AVEVA™ Unified Engineering

Element Implementation Rules

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Element Implementation Rules

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Last UpdatedNov 28, 2025
17 minute read

The reference table lists the Draw elements and the AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer implementation rules that apply to each element.

Draw Element	Implementation Rule
ADIM ARC CIRC DMND ELLI ETRI GLAB GRDRLR HEXA ITABL LDIM OUTL PDIM RDIM RECT REGN SLAB STRA TABL VIEW	The whitespace calculation includes element line type geometry. The line type geometry is simplified to a solid block when the whitespace calculation is performed to account for deviances in the line. The following rules should be noted for each element type: GLAB - The line type can be modified for the leader line and the frame line. The line type of the label’s frame is supported, the leader line is not supported. GRDRLR - The line type can be modified for the axial line type. ADIM/LDIM - The line type can be modified for the projection line and the dimension line. The dimension line type is supported, the projection line type is not supported. PDIM/RDIM - The line type can be modified for the crosshair line, projection line and dimension line. All three line types are supported. REGN - The line type can be modified for the frame line. SLAB - The line type can be modified for the leader line and the frame line. The line type of the TXTM based SLAB’s frame is supported, the leader line is not supported. ITABL/TABL - The line type can be modified for the border line and the row line, whitespace calculation is only required for the border line. VIEW - The line type can be modified for the matchline and the frame line. Both line types are supported.
ADIM DESSYM PDIM RDIM	The only available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer setting is Placement mode with a fixed value of Don’t move.
ADIM GLAB LDIM REGN SLAB VIEW	If a connection line, projection line or object geometry is not visible on the drawing canvas, the element is ignored by the whitespace calculation. Only the hidden element is ignored by the whitespace calculation. For example: If an LDIM projection line is hidden, it is ignored (not the complete LDIM). If an LDIM dimension line is hidden, it is ignored (not the complete LDIM). The projection line(s) may be visible and calculated. If a label leader line is hidden, it is ignored (not the complete label). The supported methods for hiding elements are: Line Type on/off Visibility on/off Hidden layers Hidden styles Hidden annotation mode
ADIM LDIM	Priority is given to avoiding intersecting SLAB/GLAB connection lines when the whitespace calculation is performed. For example: An SLAB connection line intersects with an LDIM projection line to avoid intersecting with another SLAB connection line.
ARC CIRC DMND ELLI ETRI EXTIMG GRDRLR HEXA ITABL MRKP OUTL RECT STRA SYMB TABL TEXP	The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are: Optimal insertion distance Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user)) Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value) Placement priority Relation to view
ARC CIRC DMND ELLI ETRI GLAB GRDRLR HEXA IMAGE ITABL LDIM MRKP OUTL RECT SLAB STRA SYMB TABL TEXP	If Blanking is set to Yes, the annotation is more likely be positioned on grey space or red space, if this is the best annotation position. Note: Annotations with the Blanking property set to Yes receive 10% of the base A-RS penalty.
ARC CIRC DMND ELLI ETRI HEXA IMAGE ITABL MRKP OUTL GRDRLR RECT STRA SYMB TABL TEXP	The Placement mode of elements that are associated with model items using intelligent grip points are set to Don’t move, with the exception of LDIM, GLAB and SLAB elements.
BACKINGSHEET	The backing sheet cells are detected when the whitespace calculation is performed. If the view element is contained within a single backing sheet cell, all annotations are positioned within the cell when the whitespace calculation is performed. If the view element is positioned across two or more backing sheet cells or outside of the drawing canvas, an additional margin of +100mm is applied (measured from the outer edge of the view) to allow for positioning of annotations when the whitespace calculation is performed.
CONNCT	The whitespace calculation includes element line type geometry. Line types are respected and simplified. Shields are not simplified (but their line type is respected and simplified). Glyphs (both segment glyphs and jumping glyphs) and text are simplified to rectangles. Jumpings without glyphs (gaps) are ignored. However, annotations are not placed in the gap, and connection lines are not placed through the gap when the whitespace calculation is performed. In the example: Connector 1 includes text and segment glyphs. Connector 2 is represented with a custom line type (which is wider than the default line type) and the jumping is represented by a gap. Connector 3 includes a shield which is represented with a custom line type (which is wider than the default line type) and the jumping is represented by a glyph.
CONNCT	The Placement mode of elements that are intelligently connected with CONNCT elements are set to Don’t move. For example, SYMB elements. The placement mode of the connected element cannot be modified. If the connected element is disconnected from the CONNCT element, the placement mode reverts to the value prior to connection.
DGROUP	The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are: Anno Intersections Allowed Optimal insertion distance Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user)) Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value) Placement priority Relation to view
