The process for scaling annotations in AutoCAD 2008 is quite different than in the past. You’ll have to adjust your thinking a little… not because it’s harder, but because it is so much more logical! We’re not used to that when it comes to annotations and scaling!
In order to use annotation scaling in AutoCAD 2008 you simply apply two (very logical) properties to your annotative objects:
- The scale at which you want to represent your model (i.e. 1:50, 1/8”=1’, etc.)
- The height/size you want your annotations (i.e. 3mm, 3/32”, etc)
This is the same type of information that you needed previously. However, in the past you couldn’t apply this information directly. You had to use it to calculate properties that AutoCAD could understand. For example, if you wanted to scale your model at 1/8”=1’ and you wanted your Modelspace text and dimensions to be 3/32” tall, you had to apply a text height of 9” (12x8x3/32) and a dimension scale factor of 96 (8x12).
The annotation scaling process in AutoCAD 2008 is MUCH simpler! Just set your annotation scale and then create your annotations at logical sizes. AutoCAD does all the necessary Modelspace conversions for you! The following image shows the Properties window with a Text object selected. Notice that the traditional Text Height property has been renamed to Model Text Height for annotative text objects and a new Paper Text Height property has been added. By specifying the Annotative Scale (1/8”=1’) and the Paper Text Height (3/32”), AutoCAD automatically determined a Model text height of 9”.
So, how do you set the annotation scale? Using the new Annotation Scale control on the status bar! The Annotation Scale control is displayed when Model space is active; either on the Model tab or within a Modelspace viewport on a layout.
Status bar when the Model tab is selected:
Status bar when a layout viewport is selected or active:
Selecting the Annotation Scale control displays the scale list. This is the same list of scales that you can view and edit using the SCALELISTEDIT command. When creating new annotations or applying the Annotative property to existing annotations, first set the Annotation Scale to the value at which you want your annotations to be represented (you can also set it using the CANNOSCALE system variable). By doing so, you are (without realizing it) telling AutoCAD to calculate the scale factor. For example, setting the Annotation Scale to 1/8”=1’ is secretly telling AutoCAD that the scale factor is 96 (8x12).
Then, when you create or modify text and dimension objects by applying a logical Paper Text Height, AutoCAD is secretly multiplying the Paper Text Height by the scale factor to create the Model Text Height. For example, 3/32”x96=9”. Isn’t that exactly what you have been doing manually??? There is nothing tricky going on here! The new Annotation Scaling functionality in AutoCAD 2008 is simply removing the intermediate steps so that you can think more logically and work more efficiently!
The main steps to remember at this point are:
- Set your Annotation Scale to a reasonable value when you create a new annotative object or when you enable the Annotative property of an existing object.
- Create your annotative objects at their real size (Paper Text Height).
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