Drawing arrows like polylines
A sketch of what you want will be very useful.
Are you looking at single or multi segment polylines?
Do you need to accommodate arcs?
Do you wantw just an arrow at the end, or arrowheads spaced along the line? If you are using multi-segment polylines, do you want an arrow head at the end of each segment? Do you want any text call-outs at the center of each segment?
Christopher Stevens
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Better multimsegment.
No arcs isn`t useful.
Arrowhead must be for exemple 10 millimeters from begin or end of polyline segment. To center direction.
What do you mean "nerrow head"?
No any tests. I need signs like in picture.
Accepted solution
"nerrow head" is a typo. I corrected it to "an arrow head."
@АлексЮстасу is correct that an AutoCAD based solution is to use blocks.
There is also a Civil 3D based solution, using line labels.
Neither solution is automatic. The AutoCAD based solution is not dynamic. The Civil 3D based solution is dynamic.
A sample drawing is attached.
Both of these solutions require that the polyline be on a non-plot layer.
The AutoCAD Solution
- Create an annotative dynamic block that contains the arrow.
- Place the block wherever you want it.
- Option 1 ,"-Arrow align" is a sample block that contains an alignment constraint.
- When this block is placed it will align to the object it is snapped to.
- It is tricky to use. Placing this block defaults to snap "Nearest." You will need to manually specify "End." Snapping to a random point on the line, then dragging to the end point works.
- This is not dynamic; If the polyline moves, the arrow does not follow.
- Option 2, "-Arrow rotate" is a sample block that contains an rotation constraint.
- When placing this block, snap to the end point of interest.
- Then
- Select the arrow block.
- Click on the blue dot and drag to the other end point of the line.
- This place and drag process is required for each block placement.
- This is not dynamic; If the polyline moves, the arrow does not follow.
- NOTE: You do not need a line or polyline to use this block.
- Option 1 ,"-Arrow align" is a sample block that contains an alignment constraint.
- If you use more than one arrow style, you may want to consider using dynamic block visibility states.
The Civil 3D Solution
- Create a line label style "-Sample Circle arrow" that contains an arrow at each end of the line, and a block at the start of the line. (The start block can be omitted.)
- An optional start block is anchored to the feature start point.
- A line is anchored to the feature start point. (start line)
- A arrowhead block is anchored to the end of the start line.
- A line is anchored to the feature end point. (end line)
- A arrowhead block is anchored to the start of the end line.
- If you want to show a block at the start and end points,
create a line label style "-Sample Circle end" that contains just a block at the end of the line.- An optional end block is anchored to the feature end point.
- Use these styles to label your polylines.
- Use "-Sample Circle arrow" and ADDSEGMENTLABELS to label all segments of a polyline.
- Use "-Sample Circle arrow" and ADDSEGMENTLABEL to label a single polyline segemnt.
- Use "-Sample Circle end" and ADDSEGMENTLABEL to label missing end markers.
- All of these labels are dynamic. If you modify the polyline, the labels remain attached and adjust as needed.
- You can use these labels and "ADDLINESBETWEENPOINTS" to add arrows and blocks without a polyline. Theses labels are not dynamic.
- If you use more that one arrow style, you will need to make more styles. I suggest using child styles. Only the arrow head block references will need to be revised.
- If you use more that one type of end point block, it may be better to eliminate the start block from "-Sample Circle Arrow" and create separate label styles for the endpoint blocks.
Please let us know how you proceed. Good Luck.
Here is a long boring screencast that shows how to use these blocks and labels:
Christopher Stevens
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You are welcome.
Please let us know what you come up with.
Christopher Stevens
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a dynamic block on the tp seems easier and more manageable
Joe Bouza
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this is screaming dynamic block!
why are you so set on pline?
Joe Bouza
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Exascttly
Joe Bouza
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@Anonymous, I would like to add the following to my post.
- To clarify: A custom polyline linetype will not help.
- The AutoCAD based solution is to use dynamic blocks. This is per my post and as suggested by @Joe-Bouza and @jae.kwon.
- As @jae.kwon suggests, you can include the end arrow in your dynamic block. A stretch component will be needed. This is a great improvement. This will make the block function like the C3D label is sugggested. It will not be dynamic.
Christopher Stevens
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Thank you all for your insights here!
@Anonymous Hope you find these suggestions helpful? If any of the suggestions helps solve your problem, please click on the "Accept as Solution" button in their reply so this helps other users in the community find the solution too. Thanks!
Lynn Zhang
Community Manager