Unstable Multiline Attribute Text Size

[Anonymous]

Currently having an issue with several annotative blocks which use multiline text attributes. I used these blocks for years without problem but now am having issues with them. Using AutoCAD/Civil3D 2018 on Windows 10 Pro Version 1909.

The blocks are annotative, the text attributes are set to a nonannotative text style. When I insert them into a drawing in model space, they appear as intended and the text appears at the correct default size as defined by the block. However, if I close and reopen the drawing or try and insert it as an xref in another drawing, the multiline text suddenly appears about 16 times its original size. Weirdly, its size as described in the Properties tab of the Enhanced Attribute Editor window shows its original size and not its apparent size (i.e. the properties tab size says the text height is 3.2 drawing units which should be the correct size but it is erroneously being drawn with with height of 51.2 drawing units). This does not occur with single line text attributes existing in the same block.

I'm finding when I open drawings from closed projects that completed years ago, this issue appears to be retroactive and messes up old drawings using this and similar blocks as well.

[pendean]

>>>...The blocks are annotative, the text attributes are set to a nonannotative text style...<<<
Why are they not both annotative, or non-annotative? What issue you are trying to avoid with this setup?
Are you sure your issues are not just related to this unusual configuration you have set? That's what it looks like to me in your images.
Or is your STYLE in the block called "standard" and in the DWG files you bring this block into the style "standard" has a different size setting?

Any reason you are not posting this block in a problem DWG file here for all of us to see?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply.

In my experience including annotative objects within annotative blocks leads to odd scaling and drawing issues - i.e. if the block is set to an annotative scale that is not included in the implicit annotative object, the annotative object will disappear from the block. I've found that when developing the block, it generally produces the least problems when text/attribute objects are set to a nonannotative text style, in which case they scale proportionally with the block at any annotative scale.

In this case, all attribute text in the block is set to created nonannotative text styles "Verdana" or "Tahoma", which consists of Verdana or Tahoma Font set to a default height of 0 (nothing set to Standard text style). Again, the block also contains single line attribute text objects which use those same styles but do not exhibit the same issue. Only multiline attribute text objects have this scaling issue, and only when I reopen the drawing or try to xref the drawing into another. When I first insert the block and modify default attribute multiline text appears fine as intended.

Attached is the dwg file with the faulty block inserted towards the bottom. Apologies for not attaching before, I rarely post on the forums so I wasn't aware that that was what's generally done.

[pendean]

Thanks for the DWG file: if I simply set your CANNOSCALE to 1:1 then back to your 3/4"=1'-0" your block fixes itself. My guess is you have (or had) ANNOAUTOSCALE variable not set to 4 (or set to a negative number) and that's the fix.

Give it a try.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help.

I followed your instructions and it seemed to fix the problem initially. However when I closed and reopened the drawing the multiline text was again scaled out of proportion, and this fix no longer seemed to work. Additionally this solution doesn't seem to help when the drawing with the block is inserted as an xref into another drawing, the multiline text appears similarly scaled out of proportion.

[pendean]

Did you also change the variable as I noted? That was not optional.

Did the variable setting change back when you reopened the file?

I am not able to replicate your close file/open file problem-is-back issue here: do you have a startup (or add-on that has a startup) that is doing more than you desire?

FYI I am not using C3D nor 2018, just plain AutoCAD 2021 and AutoCADLT2021.

See attached.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I set AUTOANNOSCALE to 4, changed the CANNOSCALE to 1:1 then back to 3/4" = 1". The first time I did this, it seemed to fix the problem and restore the attribute text to its intended size.

When I closed and reopened the drawing the multiline attributes again appeared scaled overlarge upon opening the drawing. AUTOANNOSCALE was still at 4, but changing the CANNOSCALE to 1:1 then back again still made the multiline text appear scaled overlarge.

I actually saved and reopened the drawing again, and this time upon opening the drawing the multiline text was scaled even larger - now instead of being 51.2 drawing units tall instead of 3.2, it was 819.2 units tall.

It looks like the multiline attribute text is scaling up by the CANNOSCALE of the drawing every time it is opened, saved, and reopened (3/4" = 1'-0" being a 1:16 scale so it scales up by a factor of 16).

[pendean]

Test with the file I reposted above, still an issue?
As noted, I am unable to replicate your issue here, what am I not doing other than closing AutoCAD2021 then restarting it to open your file?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I think I've found a solution!

I checked my Autodesk client for updates and found an update for AutoCAD 2018, "AutoCAD 2018.1.2 Combo Security Hotfix". When I run AutoCAD 2018, it actually runs as "Civil3D as AutoCAD 2018", as I believe I only have Civil3D license. I thought my application was up to date but may have missed this one as it was listed as an AutoCAD update not a Civil3D one and didn't appear under the Civil3D tab of my Autodesk client, I had to find it in "My updates" where it was listed as an AutoCAD update.

Installed the hotfix and the block seems to be functioning normally now.