DGROUP	The symbols contained in the DGROUP are simplified into individual filled frames, this allows for the whitespace in the DGROUP to be utilized by other annotations during optimization. The example displays three individually filled frames which are contained in the DGROUP. Any movement of the DGROUP will result in all of the simplified frames being moved as one.
GLAB SLAB	The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are: Dog leg creation Dog leg removal Minimum AP distance Optimal insertion distance Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user)) Placement mode Placement priority Relation to view X-Angs
GLAB SLAB	By default, manually created gaps are removed for connection line intersections when the whitespace calculation is performed.
GLAB SLAB	Annotation alignment functionality is only available for GLAB and SLAB elements.
GLAB SLAB	Annotations are positioned using the least amount of connection line intersections when the whitespace calculation is performed, this is one of many criteria and not the most important one. The example displays an annotation that is positioned above an annotation which uses a single connection line intersection. The optimal distance setting would position the annotation below the bottom two annotations, this is not used because there would be two connection line intersections.
GLAB SLAB	Annotations can be positioned using the least amount of red space intersections when the whitespace calculation is performed, this is one of many criteria and not the most important one. Functionality is also available to position the annotation with the least amount of the connection line within the grey space. If the A-GS overlap and the A-RS overlap are set to zero, the functionality is not available. The example displays an annotation that is positioned with the minimum amount of red space intersections with the least amount of the connection line within the grey space.
GLAB SLAB	If the connection line is offset from the element attachment point, the offset value is preserved when the whitespace calculation is performed.
GLAB	If the connection line is offset from the annotation symbol, the offset is removed when the whitespace calculation is performed and the Connection Point Offset attribute value is set to Standard. A user message displays indicating the problem. Connection lines which are offset from the annotation symbol can only be preserved for SLAB elements.
GLAB SLAB	By Element Annotation Placement Annotations are positioned using the direction of the annotation attached to the model element. The following settings must be applied: The Placement direction angle value is set to By element. The Placement direction interval value is set to By element. The Leader line visibility value is set to No. The Placement mode is set to Free. The annotation is attached to one of the supported model element types. Note: Make sure that the Annotation to Annotation spacing is smaller than the gap between the red space of the associated element and the label during WGSTYL setup. If this is not the case, an A-RS violation is automatically incurred as there is no adjustment perpendicular to the direction. The example displays an annotation that is attached to a structural model element and positioned on top of an intersecting structural element. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the annotation is moved along the attached structural model element. The supported element types and their key calculation points are: FTUB, STRT, DUCT - arrive position (APOS) and leave position (LPOS). GENSEC - start position (POSS) and end position (POSE). Only GENSEC with SPINE consisting of exactly two points is supported. SCTN, HFLANG, HSTIFF, HPILLR - start position (POSS) and end position (POSE). CWBRAN - head position (HPOS) and tail position (TPOS). Only CWBRAN with RPATH consisting of exactly two points is supported. CTRAY - first and second PPoint (PPOS1 and PPOS2). BRAN - when the annotation is attached directly to BRAN and has a valid TUBI element as the first member, it is assumed that the label describes that TUBI. The key calculation points are head position (HPOS) of the BRAN element and leave position (LPOS) of the TUBI element. Any element under a BRAN, which generates TUBI - when the annotation is attached to an element under a BRAN (for example, ELBO or TEE, with the exception of attachment type elements like ATTA), if the next element in that BRAN is TUBI, it is assumed that the label describes that TUBI. The key calculation points are leave position (LPOS) of the attached model element and leave position (LPOS) of the TUBI. Note: If the key points of the attached model element are positioned outside of the view frame, and the view clipping is set to on, the annotation is moved along the attached model element and positioned inside the view frame.
GLAB SLAB	Label hyperlink indicators are ignored by the whitespace calculation.
GLAB TXTM based SLAB	The whitespace calculation for GLAB and TXTM based SLAB elements uses the frame (if visible) or the text (if the frame is not visible).
GLAB TXTM based SLAB	The connection line is attached to the nearest corner of the label if all frame sides are visible. Otherwise the Draw algorithm for automatic frame corner selection is respected, which may result in attaching the CONL to a corner which is not the nearest one.
GLAB TXTM based SLAB	The dog leg connection line direction is parallel to the text baseline.
GRDRLR	The GRDRLR element placement does not move when either: The owning VIEW element is not orthogonal. The GRDRLR element direction is the same as the owning VIEW element. When the GRDRLR element placement can move, the placement direction is perpendicular to the direction along which it is placed.
IMAGE ITABL MRKP OLAY SYMB SYMB based SLAB TABL TEXP	The whitespace calculation uses an element frame which contains all of the primitives. For example, The whitespace calculation for an LDIM that contains multiple annotations uses a single rectangular frame. The connection line is not included in the whitespace calculation for a SYMB based SLAB.
