Scaling Civil 3D Labels and Annotative Text

November 11, 2020 Scott Kraner

Many new users of Civil 3D, as well as users migrating from Land Desktop, have questions about the best practices for controlling Civil 3D label scales and annotative text scales.  Although they function similarly in many ways, there are important differences.  This article is intended to provide clarity on scale control settings by summarizing the similarities and differences between these methods of annotation.

First, we will consider Civil 3D labels.  In model space they are scaled based upon the text height setting in the controlling label style, as well as the annotative (drawing) scale.  For example, if the text height in the label style is set to 0.1000” and the annotative scale is 1” = 50’, the actual text height in model space will be 0.1000 (the text height) multiplied by 50 (the annotation scale), or 5’ (as demonstrated in the images below).

However, in paper space, label text always appears at the same height regardless of the viewport scale or zoom level.  Label styles in which the text height is set to 0.1000” will appear at a height of 0.1000 inches in paper space, even if displayed in viewports set at different scales.  In the image, below, the left viewport is set to 1” = 100’ and the right viewport is set to 1” = 50’.  Although the model is at different scales, the alignment labels still display at the same text height, 0.1000 inch, as presented in the second image below.

Note: To ensure that Civil 3D object linetypes also display and plot properly, we recommend setting the MSLTSCALE, PSLTSCALE, and LTSCALE system variables to 1.

 

Next, we will consider annotative text, an AutoCAD element.  Text styles are made annotative by selecting the Annotative option and setting a Paper Text Height in the Text Style dialog, when they are created or modified (see image below).

Making a text style annotative locks the height of text in a paper space viewport to the value established in the Text Style dialog Paper Text Height box, regardless of the viewport scale.  This is analogous to setting a Civil 3D label’s text height in its label style.  Just as the Civil 3D labels, shown above, the annotative MTEXT displays at the same height, even though the viewports are set to different scales.  This can be seen, in the image below, where two side-by-side viewports display the same annotative text.  Although the viewports are set to different scales, 1” = 100’ and 1” = 50’, the annotative text is displayed at the same size in each.

Parallels with Civil 3D labels can be clearly seen by reviewing the annotative text properties in each viewport.  In the image of the MTEXT properties in the 1” = 100’ scale viewport, below, note the Annotative Scale, Paper Text Height, And Model Text Height.  Just as with Civil 3D labels, the product of the Paper Text Height and the Annotative Scale equals the Model Text Height.

In the image of the MTEXT properties in the 1” = 50’ scale viewport, below, note the Annotative Scale, Paper Text Height, And Model Text Height.  Again, the product of the Paper Text Height and the Annotative Scale equals the Model Text Height

If you look closely at the highlighted (selected) MTEXT in each view, above, you will see that two versions of the text are visible.  This is more evident in the second, 1” = 50’, viewport.  Each version of the text corresponds to each viewport scale.  For example, the 10’ Model Text Height corresponds to the 1” = 100’ scaled viewport and the 5’ Model Text Height corresponds to the 1” = 50’scaled viewport.  When the text is selected, both versions become visible.  However, when they are not selected, each version will only display in a viewport that matches the scale for which they were created.  This is how the scale can appear to be the same in viewports set to different scales, as seen in the side-by-side viewport image, above.

In fact, a separate version of the annotative text must be created for each viewport set to a different scale.  Scales can be added or deleted by selecting “Add/Delete Scales” from the Annotate tab of the Ribbon or the right-click menu available from the selected annotative text (see image below).

This opens a dialog box to add or delete scales that are available in the drawing (see image below).

Alternately, additional scales can be automatically created each time a new scale is set in a viewport by selecting the Autoscale icon on the Status Bar.  This sets the ANNOAUTOSCALE system variable to 4, as shown in the images, below.

If a viewport scale has not been added for an occurrence of annotative text, it will not appear in the viewport, unless the Annotation Visibility icon is selected in the Status Bar (see image).  This provides a means of displaying and selecting annotative text within a viewport for which a scale needs to be added.  This sets the ANNOALLVISIBLE system variable to 1.  We recommend that this be turned off, reset to 0, prior to printing, plotting, or publishing to prevent the inadvertent inclusion of annotative elements within viewports.

These Status Bar icons and their associated system variables perform similarly within model space.  The Autoscale icon on the Status Bar, ANNOAUTOSCALE system variable, controls the automatic creation of scales each time the annotation scale is changed on the Status bar, as seen in the image below.

The Annotation Visibility icon on the Status Bar, ANNOALLVISIBLE system variable, makes annotative text visible when the annotation scale is set to a scale for which a corresponding scale does not exist for the annotative text (see image).

As in paper space, selecting annotative text highlights all versions that are available, as shown below.

 

About the Author

Scott Kraner

Civil Applications Expert<br><br>Scott has more than 30 years of experience in civil engineering. He has worked within the private sector in the fields of design, consulting, and construction for approximately 15 years. In the public sector, he has performed traffic engineering operations, construction inspection, plan review, and Safe Drinking Water Act compliance enforcement for more than 15 years. He has developed and overseen diverse public service programs encompassing functions such as ADA compliance, roadway flooding elimination, and public water system assistance fund administration.

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