Adding Arrows to Text

QUESTION

I would like to create text with arrows that point to objects in my drawing. How can I do this?

ANSWER

Text arrows, which are simply CAD lines/polylines with arrows drawn on the “Text” layer, can be used to connect text objects to details of interest in your drawing.

Start by setting up the Arrow Defaults to your liking, then use the Leader Line tool or the Text Line with Arrow tool to add arrows to your designs. Additionally, you can use the Add an Arrow dialog setting or the Add Text Line with Arrow edit handle.

• Arrow Defaults
• Leader Line tool
• Text Line with Arrow tool
• Add an Arrow dialog setting
• Add Text Line with Arrow edit handle (Applies to X14 and newer program versions)
  

To set up Arrow Defaults

1. Click on Edit> Default Settings  and expand Text, Callouts and Markers.
   
   
   
2. Select the Arrow category, then click the Edit button.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Choose the arrow default you'd like to modify and click Edit.
   
   
   
4. In the Arrow Defaults dialog that displays next:
   
   
   
   
   • Use the Style drop-down menu to select an arrow style.
     
     A Select button is also available, allowing you to select a CAD block from the library to use as the arrow style.
     
     
   • Specify the CAD Block Fill, Fill Color, Size, and other settings to your liking.
     
     To learn more about these options, click the Help button located at the bottom of the dialog to open your program's documentation.
     
   
   
   
5. Once all desired properties are set, click OK and proceed to close out of any other dialog boxes that are open. 
   

1. Select CAD> Text> Leader Line  from the menu.
   
   
   
2. Click and drag to create the first leader line segment, then release the mouse button.
   
   
   
3. Move the cursor to the place where you would like the text object to be located, then click. 
   
   

   Note: The Leader Line tool creates two line segments by default. This can be changed on the Text panel of the Preferences dialog.

    
   
4. In the Rich Text Specification dialog that displays, enter your desired text, then click OK.

To use the Text Line with Arrow tool

The Text Line with Arrow tool can be used to create lines with arrows. But, unlike the Leader Line tool, it cannot be used to create new text objects. The Text Line with Arrow tool behaves like the Line With Arrow tool, but with one exception: the Text Line with Arrow tool creates lines on the default Text layer, not the Current CAD Layer.

1. Select CAD> Text> Text Line with Arrow  from the menu.
   
   
   
2. Click and drag to create a single text line with an arrow.
   
   
   
3. If additional line segments are desired, click and drag starting from the end point of the first line while the Text Line with Arrow  tool is active. 

To use the Add an Arrow dialog setting

A line with an arrow can be added to a text object automatically using the Add an Arrow dialog setting.

1. Using the Select Objects tool, click on the text box you'd like to add an arrow to, then click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
2. On the Text or Options panel of the Text or Rich Text Specification dialog, check the box beside Add an Arrow, then click OK.
   
   
   
3. A line with an arrow will be generated next to the text object.
   
   
   
4. Additional line segments can also be added onto the end of this line using the Text Line with Arrow   tool.