LDIM	The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are: Minimum AP distance Optimal insertion distance Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value) Placement priority Relation to view
LDIM	The whitespace calculation uses an element frame which contains the dimension line and the dimension line annotation. The whitespace calculation uses individual frames for the dimension projection lines and the projection line annotations. The red rectangles from both the dimension line and the projection line primitives are considered at the same time (not independently).
LDIM	The dimension line main geometry is split into individual frames to allow projection lines/overshoots to pass through when the whitespace calculation is performed. The centre point of the split channel is located at the projection line attachment point. The split channel width is calculated as 2 x Minimum Annotation Spacing (MAS) with an additional 2 x Offset Value. Note: If the MAS setting is too large (for example, over 3 mm) the dimension line main geometry is not split and channels are not created for projection lines.
LDIM	The LDIM placement direction is fixed to the direction of the associated projection line.
LDIM	Clearance values are only respected when both the following conditions are met: The Placement mode is Don't move The clearance value is equal to or more than 6mm.
LDIM	LDIM elements behave in the following way if the Placement mode is set to Prefer original position or Free: If an annotation is moved from the original position when the whitespace calculation is performed, the preference is to move it closer to the attachment point. The annotation is flipped to the opposite side of the attached element if calculated as the optimal annotation position. If the annotation position is restricted by the boundary of the attached elements, the Placement direction property displays the Intervals properties. LDIM projection lines must be hidden in order to be restricted by the boundaries of attached elements. The Intervals (intrinsic) and Intervals (resolved) properties display the available limits for the annotation position when the whitespace calculation is performed, measured from the current position of the annotation. If the annotation is positioned outside of the boundary of the attached elements, the Placement mode property is automatically set to Don’t move when the whitespace calculation is performed.
LDIM	The LDIM element Placement mode property cannot be set to optimize connection line length. An error message is displayed summarizing the problem.
LDIM	Chained linear dimensions that are created as a sequence of separate LDIM elements are processed as a cluster when the whitespace calculation is performed. The clustered elements are moved together in the same way that a single chained LDIM element is moved, this avoids each LDIM being moved to a different area of white space on the drawing canvas. The following conditions must be met to consider the clustering of separate LDIMs when the whitespace calculation is performed: The LDIM must have at least one dimension point. The dimension line direction and the projection line direction must be well defined. The LDIM Placement mode must not be set to Don't move, either explicitly (because of its placement mode in the database), or implicitly (because of other properties). The LDIM must not have a user-defined placement direction interval or a finite, intrinsic placement direction interval. The following conditions must be met to create a cluster of separate LDIMs when the whitespace calculation is performed: The LDIMs must be in the same VIEW (or REGION). The LDIMs must have the same projection line direction. The LDIMs must have at least one common dimension point. The distance between the dimension points is measured perpendicular to the projection lines. The projection lines must overlap, at least partially. The following example is not processed as a cluster. If the dimension line is continuous, the dimension point positions must not exceed the maximum separation value which is a non-configurable value of 0.1mm. The following example is processed as a cluster. Overlapping dimension lines are processed as a cluster and repositioned. The example displays overlapping dimension lines and the repositioned LDIMs when the whitespace calculation is performed. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the position of a cluster of separate LDIMs is calculated using the best overall position on the drawing canvas and the minimum amount of dimension line and projection line intersections. The example displays a drawing which contains a cluster of separate LDIMs. When the whitespace calculation is performed: the individual LDIM (1052) positioned below the drawing is moved above the drawing. the cluster of separate LDIMs (1195, 5060) positioned below the drawing are staggered. the cluster of separate LDIMs (771, 2162, 2063) positioned to the right of the drawing are staggered and moved to the left of the drawing to reduce the number of projection line and dimension line intersections. The staggered cluster maintains the internal projection line/dimension line clearances. If a cluster of separate LDIMs is moved to the opposite side of the drawing, the position of the text, in relation to the dimension line, is retained.
