How to add prompted text at 12,3,6 and 9 o'clock to Balloons.

[michael_wardas]

We've used Inventor professional here for a number of years and struggled with attaching qty text on all 4 quadrants of the balloon based on location of the leader. I've created a symbol with prompted text (displays as '#"X) but that doesn't help me attach it to the center of a balloon (can't be done) plus it's another step done after the balloons are placed.

Ultimately see the attached image to see what I want to be created when I attach a balloon. The qty beside the balloon is the qty for that particular area of interest, not the whole view nor the whole dwg.

Using Inventor Professional 2015

64-Bit Edition

Thanks for your help.

BR,

Michael Wardas

[HermJan.Otterman]

Hello Michael,

Can't you use the built in split balloon to do this?

see my screencast: http://autode.sk/2oN3tlR

[michael_wardas]

Thanks for the response.

However I'm looking to specify a qty for a particular area of interest as opposed to the total BOM qty as per my previous attached example.

[chandra.shekar.g · Accepted solution]

Hi Michael,

Please find the following VBA code to draw the text across 3'0 clock and 9'o clock. Similarly, the code can be extended for 9'o clock and 12'o clock.

On running this code, it will ask to select a balloon. After selection, 2 texts are generated and positioned at 3'o clock and 9'o clock.

Sub Main()

    Dim oDrawDoc As DrawingDocument
    Set oDrawDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument

    Dim oBalloon As Balloon
    Set oBalloon = ThisApplication.CommandManager.Pick(SelectionFilterEnum.kDrawingBalloonFilter, "Select a balloon")

    Dim oStyle As BalloonStyle
    For Each oStyle In oDrawDoc.StylesManager.BalloonStyles
    
    If oStyle.Name = "Balloon Qty" Then
        Set oStyle = oDrawDoc.StylesManager.BalloonStyles.Item("Balloon Qty")
    End If
    
    Next
    
    If oStyle Is Nothing Then
        Set oStyle = oDrawDoc.StylesManager.BalloonStyles.Item(1).Copy("Balloon Qty")
    End If

    oStyle.BalloonType = BalloonTypeEnum.kCircularWithOneEntryBalloonType

    oStyle.Properties = "PartsListProperty='45575'"

    oBalloon.Style = oStyle

    Dim strQty As String
    strQty = oBalloon.BalloonValueSets.Item(1).Value
    strQty = strQty & "X"

    oBalloon.Style = oDrawDoc.StylesManager.BalloonStyles.Item(1)

    oBalloon.SetBalloonType (BalloonTypeEnum.kCircularWithOneEntryBalloonType)

    Call oStyle.Delete

    Dim txtPt3o As Point2d
    Set txtPt3o = ThisApplication.TransientGeometry.CreatePoint2d(oBalloon.Position.X, oBalloon.Position.Y)
    txtPt3o.X = txtPt3o.X + oBalloon.Style.BalloonDiameter / 2
    txtPt3o.Y = txtPt3o.Y + oDrawDoc.StylesManager.TextStyles.Item(1).FontSize / 2

    Dim oText3o As Inventor.GeneralNote
    Set oText3o = oDrawDoc.Sheets.Item(1).DrawingNotes.GeneralNotes.AddFitted(txtPt3o, strQty)

    Dim txtPt9o As Point2d
    Set txtPt9o = ThisApplication.TransientGeometry.CreatePoint2d(oBalloon.Position.X, oBalloon.Position.Y)
    txtPt9o.X = (txtPt9o.X - (oBalloon.Style.BalloonDiameter / 2)) - (oDrawDoc.StylesManager.TextStyles.Item(1).WidthScale * 0.6)
    txtPt9o.Y = txtPt9o.Y + oDrawDoc.StylesManager.TextStyles.Item(1).FontSize / 2

    Dim oText9o As Inventor.GeneralNote
    Set oText9o = oDrawDoc.Sheets.Item(1).DrawingNotes.GeneralNotes.AddFitted(txtPt9o, strQty)

End Sub

Please feel free to contact if there is any doubt.

If solves your problem, click on "Accept as solution" / give a "Kudo"

Thanks and regards,

[michael_wardas]

This works great!

I will try to add the 12 and 6 oclock positions.

Is there an easy way to be 'prompted' for the text when inserting so I don't have to go back and edit?

Many thanks!

[michael_wardas]

One other thing is it easy to make the text follow the balloon like a symbol?

[MechMachineMan]

I just tried messing around to see if you could attach a leader to the balloon so then you could use a leader note that would follow it... but that failed.

So it looks like you would have to use assets or something to locate the balloon and catch the balloon location changes with an event and relocate the text notes in relation to the new geometry...

'This attached code is test I did with LeaderNotes that failed when trying to use it with balloons. Even in the API documentation, none of the objects listed for valid geometry intent include balloons...

 Sub Main()
	oDrawDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument
	
	'Dim oBalloon As Balloon
	'oBalloon = ThisApplication.CommandManager.Pick(SelectionFilterEnum.kDrawingBalloonFilter, "Select a balloon")
	oBalloon = ThisApplication.CommandManager.Pick(SelectionFilterEnum.kAllEntitiesFilter, "Select a balloon")
	
	Call AddGenNoteWithLeader(oBalloon)
End Sub

Dim oDrawDoc As DrawingDocument

Sub AddGenNoteWithLeader(oBalloon As Object)
		
		Dim ballPt3o As Point2d
		ballPt3o = ThisApplication.TransientGeometry.CreatePoint2d(oBalloon.Position.X, oBalloon.Position.Y)
		
		Dim txtPt3o As Point2d
		txtPt3o = ThisApplication.TransientGeometry.CreatePoint2d(oBalloon.Position.X, oBalloon.Position.Y)
		
		txtPt3o.X = ballPt3o.X + 5'+ oBalloon.Style.BalloonDiameter / 2
		txtPt3o.Y = ballPt3o.Y + 4'+ oDrawDoc.StylesManager.TextStyles.Item(1).FontSize / 2
		
		
		Dim oLeaderPoints As ObjectCollection
		oLeaderPoints = ThisApplication.TransientObjects.CreateObjectCollection
		
	'Where to place the text
		oLeaderPoints.Add(txtPt3o)
		
	'What to attach leader arrow to	
		Dim oGeometryIntent As GeometryIntent
		'oGeometryIntent = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument.ActiveSheet.CreateGeometryIntent(oCurve)
		'oGeometryIntent = oDrawDoc.ActiveSheet.CreateGeometryIntent(ballPt3o, ballPt3o)
		oGeometryIntent = oDrawDoc.ActiveSheet.CreateGeometryIntent(oBalloon)
		
		oLeaderPoints.Add(oGeometryIntent)
		
		Dim oText3o As Inventor.LeaderNote
		
	Try	
		oText3o = oDrawDoc.Sheets.Item(1).DrawingNotes.LeaderNotes.Add(oLeaderPoints, "Hey")
		oText3o.LeaderVisible = False
	Catch
		MsgBox("You is has failed")
	End Try

End Sub

[chandra.shekar.g]

Hi Micheal,

One other thing is it easy to make the text follow the balloon like a symbol?

Please name the symbol with example image. Let you know the possibility.

Is there an easy way to be 'prompted' for the text when inserting so I don't have to go back and edit?

Yes, It can be achieved through a Windows application which contains textbox.

Required text can be entered in that textbox.

Thanks and regards,