Creating Text Templates

Unlike SYTMs, TXTMs have no members. Instead, they hold text strings (in their BTEX attributes) to which users can refer when creating GLABs to add to their drawings. These text strings can include #‑coded intelligent text, which is replaced by the corresponding attribute settings from the Design DB when the labels are displayed on the drawing sheets.

Each TXTM automatically includes a Label Frame, although this can be switched off if it is not required.

In order to see the effects of adding individual TXTMs as you build up the LALB contents, open a 2D View window and add the LALB to the display. You may find it easier to position and align TXTMs if you display a working grid with a fairly small spacing (say 10 mm) and set the snap function on; or you may prefer just to position them by eye.

Create each TXTM as follows:

1. Select Create > Text Template and give the template a meaningful name.

2. Use the cursor to position the origin of the TXTM at the required point. (Nothing will appear in the displayed view until you have set the BTEX attribute.)

   You will be presented with a Modify Text form.

   

3. Enter the required text using the keyboard or insert intelligent text codes, formatting your text using the options above the text box.

Inserting Intelligent Text Codes

4. To incorporate a #-coded intelligent text item, call up the Intelligent Text gadget by clicking the Intelligent Texts button.

5. Use the Codewords menu options to select the Design attribute whose setting is to be inserted when the TXTM is referenced by a GLAB.

6. Select the required codeword, copy it, and then paste it into the text box on the Dynamic Text form.

   The Codewords menu includes, in a categorised hierarchy, short descriptions of all attributes whose settings are most likely to be needed.

7. If you want to incorporate any attribute not covered by the listed options, type its name, preceded by the # character, into the text box.

To save unnecessary typing, you can copy text from an existing TXTM into the TXTM that you are currently defining.

Copying Text from an Existing TXTM

To save unnecessary typing, you can copy text from an existing TXTM into the TXTM that you are currently defining.

8. To do so, first ensure that the TXTM that you wish to copy is visible in a 2D View and then click the Insert Text button.

9. When prompted, use the cursor to identify the TXTM whose BTEX is to be copied.

   The text will be inserted after the highlighted line in the edit window.

10. When the required text is displayed in the text box, click Apply to copy the string to the BTEX attribute of the TXTM.

    The text and label frame (if switched on) will appear in the displayed LALB at the position you defined in Step 2.