LDIM with leader line	When a leader line is visible for an LDIM or LDIM cluster, the main geometry for dimension lines is divided into two separate areas when the whitespace calculation is performed: The area covering the dimension line and its terminator glyphs. In the example, this is represented by three rectangles covering the dimension line and its terminator glyphs. The area covering the dimension text with its leader line. In the example, this is represented by three rectangles covering the dimension text. Separating the dimension text (with its leader line) from the dimension line enables the checking of intersections with projection lines and projection line channels. In the example, projection line channels are represented by four green rectangles. There are three types of collision that can be identified: Owned Channels - The dimension text geometry (with its leader line) intersects with an adjacent channel. This intersection type restricts the movement of the LDIM (or LDIM cluster) to the Highest positive, +Infinity range. In the example, note the channel for Design Point 2, the text intersects the channel. Other Channels - The dimension text geometry (with its leader line) intersects with a channel that is not adjacent to the dimension line. This intersection type restricts the movement of the LDIM (or LDIM cluster) to the Highest negative, -Infinity or Highest positive, +Infinity range. In the example, note the channel for Design Point 2, the leader line for Design Point 3 intersects the channel. Projection Lines - The text geometry (with its leader line) intersects with a projection line. This intersection type restricts the movement of the LDIM (or LDIM cluster) to Don't move. When the collision is detected, a user message displays indicating the problem. In the example, note the projection line for Design Point 3, the leader line for Design Point 3 intersects the projection line.
REGN OLAY VIEW	The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are: Optimal insertion distance Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user)) Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value) Placement priority
REGN VIEW	If the placement mode is set to Don't move, child elements are moved (if necessary) when the whitespace calculation is performed. If the placement mode is set to Prefer original position or Free, each VIEW/REGN element and its child elements are treated as a single element when the whitespace calculation is performed.
SLAB	If the connection line is offset from the annotation symbol, the connection line offset value is preserved when: the Connection Point Offset attribute value is defined using explicit X and Y values, and the connection line is connected to the annotation symbol geometry. In all other cases, the offset is removed when the whitespace calculation is performed and the Connection Point Offset attribute value is set to Standard. A user message displays indicating the problem. Note: The Allowed Quadrants functionality can be used on the TXTM/SYTM to avoid overlapping the connection line with the annotation label geometry when the whitespace calculation is performed.
SLAB with multiple connection points	The Dog leg creation/Dog leg removal value of SLAB elements with multiple connection points on the referenced SYTM is set to a fixed value of False. The Dog leg creation/Dog leg removal value cannot be modified. The Placement mode of SLAB elements with multiple connection points on the referenced SYTM is set to a fixed value of Don’t move. The placement mode value cannot be modified.
SYTM (circular)	The dog leg connection line can be any orthogonal direction with respect to the symbol and may be rotated if the symbol is rotated. A circular SYTM contains the annotation text within a circle. For example: The allowed quadrants are evaluated, the connections lines can be either horizontal or vertical. The example displays a dog leg connection to a circular SYTM with the Allowed Quadrant value set to Top left/Top right.
SYTM (non-circular)	A non-circular SYTM contains the annotation text in an object that is not a circle. For example: The directions are detected from the quadrants, one direction for each pair of adjacent quadrants. If the directions are parallel to the text baseline only, or perpendicular to the text baseline only, those directions are used. If the directions are mixed (for example, all for quadrants are allowed), only the parallel directions are used.
VIEW	There are three different operating modes for matchlines which can cause the matchline text to behave differently (the following applies to a VIEW element which is set to Don’t move): Regular matchlines mode – this is the default matchlines mode. The text is considered as part of the VIEW main geometry. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the matchline text labels are treated as individual frames, but do not move independently of the VIEW. In this mode, the whitespace settings of the VIEW affect the behavior of the matchlines text label behavior (for example, Anno Intersections Allowed). Advanced matchlines mode – the matchline text representation is changed to an SLAB element, and its behavior when the whitespace calculation is performed depends on the leader line setting specified for the matchline: Matchline LL-OFF mode – in this mode the text behavior is similar to the regular matchlines mode (which means the whitespace settings of the VIEW are applied in the same way as for regular matchlines). Matchline LL-ON mode – in this mode the matchline text uses SLAB representation along with the default AVEVA Whitespace style values (which means it is not configurable, and does not use the related whitespace settings of the VIEW). In this mode the text SLAB is considered as Don’t move. Note: If the VIEW is in any mode other than Don’t move, all its geometry (including SLABs, matchlines, matchline text labels) is optimized as a whole (which means they are considered as a single movable object).
VIEW	Regular matchline text is considered as part of the VIEW main geometry for regular matchlines. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the matchline text is treated as individual frames, but do not move independently of the VIEW.
VIEW	When advanced matchlines are used in matchline LL-OFF mode, and the Placement mode of the VIEW is set to Don't move, the matchline labels are treated as individual frames, but do not move independently of the VIEW.

