Annotative Text and Text Mask

[Chaznsc]

When I apply a text mask to my annotative text style, the text vanishes with the mask. Am I doing something wrong?

chaz_

[AlmasSuljevic]

Hi chaz,

The only thing that comes to mind right now is that the text went behind the mask. See if you can use Draw Order (Type DR command) select mask and put it back. 

[Chaznsc]

It does appear the text is behind the mask but because it binds the two objects the draw order command doesnt resolve this.

[Joe-Bouza · Accepted solution]

instead of usin a text mask, try using "background mask in the properties of the text

[Chaznsc]

Joe,

That does work, albeit its not as conveneint to apply as a text mask.

chaz_

[IanMcClain]

Note that you can select multiple pieces of text and change the Background Mask Properties for all of them at the same time. I don't think you can add text masks to multiple pieces of text at once.

[Chaznsc · Accepted solution]

I appreciate the help here.

What I did was added a BGM to one set of notes then used a MATCH PROP command to apply to the others.

Thanks for everyone's input.

chaz_

PS: You can add a TM to multiple text selections.

[Joe-Bouza]

Please select "accept solution" so other readers may be aware of your solution

[Anonymous]

Based on my clients preference.....both options are unacceptable ....a HUGE WHITE BOX behind text....especially  everywhere.... it's soo old school....my clients are distracted when they see a MASKED BACKGROUND .......they prefer a true TEXT MASK....something TIGHT....and SEXY.

Ttake a look at my sample screenshot.

Notice the text and how the mask wraps all around that text. To do this.....you need to be familiar with your PEN COLORS....and it's sooo easy to do. Start with 1 dynamic text componant.....copy/name the copy with ".MASK"....change the order of components so the ".MASK" falls below the original text componant from which you copied it from.

1 dynamic text component will dynamically MASK the same dynamic text component....I believe this is genious! don't you think?

I simply copied my original text component and chose to set a color to mask the original text component.

[Sinc]

The big problem with that trick is that it doesn't work so hot with True Type Fonts.

We've been hoping for years for at least a background mask that will "shrink to fit".  We often find that we can't use background masks because they block out too much area that has no text and obscures too much of the background unnecessarily, so we end up drawing wipeouts behind our labels.  And of course that has other problems, such as not changing scale with the text.

But given how long we've gone without linetype generation on Survey Figures and Feature Lines, we figure it will be ages before anything happens on this front, if ever.

[JimFolkers]

It's quite disingenuous that this unsolved problem is marked "Solved" twice... when it's not solved at all. A clunky workaround that only works in some situations is not a "solution"! Do you work for the government?

[Joe-Bouza]

@JimFolkers, Did you realize that this post is 7 years old?

The solution to use "Background Mask" instead of the old technology of "text masking " is completely viable, and its not a work around - it how the software intended it to be done. Why is it not appropriate for your work flow? 

[Discussion_Admin]

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@JimFolkers wrote:

It's quite disingenuous that this unsolved problem is marked "Solved" twice... when it's not solved at all. A clunky workaround that only works in some situations is not a "solution"! Do you work for the government?

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This is an old post but just for our purposes here in the community " solved" marked by the OP works under these conditions as it solved their issue. If the solutions provided do not help you make anew post and refer back to this one so folks know this does not help "you"

Thanks
Discussion_Admin

[JimFolkers]

Read responses by mlouis and Sinc. You're saying they are expressing satisfaction with the method?

James

Please note when replying via email any signature used by your email client will be added to your post as with any other email.


Thanks
Discussion_Admin

[Discussion_Admin]

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@JimFolkers wrote:

Read responses by mlouis and Sinc. You're saying they are expressing satisfaction with the method?

James

Please note when replying via email any signature used by your email client will be added to your post as with any other email.


Thanks
Discussion_Admin

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Never mentioned anyone other than the original poster as it is up to them weather or not it worked as I stated in my earlier post.

A solution was found for the original poster and that is acceptable under the Accepted as a Solution requirements.

It's up to the user to decide if it worked for them or not.

Thanks
Discussion_Admin

[Jeff_M]

@JimFolkers, it sounds like you are wanting a Halo text background. If this is the case, please go vote for the idea on the Ideas page:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-civil-3d-ideas/wheres-the-text-halo-text/idi-p/5872771

[JimFolkers]

Exactly! Thank you so much for your constructive help!

James A. Folkers, RLS

[Joe-Bouza]

Those two responses were off topic i.e halo masking. The solutions accepted were from the OP based on their requirements that did not mention Halo masking. 

[JimFolkers]

Off topic? You're saying that halo masking is not a form of text masking?

James A. Folkers, RLS

[Joe-Bouza]

Not at all. I'm saying the op asked about text masking as available with the software,  other users brought Halo technology into the picture. The op never acknowledged the Halo and accepted the OOTB methods. The suggestion to abandon the Express tool old technology in favor of background masking was satisfactory to that user.  Five years later you were dissatisfied and were looking for halo technology although you never mentioned it until Jeff pointed it out. So I had no idea, hence my first response

Point is @Chaznsc was not disingenuous, he selected the solution available. Maybe you are not aware but the forum is a peer to peer exchange these are not solutions penned by AutoDesk. They are from users like you and I.

Cheers