Martin,
Need a reply. Using the file you attached, if a display override is placed to turn off the visibility of insulation, any duct labels drawn thereafter are on a different layer and color. Why are these two different components seemingly linked?
Thank you, in advance.
Are you by chance opening this in 2011? I noticed that then I open my 2010 file in 2011 that the LK's I defined are no longer there... I'm not sure why that is, but I've logged an issue.
No, I am working with all in 2010. I don't understand why turning off insulation visibility in an override would have any effect on labels. Layer keys in my template are set up similar to your example. Regardless of using my template or your example, the problem is the same. Another thing that is twisting me in knots is how by just adding the word "label" before new layer key styles does any system definition know to use that layer key when labeling. It works. But, how? I ask because now, per your example, I have changed the layer for the out-of-the-box layer key, Label; but, this is now changed for all labels, including piping and electrical.
In AutoCAD MEP 2010, the steps are as follows.. we'll assume I'm creating a outdoor air system.
Open "DuctLabelExample.dwg" from my original post.
Open Style Manager
Browse to Multi-Purpose Objects > Layer Key Styles > MEP Object - AIA 256 Color
On the Keys tab, scroll down to LABEL
Note there I have keys defined with the appropriate resultant layer settings.
Create a new Key named LABEL-OUTDOOR.
Layer M-HVAC-DUCO-TEXT, color 112
Browse to HVAC > Duct System Definitions
Select Exhaust, Copy/Paste it
Rename Exhaust (2) as Outdoor
On Design Rules tab, change Abbreviation to OA
Change Layer Key to M-SY-DUCT-OUTDOOR_AIR
Change the Minor 1 override to DUCO
Click OK
Add a duct for the outdoor air system... label should be on M-HVAC-DUCO-TEXT
The system doesn't know to use the 'LABEL-RETN' key explicitly... it does, however, know that it is creating the layer M-HVAC-DUCR-TEXT based on the LABEL key + the system overrides. It finds the layer key associated with the layer M-HVAC-DUCR-TEXT, and it just so happens to be named LABEL-RETN, and generates the layer accordingly... the key could be called 'CYP4ER' in thsi case as far as AutoCAD MEP is concerned.
I am not disputing any of those steps. I have noticed that the only way to have insulation on a duct system shown is to have the option pre-toggled before drawing any ductwork. However, if you want the insulation off later, you can go into the display properties for that system(s) and turn off insulation. Once you do this, if you continue to draw and any new ductwork, those labels will now be on a different layer and color.
To turn the insulation off later (to remove it), simply select the duct segments/fittings, and in the properties palette, under Advanced, set the insulation to 0.
As far as why that changes your labels, I am not able to reproduce, so can you provide either more explicit steps (or perhaps grab Jing (http://www.jingproject.com/) record a capture of the screen, and post a link to the video, and post your version of the file.
Attached is your example. I drew new ductwork w/ insulation, exhaust system, in the shape of an 'M.' Copied this to the right and applied an override to the duct system definition, exhaust, and turned off insulation and insulation - hidden. Then, continued drawing ductwork and got the label you see (attached).
In the file you posted, in the Exhaust system definition, on the Design Rules tab, there is no longer an Override for Minor 1, this is why the Layer for the label is defaulting to the layer per the 'LABEL' key. Can you identify exactly what step in your process this was removed?