Draw Element

Implementation Rule

ADIM

ARC

CIRC

DMND

ELLI

ETRI

GLAB

GRDRLR

HEXA

ITABL

LDIM

OUTL

PDIM

RDIM

RECT

REGN

SLAB

STRA

TABL

VIEW

The whitespace calculation includes element line type geometry. The line type geometry is simplified to a solid block when the whitespace calculation is performed to account for deviances in the line.

The following rules should be noted for each element type:

GLAB - The line type can be modified for the leader line and the frame line. The line type of the label’s frame is supported, the leader line is not supported.
GRDRLR - The line type can be modified for the axial line type.
ADIM/LDIM - The line type can be modified for the projection line and the dimension line. The dimension line type is supported, the projection line type is not supported.
PDIM/RDIM - The line type can be modified for the crosshair line, projection line and dimension line. All three line types are supported.
REGN - The line type can be modified for the frame line.
SLAB - The line type can be modified for the leader line and the frame line. The line type of the TXTM based SLAB’s frame is supported, the leader line is not supported.
ITABL/TABL - The line type can be modified for the border line and the row line, whitespace calculation is only required for the border line.
VIEW - The line type can be modified for the matchline and the frame line. Both line types are supported.

ADIM

DESSYM

PDIM

RDIM

The only available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer setting is Placement mode with a fixed value of Don’t move.

ADIM

GLAB

LDIM

REGN

SLAB

VIEW

If a connection line, projection line or object geometry is not visible on the drawing canvas, the element is ignored by the whitespace calculation. Only the hidden element is ignored by the whitespace calculation. For example:

If an LDIM projection line is hidden, it is ignored (not the complete LDIM).
If an LDIM dimension line is hidden, it is ignored (not the complete LDIM). The projection line(s) may be visible and calculated.
If a label leader line is hidden, it is ignored (not the complete label).

The supported methods for hiding elements are:

Line Type on/off
Visibility on/off
Hidden layers
Hidden styles
Hidden annotation mode

ADIM

LDIM

Priority is given to avoiding intersecting SLAB/GLAB connection lines when the whitespace calculation is performed.

For example: An SLAB connection line intersects with an LDIM projection line to avoid intersecting with another SLAB connection line.

ARC

CIRC

DMND

ELLI

ETRI

EXTIMG

GRDRLR

HEXA

ITABL

MRKP

OUTL

RECT

STRA

SYMB

TABL

TEXP

The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are:

Optimal insertion distance
Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user))
Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value)
Placement priority
Relation to view

ARC

CIRC

DMND

ELLI

ETRI

GLAB

GRDRLR

HEXA

IMAGE

ITABL

LDIM

MRKP

OUTL

RECT

SLAB

STRA

SYMB

TABL

TEXP

If Blanking is set to Yes, the annotation is more likely be positioned on grey space or red space, if this is the best annotation position.

Note:
Annotations with the Blanking property set to Yes receive 10% of the base A-RS penalty.

ARC

CIRC

DMND

ELLI

ETRI

HEXA

IMAGE

ITABL

MRKP

OUTL

GRDRLR

RECT

STRA

SYMB

TABL

TEXP

The Placement mode of elements that are associated with model items using intelligent grip points are set to Don’t move, with the exception of LDIM, GLAB and SLAB elements.

BACKINGSHEET

The backing sheet cells are detected when the whitespace calculation is performed.

If the view element is contained within a single backing sheet cell, all annotations are positioned within the cell when the whitespace calculation is performed.

If the view element is positioned across two or more backing sheet cells or outside of the drawing canvas, an additional margin of +100mm is applied (measured from the outer edge of the view) to allow for positioning of annotations when the whitespace calculation is performed.

CONNCT

The whitespace calculation includes element line type geometry.

Line types are respected and simplified.
Shields are not simplified (but their line type is respected and simplified).
Glyphs (both segment glyphs and jumping glyphs) and text are simplified to rectangles.
Jumpings without glyphs (gaps) are ignored. However, annotations are not placed in the gap, and connection lines are not placed through the gap when the whitespace calculation is performed.

In the example:

Connector 1 includes text and segment glyphs.

Connector 2 is represented with a custom line type (which is wider than the default line type) and the jumping is represented by a gap.

Connector 3 includes a shield which is represented with a custom line type (which is wider than the default line type) and the jumping is represented by a glyph.

CONNCT

The Placement mode of elements that are intelligently connected with CONNCT elements are set to Don’t move. For example, SYMB elements. The placement mode of the connected element cannot be modified.

If the connected element is disconnected from the CONNCT element, the placement mode reverts to the value prior to connection.

DGROUP

The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are:

Anno Intersections Allowed
Optimal insertion distance
Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user))
Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value)
Placement priority
Relation to view

DGROUP

The symbols contained in the DGROUP are simplified into individual filled frames, this allows for the whitespace in the DGROUP to be utilized by other annotations during optimization.

The example displays three individually filled frames which are contained in the DGROUP. Any movement of the DGROUP will result in all of the simplified frames being moved as one.

