Labels and Labelling

Labels are a form of drawing annotation, comprising text and/or graphics, associated with Design items or Views. The Label elements are the General Label (GLAB), and the Special Label (SLAB). SLABs are similar to GLABs except that they are generated from templates rather than individually.

Label elements are owned by Layers or Views; SLAB templates (Text Label Templates, (TXTMs)) exist as members of Label Libraries (LALBs). The relevant part of the Draft database hierarchy is shown below.

Figure 13:1 Draft Database Hierarchy - Label Elements

Labels may be created individually, or automatically following the definition of a set of rules controlling the elements to which the Labels are to be applied (see Autotagging).

Figure 13:2.: A Typical Label Element illustrates a typical Label, showing its principal features and attributes.

Figure 13:2 A Typical Label Element

The main features of a Label are:

• Label Attachment Point. The 2D VIEW position equivalent to a user-specified p-point or distance along a p-line or (by default) the origin of the Design item with which the Label is associated.

• Label Origin. A position within the body of the Label that is used to position it.

• Label Position. A 2D position within the VIEW at which the Label’s origin is placed; this may be an absolute VIEW position or a position relative to the Label’s attachment point.

• Leader Line. A line from the connection point to the Label attachment point.

• Leader Line Connection Point. A position, defined relative to the Label origin, to which the leader line is drawn.