2004

748 | Chapter 26 Access External Databases
Labels are multiline text objects that display data in an AutoCAD drawing
from selected fields stored in an external database table.
The labels that you create in AutoCAD can be freestanding, or they can be
attached to a graphical object. Freestanding labels exist in the drawing inde-
pendent of any graphical objects. Labels that are attached to a graphical
object are tightly connected with it. If you move the graphical object, the
label moves with it. If you copy the object to the Clipboard, the label is also
copied. If you delete an object that has an attached label, the label is deleted
as well. Labels associated with graphical objects are displayed with a leader.
To work with labels, you must first create a label template that defines what
fields from the database table are displayed in the label and how the label
text is formatted.
Edit Label Templates
After defining a label template, you might have cause to edit it. For example,
you may decide that you want additional table fields to be displayed in your
drawings, or that you want to change the font or size of the label object. You
can also specify a number of offset settings that affect the insertion point of
labels and, in the case of attached labels, their associated leader objects.
The Label Offset tab of the Label Template dialog box specifies X and Y
coordinate offset values for labels and leader objects. The following table
summarizes the effect these settings have on both freestanding and attached
labels.