GLAB

SLAB

The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are:

Dog leg creation
Dog leg removal
Minimum AP distance
Optimal insertion distance
Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user))
Placement mode
Placement priority
Relation to view
X-Angs

GLAB

SLAB

By default, manually created gaps are removed for connection line intersections when the whitespace calculation is performed.

GLAB

SLAB

Annotation alignment functionality is only available for GLAB and SLAB elements.

GLAB

SLAB

Annotations are positioned using the least amount of connection line intersections when the whitespace calculation is performed, this is one of many criteria and not the most important one.

The example displays an annotation that is positioned above an annotation which uses a single connection line intersection. The optimal distance setting would position the annotation below the bottom two annotations, this is not used because there would be two connection line intersections.

GLAB

SLAB

Annotations can be positioned using the least amount of red space intersections when the whitespace calculation is performed, this is one of many criteria and not the most important one. Functionality is also available to position the annotation with the least amount of the connection line within the grey space.

If the A-GS overlap and the A-RS overlap are set to zero, the functionality is not available.

The example displays an annotation that is positioned with the minimum amount of red space intersections with the least amount of the connection line within the grey space.

GLAB

SLAB

If the connection line is offset from the element attachment point, the offset value is preserved when the whitespace calculation is performed.

GLAB

If the connection line is offset from the annotation symbol, the offset is removed when the whitespace calculation is performed and the Connection Point Offset attribute value is set to Standard.

A user message displays indicating the problem.

Connection lines which are offset from the annotation symbol can only be preserved for SLAB elements.

GLAB

SLAB

By Element Annotation Placement

Annotations are positioned using the direction of the annotation attached to the model element.

The following settings must be applied:

The Placement direction angle value is set to By element.
The Placement direction interval value is set to By element.
The Leader line visibility value is set to No.
The Placement mode is set to Free.
The annotation is attached to one of the supported model element types.

Note:
Make sure that the Annotation to Annotation spacing is smaller than the gap between the red space of the associated element and the label during WGSTYL setup. If this is not the case, an A-RS violation is automatically incurred as there is no adjustment perpendicular to the direction.

The example displays an annotation that is attached to a structural model element and positioned on top of an intersecting structural element. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the annotation is moved along the attached structural model element.

The supported element types and their key calculation points are:

FTUB, STRT, DUCT - arrive position (APOS) and leave position (LPOS).
GENSEC - start position (POSS) and end position (POSE). Only GENSEC with SPINE consisting of exactly two points is supported.
SCTN, HFLANG, HSTIFF, HPILLR - start position (POSS) and end position (POSE).
CWBRAN - head position (HPOS) and tail position (TPOS). Only CWBRAN with RPATH consisting of exactly two points is supported.
CTRAY - first and second PPoint (PPOS1 and PPOS2).
BRAN - when the annotation is attached directly to BRAN and has a valid TUBI element as the first member, it is assumed that the label describes that TUBI. The key calculation points are head position (HPOS) of the BRAN element and leave position (LPOS) of the TUBI element.
Any element under a BRAN, which generates TUBI - when the annotation is attached to an element under a BRAN (for example, ELBO or TEE, with the exception of attachment type elements like ATTA), if the next element in that BRAN is TUBI, it is assumed that the label describes that TUBI. The key calculation points are leave position (LPOS) of the attached model element and leave position (LPOS) of the TUBI.

Note:
If the key points of the attached model element are positioned outside of the view frame, and the view clipping is set to on, the annotation is moved along the attached model element and positioned inside the view frame.

GLAB

SLAB

Label hyperlink indicators are ignored by the whitespace calculation.

GLAB

TXTM based SLAB

The whitespace calculation for GLAB and TXTM based SLAB elements uses the frame (if visible) or the text (if the frame is not visible).

GLAB

TXTM based SLAB

The connection line is attached to the nearest corner of the label if all frame sides are visible. Otherwise the Draw algorithm for automatic frame corner selection is respected, which may result in attaching the CONL to a corner which is not the nearest one.

GLAB

TXTM based SLAB

The dog leg connection line direction is parallel to the text baseline.

GRDRLR

The GRDRLR element placement does not move when either:

The owning VIEW element is not orthogonal.
The GRDRLR element direction is the same as the owning VIEW element.

When the GRDRLR element placement can move, the placement direction is perpendicular to the direction along which it is placed.

IMAGE

ITABL

MRKP

OLAY

SYMB

SYMB based SLAB

TABL

TEXP

The whitespace calculation uses an element frame which contains all of the primitives.

For example, The whitespace calculation for an LDIM that contains multiple annotations uses a single rectangular frame.

The connection line is not included in the whitespace calculation for a SYMB based SLAB.

