Datasheet

20 CHAPTER 1 GETTING DIRTY: THE BASICS OF CIVIL 3D
Figure 1.17
Options for the l abel
components
Again, pause and review some of the other options on this tab. Labels are made of indi-
vidual components. A component can be text, a block, or a line, and the top row of buttons
controls the selection, creation, and deletion of these components:
The Component drop-down menu activates which component is being modified in the
options below. These components are listed in the order in which they were created.
The Create Text Component button lets you create new components. These components
can be Text, Lines, Blocks, Reference Text, or Ticks. Some options aren’t available for
every label style.
The ability to label one object while referencing another (reference text) is one of the
most powerful labeling features of Civil 3D. This is what allows you to label a spot ele-
vation for both an existing and a proposed surface at the same time, using the same
label. Alignments, COGO points, parcels, profiles, and surfaces can all be used as ref-
erence text.
The Copy Component button does just that. It copies the component currently selected
in the Component drop-down menu.
The Delete Component button deletes components. Elements that act as the basis for
other components can’t be deleted.
The Component Draw Order button lets you shuffle components up and down within
the label. This feature is especially important when you’re using masks or borders as
part of the label.
You can work your way down the component properties and adjust them as needed for
alabel:
Name is self-explanatory. It’s the name used in the Component drop-down menu
and when selecting other components. When you’re building complicated labels, a
little name description goes a long way.