MTEXT "box" is at least 10 times longer than I want it. AutoCad 2021

[streutkerr]

I have used AutoCad 2021 for about 2 years.  In previous version AutoCads, I would want some MTEXT, make a "box" the MTEXT would fit in, type the MTEXT, and everything would work fine.  Now for the last 2 years, I want some MTEXT, make a "box" the size I want, and then it makes the box at least 10 times longer than I want.  Not a crisis, but annoying and a time waste.  Is there some sort of setting to avoid that issue?

[pendean]

Is the box 10x too long, or is your text size 10x too small?
OR are you just zoomed out too far?

Turning off any running osnaps may help as well.

We will need your DWG file and an explanation on how we can replicate your issue if you want more guidance please.

[streutkerr]

Thank you for the fast reply!  I typically "Clear All" Object Snap settings, but it is common that it sets it back to End Point or Intersection.  I usually (but not always) do MTEXT in Model Space.  I pick the MTEXT size, and it typically makes it much smaller than I want, and the "box" way way too long.  And then I have to Scale up the MTEXT to the proper size, and adjust the "box" size to what I want.

[streutkerr]

Are you an employee for AutoDesk?

[pendean]

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@streutkerr wrote:

Are you an employee for AutoDesk?

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Everyone here is an end-user just like you: these forums are peer support.

[pendean]

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@streutkerr wrote:

Thank you for the fast reply!  I typically "Clear All" Object Snap settings, but it is common that it sets it back to End Point or Intersection.  I usually (but not always) do MTEXT in Model Space.  I pick the MTEXT size, and it typically makes it much smaller than I want, and the "box" way way too long.  And then I have to Scale up the MTEXT to the proper size, and adjust the "box" size to what I want.

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So you never set your desired text styles in STYLE or TEXTSIZE before you create your MTEXT?

Or do you just need to do that first?

[streutkerr]

Thank you for the reply! To be honest, I am often (but not always) not
attentive initially on the text size: it typically wants to make it at 1/8"
tall, which is good for Paper Space, but usually wrong for Model Space.
But to me, it doesn't explain why it wants to make the "box" a mile long.
I have been using AutoCad since 1987, and I haven't had that problem until
a couple of years ago. But I still have plenty to learn. The company I
work for is often worried about other companies getting our company
secrets, so I am kind of paranoid about sharing an AutoCad drawing.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @streutkerr 

It's hard to evaluate your situation without a screenshot, video or thorough explanation describing your issue. The forum will have to guess and hope something offered will work. Here are three options:  

1. Double click on the arrows circled in red.

2. Change DEFINED WIDTH in the Properties Palette by manually entering a smaller value.

3. Select all mtext objects=>go to Properties Palette=>with all mtext still selected=>Make Defined Width=0

[brian.strandberg]

Exactly.  +1 like.

[edwin.prakoso]

Do you use the same drawing template as in the older version? You probably use a metric template or unitless template instead of an imperial.

[streutkerr]

 I appreciate your patience and persistence, and thank you for replying.  Please check out the attached screenshot; it was made in Model Space.  I went to make some MTEXT, and it made the box at least 20 times longer than I wanted it.  I know how to then manually adjust the length of that box, but it's a hassle having to do that every time.  I was able to figure out how to change the box through Properties; but you have to have MTEXT already entered before changing it; I find it easier to grab the right hand portion of the MTEXT box and shorten it.  When I did MTEXT in Model Space through a View Port, the MTEXT box was so long, it was much wider than the View Port, so I could not adjust it through the View port.

[pendean]

@streutkerr What is your TEXTSIZE set to? Your screenshot could be several issues:

1) Are you actually drawing your mtext window rectangle smaller than your screenshot? Then your 1/8" text size when you are many miles high above your modelspace content like that has MTEXT scaling the window (it's a display only feature) so you can actually read the words you are typing. That's normal behavior.

2) if you are not actually drawing your mtext window rectangle, then you just have a preset.

3) If your TEXTSIZE was at least as tall as that -S007 text in your screenshot first, your MTEXT window rectangle is not likely to get much wider than you drew it.

It seems you are just observing normal behavior, not much else, due to your textsize settings.

[streutkerr]

Yes, I made the MTEXT "box" at least 20 times shorter than it turned out.
I made it the length I wanted it, but AutoCad ignored that, and created a
box way way too long.  The text height was set to 1/2" tall.

[pendean]

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@streutkerr wrote:

...The text height was set to 1/2" tall.

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In modelspace, that's your problem as discussed several time already, especially if that is your text file in paperspace but you go inside a viewport to add teeny-tiny text in modelspace. AutoCAD is behaving normally.

[streutkerr]

Thank you for replying. Perhaps what you are saying is accurate, but I
never had this issue until I started using AutoCad 2021, and I have used
AutoCad for decades.

[pendean]

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@streutkerr wrote:
Thank you for replying. Perhaps what you are saying is accurate, but I
never had this issue until I started using AutoCad 2021, and I have used
AutoCad for decades.

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Since nothing about mtext and viewports have changed much in AutoCAD over those decades, perhaps it is time for you to share an actual DWG file with included steps on how to replicate what you see as a problem (then find a DWG file that does NOT do this?).

[streutkerr]

Thank you for your continued patience. Hopefully the attached AutoCad
drawing makes it to the forum. To me it is odd the 1/2" tall and 1/4" tall
MTEXT "box" works like I want, and the 1/8" tall MTEXT made a much longer
"box" than what I asked for. In my experience, it typically does not work
like I want.

[user181 · Accepted solution]

Hi @streutkerr   It appears that your mtext is starting with columns. Unless you are using columns set the variable MTEXTCOLUMN to 0 and new text shouldn't do that. You can also turn off columns in existing mtext by double clicking and on the ribbon turn them off. You will still need to resize existing mtext. 

[pendean]

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@streutkerr wrote:
...Hopefully the attached AutoCad
drawing makes it to the forum. ....

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You have to come to the website to share files.

[streutkerr · Accepted solution]

Per user181, I set MTEXTCOLUMN to 0 (it was previously 2); tried it several times.  It's working fine so far!  You guys are awesome!