LDIM

The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are:

Minimum AP distance
Optimal insertion distance
Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value)
Placement priority
Relation to view

LDIM

The whitespace calculation uses an element frame which contains the dimension line and the dimension line annotation.

The whitespace calculation uses individual frames for the dimension projection lines and the projection line annotations.

The red rectangles from both the dimension line and the projection line primitives are considered at the same time (not independently).

LDIM

The dimension line main geometry is split into individual frames to allow projection lines/overshoots to pass through when the whitespace calculation is performed.

The centre point of the split channel is located at the projection line attachment point. The split channel width is calculated as 2 x Minimum Annotation Spacing (MAS) with an additional 2 x Offset Value.

Note:
If the MAS setting is too large (for example, over 3 mm) the dimension line main geometry is not split and channels are not created for projection lines.

LDIM

The LDIM placement direction is fixed to the direction of the associated projection line.

LDIM

Clearance values are only respected when both the following conditions are met:

The Placement mode is Don't move
The clearance value is equal to or more than 6mm.

LDIM

LDIM elements behave in the following way if the Placement mode is set to Prefer original position or Free:

If an annotation is moved from the original position when the whitespace calculation is performed, the preference is to move it closer to the attachment point.
The annotation is flipped to the opposite side of the attached element if calculated as the optimal annotation position.
If the annotation position is restricted by the boundary of the attached elements, the Placement direction property displays the Intervals properties. LDIM projection lines must be hidden in order to be restricted by the boundaries of attached elements.

The Intervals (intrinsic) and Intervals (resolved) properties display the available limits for the annotation position when the whitespace calculation is performed, measured from the current position of the annotation.

If the annotation is positioned outside of the boundary of the attached elements, the Placement mode property is automatically set to Don’t move when the whitespace calculation is performed.

LDIM

The LDIM element Placement mode property cannot be set to optimize connection line length. An error message is displayed summarizing the problem.

LDIM

Chained linear dimensions that are created as a sequence of separate LDIM elements are processed as a cluster when the whitespace calculation is performed. The clustered elements are moved together in the same way that a single chained LDIM element is moved, this avoids each LDIM being moved to a different area of white space on the drawing canvas.

The following conditions must be met to consider the clustering of separate LDIMs when the whitespace calculation is performed:

The LDIM must have at least one dimension point.
The dimension line direction and the projection line direction must be well defined.
The LDIM Placement mode must not be set to Don't move, either explicitly (because of its placement mode in the database), or implicitly (because of other properties).
The LDIM must not have a user-defined placement direction interval or a finite, intrinsic placement direction interval.

The following conditions must be met to create a cluster of separate LDIMs when the whitespace calculation is performed:

The LDIMs must be in the same VIEW (or REGION).
The LDIMs must have the same projection line direction.
The LDIMs must have at least one common dimension point. The distance between the dimension points is measured perpendicular to the projection lines.

The projection lines must overlap, at least partially. The following example is not processed as a cluster.

If the dimension line is continuous, the dimension point positions must not exceed the maximum separation value which is a non-configurable value of 0.1mm. The following example is processed as a cluster.

Overlapping dimension lines are processed as a cluster and repositioned. The example displays overlapping dimension lines and the repositioned LDIMs when the whitespace calculation is performed.

When the whitespace calculation is performed, the position of a cluster of separate LDIMs is calculated using the best overall position on the drawing canvas and the minimum amount of dimension line and projection line intersections.

The example displays a drawing which contains a cluster of separate LDIMs.

When the whitespace calculation is performed:

the individual LDIM (1052) positioned below the drawing is moved above the drawing.
the cluster of separate LDIMs (1195, 5060) positioned below the drawing are staggered.
the cluster of separate LDIMs (771, 2162, 2063) positioned to the right of the drawing are staggered and moved to the left of the drawing to reduce the number of projection line and dimension line intersections. The staggered cluster maintains the internal projection line/dimension line clearances.

If a cluster of separate LDIMs is moved to the opposite side of the drawing, the position of the text, in relation to the dimension line, is retained.

LDIM with leader line

When a leader line is visible for an LDIM or LDIM cluster, the main geometry for dimension lines is divided into two separate areas when the whitespace calculation is performed:

The area covering the dimension line and its terminator glyphs. In the example, this is represented by three rectangles covering the dimension line and its terminator glyphs.
The area covering the dimension text with its leader line. In the example, this is represented by three rectangles covering the dimension text.

Separating the dimension text (with its leader line) from the dimension line enables the checking of intersections with projection lines and projection line channels. In the example, projection line channels are represented by four green rectangles.

