Change the order of stacked text in Label Style Composer

[garyZ8EE3]

I have created a Spot Elevation label style that will show both the surface elevation and [Reference Text] point elevation of the Cogo point. (Image Attached) However, when I use the Stacked option (S), it places the surface elevation at the top of the label. I would like for it to look like the original (O) Cogo point label. The composed (C) option put the text in the correct order, but they have two separate borders instead of one. Does anyone know how I can reorder the text in the Stacked option or combine both text in the same border? Since there is no reference text option for Cogo points as of yet, this my only workaround.

Thank you

[MMcCall402 · Accepted solution]

The stack order will be in the order in which those components were created in the label style.

[Neilw_05]

My workaround is to make copies of the components in the order you want them. Each copy is added at the end of the series so you build the stack by adding each copy. Then you delete the originals. See this post: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d-forum/re-order-label-style-components/m-p/4663569

[KirkWM]

I never, knew! Thanks for sharing 👍

[ChrisRS]

I think @Neilw_05  has given you the solution.

Interestingly, his method is both elegant and brute force.

There may be cases where you want to stick with "As Composed" in dragged state.
For that case, here is an alternate workaround to take care of the border issue:

It appears that you have a normal label component (Spot) and a reference text component (COGO).

1. Add a placeholder line to "Spot" so that the border expands to make room for "COGO"
   • Edit the "Spot" component Text Contents
     • position to the end of the line and press enter (carriage return)
       (Last line if this is a multi line component)
     • Type a space character. (this line cannot be empty)
     • Make sure that border visibility is set to True.
     • The preview should show the taller border with room for a new line at teh bottom.
2. Anchor the "COGO" component to the "Spot" component
• General >> Anchor Component: "Spot"
• Genera >> Anchor Point: Bottom Left
• Text >> Attachment: Bottom Left
• Border >> Visibility: False
• The preview should show the "COGO" text floating over the "Spot" text in the extra line area.
3. Set Dragged State >> Dragged State  Components: As Composed

 This workaround provides good fidelity when in dragged state.
Possible Problem: If the reference text line is too long it will extent outside the box.
Work around:  Right click "Edit Label Text ..." select "Spot", pad end of line with non-breaking spaces [Alt]+0160.
(Regular spaces with a final non-breaking space will work as well.) 

[Neilw_05]

Hi Chris,

Nice idea. I've never liked the As Composed label option since the leader does not flip when the label is dragged to the left of the reference point. Some folks end up creating a one label style for left and one for right and apply accordingly. What a pain this label option is. If the leader would flip it would solve several problems. The big one is how to stop labels from rotating to fit the view. The only way is the "as composed" option, but the leader behavior makes that not a good solution either.

[ChrisRS]

There is plenty of room for improvement in C3D labels.

Autodesk seems to feel that they are good enough.

Leader switching is an obvious gap.
With midpoint osnap on I usually just drag the leader vertex when required rather that managing left and right label styles. (Left and right styles are required if you are worried about text alignment or block elements.) 

 

[lynn_zhang]

Thanks everyone for your insights!  

@garyZ8EE3 Have you had the chance to try the suggestions from our experts above? Did any of them help solve your problem? If yes, please click on the "Accept as Solution" button in their reply so this helps other users in the community find the solution too. Thanks!

[garyZ8EE3]

Thank you. I have a bad habit of over thinking a situation. From your suggestion I realized that all I had to do was to delete the default surface component and create two reference texts (1 for Cogo Point & 1 for Surface) and place the reference text for the Cogo Point on top of the reference text for the Surface.