ADDING A BACKGROUND MASK TO AN ATTRIBUTE WITHIN A BLOCK

[johnyPZ57P]

Is there a way to add a background mask to a Mtext attribute within a block. The "background" option does not show up in properties. The goal is for the block with its attributes to hide the drawing lines underneath the block.

I can add a background when adding the text to the attribute field, select the text after entering it, in the Text Formatting contextual menu select the arrow to the right, and add a background to the selected text. But this is a manual step each time.

I attached a copy of the Block.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @johnyPZ57P 

Yes, there's a way. You can add a background mask to your existing block.

You'll need to take your block to the Block Editor and change the existing attribute from a single line attribute to a multiline attribute.

The 'mask' feature is NOT available for single line attributes.

1. While in the Block Editor, select your attribute=>Properties Palette=>Multilines=>YES. Exit the block editor making sure to save the changes when exiting.

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2. Back in modelspace, you'll need to update your block. Go to Insert Tab=>Synchronize Icon. Make sure to read the command line for instructions during the sync. (Warning: If you previously moved your attribute labels prior to taking it to the Block Editor then your labels may move back to their original 'default', or the 3 o’clock position, when running this sync. If that’s the case, you’ll need to move the attribute labels back to their ‘custom’ positions after sync is completed. Yeah, I know, it's a PITA, but that's the price you pay for changing from single line to multiline and not making Multiline Attributes during the initial block creation procedure.)

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3. After syncing, you can access the Background Mask through the Enhanced Attribute Editor. The procedure begins by clicking the ellipsis (the button with 3 little dots). FYI, the ellipsis is only available for Multiline attributes, not single line.

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4. Attribute with a mask.

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Hint:

You'll need to click the ellipsis (button with 3 dots) in the Enhance Attribute Editor to make changes to Multiline Attributes, such as correcting a typo error, adding more text, etc., etc. However, you can BYPASS the attribute editor and the ellipsis by using CTRL+double left click which will give you a blinking cursor where you can make your changes.

The CTRL+double clicking makes it behave like single line when it's really multiline.

Alternatively, you may select the block, then in the Properties Palette, scroll to bottom and make changes directly in Props Palette under the Block section. 

[antony.vargheseHYUF4]

thanks for such a detailed response. Very helpful.

[draftingZH7FK]

Thank you for that writeup @ChicagoLooper. The thing I, for some reason, never noticed was the "Border offset factor" which slims down the extent of the background mask, but also adjusts the text border if it's turned on.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @draftingZH7FK 

Yes, that border is handy and under your control. You can not only use a MASK for attributes contained in your block, but you can also use a border with plain mtext objects too.

For example, you can place mtext on a layout tab (Paperspace) then add a background mask and a border. Next, add linework and symbols next to your mtext and create a legend. If you use a dedicated layer to host your legend, you can use the Layer Properties Manager to control the border's thickness. Just select the right font so the mtext itself won't react lineweight. Your border, however, will appear thicker or thinner depending on layer lineweight.