Styles
Named text, dimension and leader styles, and annotation scales. New objects follow the current style; existing objects keep following the style they have, so changing a style restyles every object that follows it.
Text style
A list of text styles on the ribbon. With no text selected it shows the current style, the one new text follows, and picking another makes it current. With text selected it shows the style the selection follows (blank if they differ) and picking restyles the selection.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Text style; also on the Text tab → Format group.
Objects on locked layers are not restyled. One undo step.
Dimension style
The same list for dimensions: with none selected it shows and sets the current style new dimensions follow; with dimensions selected it shows and changes their style.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Dimension style; also on the Dimension tab → Style group. Objects on locked layers are not restyled. To drop values set on single dimensions, use Update to style.
Leader style
The same list for leaders: with none selected it sets the current style new leaders follow; with leaders selected it restyles them.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Leader style; also on the Dimension tab → Style group. Objects on locked layers are not restyled.
Text styles
Opens the Text styles window to add, copy, rename, delete and edit named text styles.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Styles drop-down → Text styles.
How to
- Pick a style in the Styles list. The number on the right is how many objects follow it; current marks the current style.
- Click New (a style with default values), Copy (a style with the values of the selected one), the delete button, or Set current.
- Edit the fields under Parameters. Changes apply as soon as you leave a field, and Ctrl+Z undoes them. The Preview shows a sample.
- Click Close.
Parameters
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Name | The style's name; must be unique. |
| Font | The font. If it is not installed, the window warns that the text is drawn in Segoe UI instead. |
| Height | Cap height, in drawing units. At least 0.001. |
| Annotative | Height is in paper millimetres, drawn at the annotation scale. |
If something goes wrong
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| A style named '…' already exists. | Choose another name; the old one is kept. |
| Enter a number of at least … | Type a larger value; the old one is kept. |
| In use by N object(s): restyle them first. | The delete button is disabled; move those objects to another style. |
| The default style cannot be deleted. | The default style stays. |
Dimension styles
Opens the Dimension styles window: add, copy, rename, delete and edit named dimension styles. It works as Text styles (list with New, Copy, delete and Set current; edits apply when you leave a field; Ctrl+Z undoes them).
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Styles drop-down → Dimension styles.
Parameters
The fields are grouped (Lines and arrows, Text, Units). The main ones, with the window's own hints, are:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Name | Unique style name. |
| Line style, Line width | Of the style's lines. |
| Arrow | The arrowheads of the dimension lines. |
| Arrow size | Length of an arrowhead, in drawing units. |
| Extension beyond line | How far an extension line runs past the dimension line. |
| Offset from origin | How far an extension line stays off the point it measures. |
| Centre mark | Size of the cross a radius or diameter dimension marks the centre with; 0 for none. |
| Text gap | The space between the value and the dimension line. |
| Text height | Cap height of the measured value, in drawing units. |
| Text placement, Text alignment | Where and how the value is written. |
| Precision | Decimals of the measured value. |
| Before the value / After the value | Text written before or after every measured value, a unit for instance. |
| Measurement scale | What a measured length is multiplied by before it is written: 1000 writes metres as millimetres. |
| Drop trailing zeros | 12.5 instead of 12.50. |
| Annotative | Text height and arrow size are in paper millimetres, drawn at the annotation scale. |
Deleting is refused for the default style and for a style objects still follow.
Leader styles
Opens the Leader styles window: add, copy, rename, delete and edit named leader styles. It works as Text styles.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Styles drop-down → Leader styles.
Parameters
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Name | Unique style name. |
| Line style, Line width | Of the leader lines. |
| Arrow, Arrow size | The arrowhead and its length, in drawing units. |
| Leader type | How the leader line is drawn. |
| Landing | The text is attached to a short level shelf at the end of the line. |
| Landing length | How long the landing is, in drawing units. |
| Text attachment | How the text attaches to the leader. |
| Annotative | Arrow size and landing are in paper millimetres, drawn at the annotation scale. |
The list shows how many leaders follow each style.
Add current scale
Adds the current annotation scale to the selected annotative objects, so they also show at that scale.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Scales drop-down → Add current scale.
Select annotative objects first; otherwise the log says "Select annotative objects to add the scale to." Objects on locked layers are skipped. The result: "Scale … added to N objects." One undo step.
Remove current scale
Removes the current annotation scale from the selected annotative objects, so they hide at that scale. An object keeps at least one scale.
Where to find it
Home tab → Annotation group → Scales drop-down → Remove current scale.
Select annotative objects first; otherwise the log says "Select annotative objects to remove the scale from." Objects on locked layers are skipped. The result: "Scale … removed from N objects." One undo step.