafer
MHS Inc
LDD 2007, C3D 2007


wrote in message news:5438855@discussion.autodesk.com...
I think until Autodesk gets with the program and notices that some people
may need to attach to the end of a part or on possible 2 sides of a part
like a dimension the only way to do it is with a dimension.

Right now the only way to even get to the end of a pipe is by dragging the
attachment point. I orginally though the pipe dimension may allow
attachment to the ends of the pipe, but all that thing does is screw up you
label.

Message was edited by: kcobabe

[Anonymous]

Pipe labels don't have an option for connecting directly to the ends of pipes. However, you can place a flow direction arrow component into the label and it will stretch to the ends of the pipe. This arrow will now provide the needed end point anchors. (same idea as end anchors for parcel segment labels) The problem I've been having is getting from these end points to something in a horizontal of vertical direction. Everything I attach keeps taking on the rotation/slope of the pipe. .... currently stumped on what to try next ...

[kcobabe]

Nope the only points you are given are the mid points of the centerline, inner top, inner bottom, outer top, & outer bottom. The pipe dimension is for cross sections only and that is why it screws up your label when you use it.

I know what you are talking about with the bands. I think you will still have to create a dimension for this.

[Anonymous]

Not quite sure exactly what you're after, Kevin, but this link (http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5264473) will kick you through to a discussion I had with Peter Funk about a similar set-up. He came up with the nifty drawing in there that I've since adapted for our office. Maybe it'll be helpful for you.

That said, it's not perfect by a long stretch and you might be curious to read what others have identified as shortcomings that need to be addressed, i.e. that don't have effective workarounds at present. The best thread I can think of for that is http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=520634.

HTH,
Trevor

[Anonymous]

I was able to get a band style setup with the look I want the problem is
that I can't move text on a short pipe run to pull it outside the labels. I
appreciate the links I hadn't seen the one between yourself and Peter Funk

I've attached a screenshot showing what I have been able to do with bands in
Civil 3D and it is would work great if I could move the text in a band style
to be readable.


wrote in message news:5439242@discussion.autodesk.com...
Not quite sure exactly what you're after, Kevin, but this link
(http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5264473) will kick you
through to a discussion I had with Peter Funk about a similar set-up. He
came up with the nifty drawing in there that I've since adapted for our
office. Maybe it'll be helpful for you.

That said, it's not perfect by a long stretch and you might be curious to
read what others have identified as shortcomings that need to be addressed,
i.e. that don't have effective workarounds at present. The best thread I can
think of for that is
http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=520634.

HTH,
Trevor

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I got to a similar point before talking to Peter. His solution is dodgy as anything, requiring as it does a no-plot profile traced over the pipe profile run, but in terms of getting a semi-dynamic display that looks right, it works, and there's a lot to be said for that.

Here's a shot of what I can do with a project I finished just before christmas. You can move these individual profile labels, even change the Style of each one if you so desire, meaning you can have a standard label style and a "squashed" label style on the same PV if you need.

Yeah, it's a workaround rather than a solution, but it might help in the short-term or until 2008 SP1A is released (assuming I'm not being unreasonably optimistic; I'm relying on weight of numbers in the Wishes DG).

Trevor

[Anonymous]

For what its worth, I was able to produce this (see attached) with pipe labels. I just can't figure out how to get the information to go horizontal instead of inheriting the pipe's slope.

[Anonymous]

You can't, Mark, hence Peter's workaround. It's well and truly on the wishlist.

Trevor

[kcobabe]

That's what happened when I tried as well.

[Anonymous]

I assume you used the flow arrow object in the pipe label to achieve this
look. I tried this but couldn't seem to get the flow arrow to go anywhere
besides right down the middle of the pipe.


wrote in message news:5439315@discussion.autodesk.com...
For what its worth, I was able to produce this (see attached) with pipe
labels. I just can't figure out how to get the information to go horizontal
instead of inheriting the pipe's slope.

[Anonymous]

You assumed correctly. With the flow direction arrow using as the anchor component and the anchor point set to 'Pipe dimension'. The label can then have a property set to offset the label above or below the pipe by a specified distance, or, set at a certain elevation. It's a shame it won't go horizontal when pulled away from the pipe.

The only thing I can think of at this point is using a two part solution. Use the pipe band to create the dimension lines and the pipe labels for the text. The short pipes could then use a different label style that suits their length better. (like stacked into more lines or offset with a leader) Not the greatest, but at least it'd be using dynamic components.

[Anonymous]

I hadn't really thought of that but that sound feasible, and would still be
dynamic. Currently I have a vba program that does the labels for me by
selecting the text that LDD places and reformats it but I don't think I
could use it because the text in the pipe label is different. I'll probably
test your idea for the time being and hope that AutoDesk offers more options
with the next release

thanks for all the help


--
Kevin Schafer
MHS Inc
LDD 2007, C3D 2007
..

wrote in message news:5440343@discussion.autodesk.com...
You assumed correctly. With the flow direction arrow using as
the anchor component and the anchor point set to 'Pipe dimension'. The
label can then have a property set to offset the label above or below the
pipe by a specified distance, or, set at a certain elevation. It's a shame
it won't go horizontal when pulled away from the pipe.

The only thing I can think of at this point is using a two part solution.
Use the pipe band to create the dimension lines and the pipe labels for the
text. The short pipes could then use a different label style that suits
their length better. (like stacked into more lines or offset with a leader)
Not the greatest, but at least it'd be using dynamic components.