topic Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh in Inventor Forum

Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

chuck.bardsley — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:34:12 GMT

How does everyone tackle the issue of placing Qty's next to balloons? Please post your screenshots.

I don't like the split balloon option. My image shows a few sketch symbols that I've created which allows me to depict quantities.

I can only search the forums for so long. I've found similar questions going back over 14 years. Sad that Autodesk hasn't solved this yet.

Right side shows sketch symbols used

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

SBix26 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 21:30:04 GMT

I'm guessing this is not high on the list to be "solved". I've never seen a drawing annotated this way or used anything like this. Are there ideas posted in the Inventor Ideas forum that address this? If you don't find any there, create one yourself. Whatever you find, post a link to it in this topic so people can vote for it.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2023.2.1 | Windows 10 Home 21H2

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

cadman777 — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 01:25:19 GMT

I just use a leader and delete the leader line.

It attaches all around the balloon.

All values are manually entered.

There is nothing automatic or parametric about what I do.

This subject has been discussed recently in a number of variations.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

-niels- — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 10:30:46 GMT

I've always been under the belief that balloons are just indicators and their quantities are to be found in the parts list.
I usually balloon identical parts when i want to indicate that they are the same.

That said, i probably would use the "attach text to leader" option to add quantity if i really had to.
(i use this now to indicate profile sizes that can't be directly found in our parts lists)

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

ampster40 — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:48:05 GMT

cadman, you do not need to delete the leader.

Select a quadrant of the balloon to attached the leader text to and then hit Enter to begin entering text. Click finish when done. It will not add a leader to the text but instead simply display the leader text next to the balloon.

Take note however depending on which side of the balloon you want the leader text to be attached to and add a space within the text window to space the text away from the balloon.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

Frederick_Law — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:19:37 GMT

I just use balloon style.

I mostly use this on frame. Showing member size and count.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

snguyenSWVMS — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:20:28 GMT

I like to use the balloon with item on the top and qty. in the bottom.

I want to know if there is a way to add an (X) at the end of the QTY.

Thanks

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

B_MARPET — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:39:41 GMT

THIS IS MY METHOD TOO. EASY AND CLEAN.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

B_MARPET — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 22:53:50 GMT

THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS METHOD IS THE QTY ISN'T VERY "STICKY".

(IF YOU MOVE THE BALLOON OR STRING OF BALLOONS THE QTY (WHICH IS REALLY JUST LEADER TEXT)

WON'T MOVE WITH THE BALLOON OR STRING OF BALLOONS.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

dan_inv09 — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:40:09 GMT

Are you sure that you are using leader text?

The leader text should move with the item (in this case the balloon) that it is attached to.

Are you just pointing your leader out in space somewhere in the vicinity of the balloon?

somewhere between those points (all along the top and down the side, across the bottom and along the other side) you will see a little symbol when you are attaching to the balloon [my screenshot tools are not letting me capture it so I have faked it in paint]

at the midpoint (like that top balloon)

at the corners (like that bottom balloon)

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

dan_inv09 — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:54:38 GMT

Now, I'm not exactly sure how you make a balloon symbol ...

okay, my quick attempt looks like it just assumes it's a split balloon and slops your sketched symbol on top of it.

(I thought you could make a circle and tell it to put the item number in there then put an x and tell it to put the quantity next to that.)

Maybe we'll get lucky and someone who has worked with User-Defined Symbols for balloons will happen along and show us how to do it. Cross you fingers.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

snguyenSWVMS — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 13:20:05 GMT

There is a way to add (QTY.) to balloon but I use it for long time and I hope Autodesk come up an automated to incorporated into the balloon command like Solid Work doing for long time.

The way I use to do is design symbol in drawing template link the balloon qty. in the text after insert the balloon then insert the symbol it snap around the 4 point of the balloon circle.

It is an extra step to do.

I hope Autodesk will add this to balloon step turn on the qty. or not turn.

Re: Quantities next to Baloons...sigh

B_MARPET — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:38:36 GMT

THANK YOU FOR THE SUGGESTION.
WOULD I HAVE TO MAKE ONE FOR EACH QTY (2), (3), (5), ETC?
(NOT THAT IT'S OFTEN OTHER THAN (2))