Datasheet

IT’S ALL ABOUT STYLE 19
Forced Insertion makes more sense in other objects and will be explored further. This
feature essentially allows you to dictate the insertion point of a label on the basis of the
object being labeled.
Plan Readable text maintains the up direction in spite of view rotation. This tends to
be the ‘‘Ooooh, nice’’ feature that makes users smile. Rotating 100 labels is a tedious,
thankless task, and this option handles it with one click.
Readability Bias is the angle at which readability kicks in. This angle is measured from
the 0 degree of the x-axis that is common to AutoCAD angle measurements. When
a piece of text goes past the readable bias angle, the text spins to maintain vertical
orientation, as shown in Figure 1.16. Note how the label on the far left has rotated
to accommodate the rotation past 110 degrees, the default bias angle. If you set the
readability bias to 90.01, which is a typical setting, the text flips at a near-vertical angle.
Figure 1.16
Examples of
plan-readable text
Flip Anchors with Text determines how the text flips. Most users find that setting this
to False gives the best results, but sometimes flipping an anchor point positions text as
needed. You’ll learn more about anchor points on the Layout tab.
4. Switch to the Layout tab. Again, a lot is going on here, so you’ll work through the options
and then make changes. As shown in Figure 1.17, each component of the label has a host
of options. On the right is a preview of the label you’re creating or editing. You can pan or
zoom this view as needed to give you a better feel for the label style’s appearance as you
make changes.
A Full Three-Dimensional Label Preview?
This preview defaults to a 3D Orbit control. Don’t ask why; we’re as confused as you are. Inevitably,
you’ll rotate the view out of a plan-top view, making the plan harder to understand. When this hap-
pens, right-click and select Preset Views
5
Top to reorient yourself, or use the Viewcube function to
pull to the top.