2011

Labeling Objects Using Annotation Templates
Use annotation to label drawing objects with data values, such as the following:
■ Attributes, such as object data (page 2070) or linked external data (page 2062)
■ Display properties, such as line weight
■ Geometric values, such as line direction
■ Graphics, such as arrows, static text, or other geometry, added with
standard AutoCAD drawing commands
NOTE Annotation templates are for drawing objects only. To label geospatial
features, see
Adding Labels to Features (page 1091).
You create one “tag” for each item in the annotation template. For example,
one tag might contain the static text, “Area:” followed by a tag containing
the property .AREA. You use the Block Editor to position the tags relative to
each other. When you attach the annotation to an object, the values appear
in the same position as their tags.
Annotation templates are stored in the drawing as blocks. Unlike regular
blocks, annotation templates have the following characteristics:
■ The block name is prefixed with "ACMAP_ANN_TEMPLATE_" followed by
the annotation template name as specified in the
Define Annotation
Template dialog box
(page 1572).
■ The extension dictionary of the block contains special table objects.
Using Expressions in Annotation Templates
You can insert static text in the annotation template. It will appear on each
object to which you attach annotation.
You can also specify properties or define values using expressions. The values
of the properties or expressions are determined when the annotation is
inserted.
For example, create an annotation template that specifies the text “Diameter”
followed by an expression that calculates the diameter of a circle. Then insert
instances of the annotation template on several circle objects. Each one will
display “Diameter,” followed by that circle’s diameter.
When you change the text, properties, or expressions in an annotation
template, existing annotations based on that template do not change. Use the
Setting Up Annotation Templates | 187