topic Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects in AutoCAD Forum

Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:42:46 GMT

This may sound odd, but I am experiencing unusual troubles. I've recently started a new position where my predecessors used a lot of External References to piece an overall building together into one Master file. In these XRefs, they used the same blocks that would appear in various viewports with different scales. Apparently, they did not know about Annotative Objects. Ergo, I have spent a LOT of time adjusting the blocks to read correctly.

Now, I've got most of the text in these blocks to be only visible if the viewport scale is 1/16" or below. It has been working fine for a month. But today when I opened the Master file, who's viewport is set to 1" = 40'-0", all of the annotative text appeared at 1" = 40'-0". Figuring it was a graphical issue (my system has a lot of those), I closed without saving. It did it again upon reopening. Furthermore to my horror, I checked the reference files and most of the blocks now had the 1" = 40'-0" scale added to their list! WHAT?! HOW?!

So, I fixed a couple of the blocks, saved, and went back to the Master file. Reloading the XRef fixed the problem so I continued to fix the other blocks (thank goodness for a CAD Library). However, it still begs the question of why. What could cause this and how can I keep it from happening again? Since I handle several multi-building facilities, this could potentially cause weeks of unnecessary work.

Before you ask: Yes, I've checked the FQA and online help. Yes, the Annotation AutoScale is always OFF because I have drawings that are very high-level overviews while others are enlarged for a lot of detail. In fact, I hide it so I cannot accidentally hit the toggle. The AnnoAllVisible is set to 0 (so only the proper objects display according to the current scale). Furthermore, I've checked every Annotative variable I can think of and several I found online that I had never heard of.

It should be mentioned that my system has a history of unusual behavior. For instance, I had to create a button to constantly reset the OSnapOverride back to 0. Despite that 0 is the default, the system keeps setting it to 1 for some unknown reason. Maybe the real issue is AutoCAD setting odd variables that I have never needed to change in the past?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Jeanne

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

RobDraw — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:42:00 GMT

If you have inherited this computer with these errant settings and there is no company standard for these, it might be prudent to reset AutoCAD to it's default settings and remove any and all customizations or do a complete uninstall and reinstall. It might save a lot of hunting.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:48:39 GMT

That's good advise. We reinstalled the system when I started in October
(IT totally wiped the system) and have reset it back to default a time or
two since. We have no idea why these little oddities keep
happening...with various variables, etc.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

RobDraw — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:52:48 GMT

I've never really had a need for annotative scaling through XREFs but can only imagine that it would be quite difficult to manage. That may be why I avoid even trying to get it to work.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 18:00:39 GMT

I agree with the KISS method...wholeheartedly. My application comes from
not wanting to have duplicate (or triplicate) pieces of text to edit when
changes occur. Folks might be surprised how often facility planners love
to move departments around for better efficiency or to add a new line of
product.

Thus, in the past this method has saved me a lot of time changing various
types of text (rack, worktable sizes, department names, etc.). But for
some reason, it just doesn't want to work this time.

I truly appreciate any advise.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 20:41:53 GMT

Just a guess, but try setting annoautoscale to 0.

See >link< for info on this system variable

Hope this helps

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 12:10:39 GMT

A couple thoughts about this article:

First, does this mean that when I add a scale to the Annotation List in the
bar, AutoCAD will automatically add it to all the annotative objects? I
often need to add civil scales since they are not in the default list.
However, I had set the viewport up weeks before this happened. I had
noticed AutoCAD adding annotation scales with the _XREF suffix (i.e. 1" =
40'-0"_XREF) as I worked to create and modify the original annotative
objects.

Secondly, as I look at this link, the article notes that it's saved the
Registry. As the user, I do not have Registry permissions. But could
something from the IT Department that rules the Registry cause changes in
AutoCAD default system variables?

Incidentally, the ANNOAUTOSCALE was set to -4 (is that the default?). I
will not pretend that I understand all the nuances or differences between
the settings, but I've reset it to be 0. I'm willing to try anything to
keep from having to rework entire buildings of annotations.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

pendean — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 13:50:31 GMT

FYI...a minus sign in a setting in AutoCAD means it is off (the digit simply reminds you of what it was set before it got toggled off). Zero also tends to kill a setting.

Why not take the time and look up ANNOAUTOSCALE in HELP and explore what all it can and cannot do.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

cadffm — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 19:21:05 GMT

Default list

1. You have access to the default list, open your OPTIONS dialog and you will find the default scale list.

2. Do not edit existing scales (create new or edit&RENAME)

3. Use senseful names,

Inch_1-40

1:50mm

Or what you need, but not only 1:20.

Re: Annotative Issues: File Automatically Adding New Scales to Objects

RonaKiernan — Thu, 22 May 2025 16:42:55 GMT

Hi Jeanne, I am manage the CAD standards for a Civil Engineering and Land Surveying firm. We are currently using Civil 3D 2024 and have recently begun experiencing an issue, similar to what you described, where multiple scales are automatically added to the drawings, despite that we have ANNOAUTOSCALE set to -4 (which is the default value) and that we have not change the scale of the drawing. This has been happening in multiple drawing types (created from different templates). I have not found a solution yet but in an effort to at least reduce the number of scales being added to the annotative entities, I have advised our CAD users to, once the drawing scale is set, delete all other pre-loaded anno scales from the scale list prior to referencing the drawing into another drawing. I hope this helps at least a little...