There are three types of collision that can be identified:

Owned Channels - The dimension text geometry (with its leader line) intersects with an adjacent channel. This intersection type restricts the movement of the LDIM (or LDIM cluster) to the Highest positive, +Infinity range. In the example, note the channel for Design Point 2, the text intersects the channel.
Other Channels - The dimension text geometry (with its leader line) intersects with a channel that is not adjacent to the dimension line. This intersection type restricts the movement of the LDIM (or LDIM cluster) to the Highest negative, -Infinity or Highest positive, +Infinity range. In the example, note the channel for Design Point 2, the leader line for Design Point 3 intersects the channel.
Projection Lines - The text geometry (with its leader line) intersects with a projection line. This intersection type restricts the movement of the LDIM (or LDIM cluster) to Don't move. When the collision is detected, a user message displays indicating the problem.

In the example, note the projection line for Design Point 3, the leader line for Design Point 3 intersects the projection line.

REGN

OLAY

VIEW

The available AVEVA E3D Whitespace Optimizer settings are:

Optimal insertion distance
Placement direction (Angle and Intervals (user))
Placement mode (without optimize connection line length value)
Placement priority

REGN

VIEW

If the placement mode is set to Don't move, child elements are moved (if necessary) when the whitespace calculation is performed.

If the placement mode is set to Prefer original position or Free, each VIEW/REGN element and its child elements are treated as a single element when the whitespace calculation is performed.

SLAB

If the connection line is offset from the annotation symbol, the connection line offset value is preserved when:

the Connection Point Offset attribute value is defined using explicit X and Y values, and
the connection line is connected to the annotation symbol geometry.

In all other cases, the offset is removed when the whitespace calculation is performed and the Connection Point Offset attribute value is set to Standard.

A user message displays indicating the problem.

Note:
The Allowed Quadrants functionality can be used on the TXTM/SYTM to avoid overlapping the connection line with the annotation label geometry when the whitespace calculation is performed.

SLAB with multiple connection points

The Dog leg creation/Dog leg removal value of SLAB elements with multiple connection points on the referenced SYTM is set to a fixed value of False. The Dog leg creation/Dog leg removal value cannot be modified.

The Placement mode of SLAB elements with multiple connection points on the referenced SYTM is set to a fixed value of Don’t move. The placement mode value cannot be modified.

SYTM (circular)

The dog leg connection line can be any orthogonal direction with respect to the symbol and may be rotated if the symbol is rotated.

A circular SYTM contains the annotation text within a circle. For example:

The allowed quadrants are evaluated, the connections lines can be either horizontal or vertical.

The example displays a dog leg connection to a circular SYTM with the Allowed Quadrant value set to Top left/Top right.

SYTM (non-circular)

A non-circular SYTM contains the annotation text in an object that is not a circle. For example:

The directions are detected from the quadrants, one direction for each pair of adjacent quadrants. If the directions are parallel to the text baseline only, or perpendicular to the text baseline only, those directions are used. If the directions are mixed (for example, all for quadrants are allowed), only the parallel directions are used.

VIEW

There are three different operating modes for matchlines which can cause the matchline text to behave differently (the following applies to a VIEW element which is set to Don’t move):

Regular matchlines mode – this is the default matchlines mode. The text is considered as part of the VIEW main geometry. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the matchline text labels are treated as individual frames, but do not move independently of the VIEW. In this mode, the whitespace settings of the VIEW affect the behavior of the matchlines text label behavior (for example, Anno Intersections Allowed).
Advanced matchlines mode – the matchline text representation is changed to an SLAB element, and its behavior when the whitespace calculation is performed depends on the leader line setting specified for the matchline:
- Matchline LL-OFF mode – in this mode the text behavior is similar to the regular matchlines mode (which means the whitespace settings of the VIEW are applied in the same way as for regular matchlines).
- Matchline LL-ON mode – in this mode the matchline text uses SLAB representation along with the default AVEVA Whitespace style values (which means it is not configurable, and does not use the related whitespace settings of the VIEW). In this mode the text SLAB is considered as Don’t move.
  
  Note:
  If the VIEW is in any mode other than Don’t move, all its geometry (including SLABs, matchlines, matchline text labels) is optimized as a whole (which means they are considered as a single movable object).

VIEW

Regular matchline text is considered as part of the VIEW main geometry for regular matchlines. When the whitespace calculation is performed, the matchline text is treated as individual frames, but do not move independently of the VIEW.

VIEW

When advanced matchlines are used in matchline LL-OFF mode, and the Placement mode of the VIEW is set to Don't move, the matchline labels are treated as individual frames, but do not move independently of the VIEW.

AVEVA™ Unified Engineering

Element Implementation Rules

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Element Implementation Rules

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