topic Re: Do you use annotative objects? in AutoCAD Forum

Do you use annotative objects?

LDRCADBIM — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:56:40 GMT

Any engagement here is appreciated!

I would like to gather data about how many acad users are leveraging, or overstepping, the annotative objects feature.

I favor drafting annotations at 1:1; then manually scaling by factor in model space as needed. Result: Annotations in model space vary in scale but appear identical through each view's respective viewport.

I've received drawings which bypass scaling annotations altogether by drafting them on the sheet.

I've also received drawings which leverage annotative objects, however, they seem unwieldy and inefficient. I do admit, however, to having little experience with them. Hence my inquiry to better inform my development.

What do you do?

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

pendean — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:18:16 GMT

@LDRCADBIM wrote:

...I've also received drawings which leverage annotative objects, however, they seem unwieldy and inefficient...

How so? Elaborate please.

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

LDRCADBIM — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:01:50 GMT

Certainly.

First of all, I always draft 1:1 within MS. And I wish to continue annotating in MS as well.

Prior to understanding that each annotative object has "installed scales" at which it has a visible instance, (which if selected to be the active scale, will dynamically adjust accordingly,) I would seek to set or change my drawing scale to one outside of the installed scales, expecting it to simply "adopt" whichever I had selected.

Now, I've also come to learn that moving forward, there are ways to "include all scales," or just "selected scales," as well as ways to manage these preferences but I've not learned any details pertaining to this yet.

But more to the point, I'm curious if you find one method to be better or worse for your own use of the software?

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

pendean — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:24:40 GMT

@LDRCADBIM wrote:

...First of all, I always draft 1:1 within MS. And I wish to continue annotating in MS as well...

We all do, as do the majority of AutoCAD users on the planet: if I may ask, why would you assume otherwise?

Is the file you found challenging to use not drawn at 1:1 in modelspace?

Or are you confusing this annotative scale setting in modelspace as somehow not drafting at 1:1? they are unrelated.

Annotative text/dims/objects satisfy a particular need for those content creators that uses Layouts and Viewports to convey their design intent in many print scales to the recipient that will build/implement/manufacture their design.

Not every content creator needs that ability either: it literally is user option. neither is right or wrong, not everyone is going to work in AutoCAD like you, or me. That's the beauty of using AutoCAD: it allows for creative use of the product to bend to the user's will.

Next time you receive such a DWG file, go into their layouts, double-click any of the different scaled viewports they use, and you'll be 'in modelspace" inside that viewport, that will help you get more comfortable with the concept.

PS: next time you find a DWG from an outside source challenging, I recommend you and the file creator/sender communicate with each other about workflows and processes: I suspect each of you will see the others point and may be in a better position to help each other out for you to complete your tasks in their files.

Best wishes.

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

paullimapa — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:22:56 GMT

Prior to having the Annotative feature in AutoCAD one method to show multiple scales whether they be Grid Bubbles or Text labels and especially Dimensions you would have to have multiple instances placed on top of each other and on different layers so they can be turned off or on as needed to be shown in the respective scaled vport in a layout. Another method as you mentioned would be to have the instances placed in each layout at 1:1 scale. But both require additional coordination. The first method changes would have to be made to the multiple instances on the different layers. The second method can be even more challenging because there’s no connection between the objects on layout to those inside the model space vports. So the Annotation feature is supposed to eliminate all of these coordination pitfalls by having the same object that’s given the properties to address the possible various scales that might appear whether in Model or a Pspace vport. You’ll just have to familiarize yourself on the setup.

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

murray-clack — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:59:26 GMT

I wrote my company a tutorial on using annotation scaling. Feel free to check it out

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

dany_rochefort — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:20:55 GMT

@LDRCADBIM Personally no, i don't use Annotative and all my work is done in 1 viewport which corresponds to my template. I scale up my details and manipulate the dimlfac accordingly.

Re: Do you use annotative objects?

paullimapa — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:36:07 GMT

I see this is written back in 2012 which shows that not much has changed with the Annotative feature added since AutoCAD 2008. Your instructions are very well written. I would have added some mark-ups on the dialog boxes just to make it clearer as to what you're referencing. But overall, very good job!!!