autocad express tool

Ands jspois a thspo cnb angoxu igcuostues tre poiust piod agousgas on few ousi zougosa eossougsgo.

EXPRESS TOOLSAutoCADand Its Applications

B A S I C SStudent Web Si te

Using Text Express ToolsThe Express menu in the menu browser includes a Text cascading menu with several tools.

These tools offer extended functionality for text in AutoCAD. The following express tools repre-sent the most useful text express tools.

Fitting Text between Two PointsThe TEXTFIT tool stretches or shrinks single-line text objects by speci-

fying 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.

NOTEThe TEXTFIT tool does not work with multiline text.

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page 1

Ribbon

Express Tools> Modify Text

Text FitType

TEXTFIT

TEXT

FIT



Creating a Text MaskThe 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 ET10-1.

The TEXTMASK tool can be used for multiline or single-line text, but it 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.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:

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10, page

Ribbon

Express Tools> Text

Text MaskType

TEXTMASK

TEXT

MAS

K

Figure ET10-1. AText with no mask. BText with a text mask.



Wipeout. Applies a mask with a rectangular frame displayed with the screen back-ground 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 text height. Enter the distance from the edge of the text that you want the mask to cover.

Unmasking TextThe TEXTUNMASK tool removes a mask from text that has been masked

with the TEXTMASK tool.


Ribbon

Express Tools> Text

Unmask MaskType

TEXTUNMASKTEX

TUN

MAS

K



Converting Single-Line Text to Multiline TextThe TXT2MTXT tool allows you to convert single-line text into a multi-

line 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 multi-line text object.

Aligning Text with an ArcThe 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 ET10-2.

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. Backwards

and concave text are available, as well as several alignment tools. The Color drop-down list allows you to specify the color of the text. The first Font drop-down list specifies a text style to use, and the second 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.


Ribbon

Express Tools> Text

Convert to MtextType

TXT2MTXT

TXT2

MTX

T

Ribbon

Express Tools> Text

Arc-Aligned TextType

ARCTEXT

ARCT

EXT



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.


Figure ET10-2. ASetting up arc-aligned text using the ArcAligned-Text Workshop - Create dialog box. BThe resulting text.

Alignment andlocation buttons

Styledrop-down Color

control

Fontdrop-down

Enter text

Propertiesof text



Placing an Object around TextThe 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 offset factor, which defines the amount of space from the text to the enclosure based on text height. For example, if text is .5 high, a distance offset factor of 1 will create a .5 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.

Changing CaseThe TCASE tool is similar to the Change Case option in the multiline

and single-line text editors. However, this TCASE tool can be used to change the case of single-line text, multiline text, attributes, and dimension text. It also provides additional case options.

The TCASE change text case dialog box is displayed, as shown in Figure ET10-3. This dialog box provides you with five case options to apply to your text. Select an option and press OK to apply the changes.


Ribbon

Express Tools> Text

Enclose in ObjectType

TCIRCLE

TCIR

CLE

Ribbon

Express Tools> Text

Change CaseType

TCASE

TCAS

E




Figure ET10-3. The TCASE change text case dialog box allows you to change the case of selected text.

autocad express tool

Documents