Using Text Express Tools

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Architectural Drafting Using AutoCAD Using Text Express Tools Several tools in the Express Tools ribbon tab offer extended functionality for text in AutoCAD. The following express tools are suited for drawing tasks involving text.

The TEXTFIT tool stretches or shrinks single-line text objects by specifying a new start and endpoint for the text. Only the width of the text is affected. The height remains the same. Once you access the TEXTFIT tool, select the text object you want to stretch or shrink. Then activate the Start point option and pick a new start point. Select a new endpoint to complete the stretch or shrink, and exit the TEXTFIT tool. 12 0" 22 "x3T IC AT S S E AC C

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Ribbon Express Tools >Text >Text Fit Type

TEXTFIT

Fitting Text Between Two Points

TEXTFIT

The TEXTFIT tool does not work with multiline

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The TEXTMASK tool creates a masking object behind selected single-line or multiline text objects so that any objects behind the text do not display through the text. See Figure 1.

Ribbon Express Tools >Text >Text Mask Type

Figure 1.

TEXTMASK

TEXTMASK

Creating a Text Mask

A—Text with no mask. B— Text with a text mask.

The TEXTMASK tool can be used for multiline or single-line text, but it is more relevant for single-line text, because the multiline text editor provides an easy-to-use Background Mask feature. Once you access the TEXTMASK tool, select the text objects to which you want to apply a masking object. To apply the default settings to the selected text objects, press the [Enter] key or space bar, or right-click and select the Enter option. Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Using Text Express Tools   

Unmasking Text

Ribbon

The TEXTUNMASK tool removes a mask from text that has been masked with the TEXTMASK tool.

Type

Express Tools >Text >Unmask Text TEXTUNMASK

TEXTUNMASK

Three different types of objects can be used as a mask. Activate the Masktype option at the Select text objects to mask or [Masktype/Offset]: prompt to choose from one of the following Masktype options: • Wipeout. Applies a mask with a rectangular frame displayed with the screen background color. • 3dface. Places a 3D face behind the text. • Solid. Creates a mask with a 2D solid in a specified color. When creating a mask, AutoCAD offsets the mask a specified distance from the edges of the text. To change the offset distance, activate the Offset option at the Select text objects to mask or [Masktype/Offset]: prompt. AutoCAD prompts you to enter the offset factor relative to the text height. Enter the distance from the edge of the text that you want the mask to cover.

The TXT2MTXT tool allows you to convert single-line text into a multiline text object. Single-line text can be converted to a single line of multiline text, or multiple single lines can be converted and combined into one multiline text object.

Ribbon Express Tools >Text >Convert to Mtext Type

TXT2MTXT

Converting Single-Line Text to Multiline Text

TEXT2MTXT

Placing an Object around Text

Express Tools >Text >Arc-Aligned Text Type ARCTEXT

Ribbon

The TCIRCLE tool allows you to place a circle, slot, or rectangle around one or more pieces of single-line text, multiline text, or attributes. After you access the TCIRCLE tool, pick the text object you want to enclose. Then enter the distance Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Ribbon

Express Tools >Text >Enclose in Object

TCIRCLE

The ARCTEXT tool creates text that is curved to follow the shape of an arc. Before you can create this text, an arc must exist in the drawing. When you access the ARCTEXT tool, AutoCAD prompts you to select an arc. After the arc is selected, the ArcAlignedText Workshop-Create dialog box is displayed. See Figure 2. The ArcAlignedText Workshop-Create dialog box includes several options for controlling the output of the text. The buttons across the top of the dialog box control text location relative to the arc and its length. The color drop-down list allows you to specify the color of the text. The style drop-down list specifies a text style to use, and the font drop-down list allows you to specify a font. The Text text box is where you type the desired text. The Properties section includes additional properties that can be applied to the text. Pick the OK button when you have finished configuring the text. If the text needs to be modified, access the ARCTEXT tool again and select the text. After you are finished with the text, you can erase the arc used to designate the arc text if desired.

ARCTEXT

Aligning Text with an Arc

Type TCIRCLE

Using Text Express Tools   

Figure 2.

A—Setting up arcaligned text using the ArcAlignedText Workshop-Create

dialog box. B—The resulting text.

Alignment and location buttons Style drop-down

Color control Font drop-down

Enter text

Properties of text A

B offset factor, which defines the amount of space from the text to the enclosure based on text height. For example, if text is 1/2″ high, a distance offset factor of 1 will create a 1/2″ offset. Next, select whether you want to draw a circle, slot, or rectangle around the text by choosing the appropriate option. Enter the Variable option for most applications to create the enclosure and exit the tool.

The TCASE tool is similar to the Change Case option in the multiline and singleline text editors. However, this TCASE tool can be used to change the case of singleline text, multiline text, attributes, and dimension text. It also provides additional case options. After accessing the TCASE tool, the TCASE–change text case dialog box is displayed, as shown in Figure 3. This dialog box provides you with five case options to apply to the text. Select an option and pick OK to apply the changes.

Ribbon Express Tools >Text >Change Case

TCASE

Changing Case Type TCASE

Figure 3.

The TCASE–

change text case dialog box

allows you to change the case of selected text.

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Using Text Express Tools